Swede Hall in Rochester, WA, is a historic community center built in 1939 by local Swedish-Finnish immigrants for cultural events, serving as a hub for Swedish-Finnish heritage, including the popular annual Swede Day festival, and is now owned by the Rochester Citizens Group as an affordable rental venue for the Rochester community.
Origins & Construction
Early Roots: The Swedish-Finnish community in Rochester formed the Order of Runeberg (OoR) and initially used a different hall, but they outgrew it.
Building in 1939: In 1939, the community purchased land on Albany Street and built the current wooden hall, a significant effort during the Depression, funded by members like Len Lund.
Purpose & Culture
Community Hub: The hall hosted gatherings, dances (like the Hambo), and traditional Swedish-Finnish meals (like Lutfisk dinners).
Runeberg Lodge: It served as the meeting place for Runeberg Lodge #120 for many years, fostering cultural connection.
Transition to Community Ownership
Membership Decline: By 1968, the OoR’s membership dwindled, and the building faced closure.
Rochester Citizens Group: Local citizens formed the Rochester Citizens Group (RCG) to buy the hall, preserving it as a public space for everyone in Grand Mound and Rochester.
Swede Day Festival
A Beloved Tradition: The RCG helped launch Swede Day (now the Mid-Sommer Festival) in the 1970s, centered around a parade and Swedish meatball lunch at Swede Hall, celebrating the town’s Nordic heritage.
Today
Active Venue: Swede Hall remains a vibrant, rentable venue (accommodating 299 guests) and is managed by the Rochester Citizens Group.
Cultural Center: It continues to host events for the Swedish Finn Historical Society, keeping traditions alive.
