The Swedish Cottage in New York's Central Park

The "Swedish Cottage" was first constructed in 1875, in Sweden, and then transported by the Swedish government to the United States to feature as an example of Sweden's superior woodworking craftsmanship, for display at the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia. It was built as a model schoolhouse, and made of Baltic fir.

 

Frederick Law Olmsted, the designer of New York's Central Park, was so fond of this structure that he had it moved to New York after the exposition concluded--where it is presently situated in Central Park (at 79th Street and West Drive). It is approximately between The Great Lawn and The Lake, and near the Turtle Pond. Around the immediate vicinity is also the Shakespeare Garden, the Belvedere Castle, the Delacorte Theater (an open-air theater) and a 38-acre heavily wooded area with hiking trails they call The Ramble.

Atop the Cottage is raised an American and a Swedish flag.

In 1947 the Swedish Cottage became home to the Parks' traveling Marionette Theatre. In 1973 the building was remodeled inside to include a permanent stage, and since then they have put on daily shows, bringing fairy tales to life, enchanting its many youthful visitors.



This is a brochure I picked up while I was there