Swedish publishing company, Svenska Boktryckeriet (Swedish Book Printing Works) was established in Worcester during the mid 1800's. In August 1886, using this establishment, James Forsstedt and Eric Knutson published the newspaper Worcester Veckoblad, (Worcester Weekly: Aug 21, 1886 - Nov 6, 1887.) This newspaper was renamed Skandinavia in November 1887: (Nov 18, 1887 - Feb 24, 1918.) Several other Swedish newspapers were being published between 1888-1900, most of which were religious. In 1897, Swedish immigrant and grocer, Hans Trulson along with his son-in-law Karl Svenson, printed a small literary magazine called SVEA (Sweden.) : 1898-1966. In the early 1900's Hans and Karl purchased the Swedish Book Printing Works which was also still publishing the newspaper, Skandinavia. After Hans Trulson died in 1908, his sons Anton and Harold took over and expanded the business. Together with Clara Fredin (secretary), they formed SVEA Publishing Co. and incorporated in 1911. In April 1918, SVEA acquired the publishing organization, Boston's Swedish News, along with its corporate assets. In May of 1918, a fire destroyed the Swedish Book Printing Works and that was when SVEA purchased the business and the newspaper Skandinavia, along with its circulation of 19,000. Within one year, SVEA expanded its newspaper to 16 pages and 8 columns and by 1930, it was the largest and most successful Swedish newspaper in the United States. Its coverage was conservative, with attention to accuracy, never having to defend anything that was written. It published events and happenings of local Swedish people and Swedish businesses. It carried poetry, short stories, commentaries, editorials, obituaries, as well as the local news of the day. Its circulation grew to 36,000 households. SVEA supported many efforts by the Scandinavian people of New England including, raising $21,000 in the name of New England Swedes for the Swedish Famine of 1902; sponsored a "Wings over Norway" drive raising $10,000, SVEA also raised over $6,000 for a Finnish undertaking and over $10,000 was raised for a free bed at the local Swedish Hospital. (Fairlawn Hospital in Worcester, MA.) In 1966, SVEA ended its publication and was purchased by Brooklyn, New York's Nordstjernan-SVEA.
* For more information see: Gå Till Amerika by Charles W. Estus, Sr. and John F. McClymer.
