By Molly Given<\/p>\n
\u2018Dancing Queen\u2019 turns 50 this year, and the American Swedish Historical Museum<\/a> is celebrating with a party fit for royalty.<\/p>\n As a venue dedicated to preserving and sharing Swedish culture \u2014 including the global pop legacy of ABBA \u2014 the museum is marking the occasion with an “ExtrABBAganza Dance Party” this Saturday, March 21, from 7 to 10 p.m. The evening comes at a time when the ASHM is marking its own 100th anniversary and aims to blend history and pop magic under one roof.<\/p>\n The party will feature dancing and costume contests, a drag queen homage to ABBA (performed by Summer St. Cartier, Miss Troy, Amerie Jameson and Morgan Morgan Morgan), raffle prizes, a Swedish-inspired retro food buffet and a cash bar with themed cocktails and mocktails. Tickets come out to be $35 for members and $40 non-members.<\/p>\n All the fun also helps celebrate the impact of this venue during its anniversary year.<\/p>\n Celebrating a century of Swedish heritage<\/p>\n Originally built in 1926 for the Sesquicentennial Exposition, the ASHM features a unique interior organized into a series of galleries, each highlighting different facets of Scandinavian impact in America. From the early days of the New Sweden Colony to explorations of women\u2019s history, scientific achievements, and traditional Swedish craft arts, the exhibits offer an extensive look at culture and innovation. Today, the museum continues to be a cultural hub, hosting everything from Swedish holiday celebrations to informative lectures and hands-on family programs.<\/p>\n It\u2019s the oldest Swedish museum in the United States, and it sits on land that was once part of a 17th-century Swedish colony\u2014long before Philadelphia even existed. The building itself is a blend of worlds: modeled after a Swedish manor house but with architectural touches inspired by George Washington\u2019s Mount Vernon. Inside, visitors will find highlights like a gold-leaf \u201cGolden Map Room,\u201d and a hands-on Pippi Longstocking exhibit. There is also a series of intricate murals telling the story of Swedish settlers arriving in the Delaware Valley.<\/p>\n A Swedish sauna adventure<\/p>\n Locals can see all that and more during their visit \u2014 and for those who can\u2019t make it to the party this Saturday night, the American Swedish Historical Museum also has the Ebba Sparre Sauna Collective<\/a> pop-up on site.<\/p>\n Open now through March 29, three saunas have been installed on the terrace of the museum. An ode to Nordic sauna culture, Philadelphians can book sessions for up to 4 people in a sauna for 45 minutes ($120) or 30 minutes ($100).<\/p>\n Guests are provided with complimentary towels, compostable swimsuit bags, and storage lockers, but some extra goodies like sauna hats, socks, long-sleeve t-shirts, and sheet masks are also available for purchase. The best part? \u00a0Each reservation comes with free admission to the museum. \u00a0Scout is donating 10% of all revenue back to the ASHM, and bookings can be made on Ebba Sparre’s official site<\/a>.<\/p>\n