Monument at Fort Christina Park, Wilmington

Set on the banks of the Christina River in Wilmington, Fort Christina Park marks the site of the first Swedish settlement in North America. In 1638, Swedish and Finnish settlers aboard the Kalmar Nyckel and Fogel Grip landed at what became known as The Rocks. After securing the land from the Lenape, they established Fort Christina-named after Queen Christina of Sweden-as the heart of the colony of New Sweden. It was the first permanent European settlement in the Delaware Valley and laid the foundations for what would eventually become the city of Wilmington.

To commemorate the 300th anniversary of this historic arrival, the State of Delaware established Fort Christina Park in 1938. The park preserves the location of the original fort and the rocky wharf where the first settlers stepped ashore. The same year, a monument was unveiled to honor the Swedish-American heritage of the region. Crafted by renowned sculptor Carl Milles, the monument was a gift from Sweden to the United States. It features a dynamic granite composition depicting the Kalmar Nyckel riding atop a cresting wave, symbolizing the journey and arrival of the settlers.

The monument was dedicated on June 27, 1938, in a rain-soaked ceremony attended by President Roosevelt, Swedish royalty, and other dignitaries. Over 20,000 people gathered, underscoring the strong ties between Sweden and Delaware. Bas-reliefs on the monument depict scenes from the colony’s early history and its impact on the region.

Although Fort Christina fell to the Dutch in 1655 and later came under English control, the original Swedish community remained a cultural anchor. Over time, that riverside settlement evolved into the city of Wilmington, but the park and its monument continue to honor the enduring legacy of the Swedish settlers who helped establish it.