Landing of The Swedes

New Castle County · dedicated 2008 · Ft. Christina Park, 1110 E 7th Street, Wilmington

In late 1637, the new Sweden Company sent out its first expedition to America to establish a Swedish presence in the New World. Sailing in two ships, the Kalmar Nyckel and the Fogel Grip, the expedition landed near this site in March 1638. Under Peter Minuit’s leadership, Fort Christina was erected to protect the new settlement. Named after Queen Christina of Sweden, the fort was home to approximately 25 colonists. It was the first permanent European settlement in what is now the State of Delaware. Fort Christina served as the new colony’s administrative and commercial center as the Swedes expanded their influence throughout the Delaware Valley. Known as New Sweden, the colony was conquered by the Dutch in 1655 before the English took over the region in 1664. Today, the City of Wilmington traces its roots from this first settlement of the Swedes.

John Carter Brown Library, Brown University

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