INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The Indian River County Historical Society honored the ancestral roots of the Hallstrom family over the weekend with a traditional Swedish celebration at the Hallstrom Farmstead, listed on the National Register of Historical Places. The Hallstrom House and its surrounding five-acre property, was willed in 1999 to the IRCHS by the late Ruth Hallstrom, a charter member of the Society, which has since meticulously documented the family’s history.
In Sweden Dec. 13 is Santa Lucia Day, when the eldest daughter wakes her parents wearing a crown of candles, symbolizing warmth, hope and life, and serves them coffee and sweet rolls.
“So when we were making our calendar of events we saw that this Saturday was the 13th and thought it would be perfect for our annual tree lighting,” said IRCHS board member Carolyn Bayless.
Miniature Christmas trees in each of the rooms were decorated with traditional Swedish ornaments such as mythical Yule goats and bearded gnomes, snowflakes and cookie cutters.
Docents were on hand to expound on the history of the beautiful home, which is filled with antiques, postcards and family correspondence dating back to when the family first emigrated from Sweden. Many of the items are original, some were restored, and others were brought in to match what might have been in the home a century ago. Ruth’s father, Axel Hallstrom, originally cultivated pineapples on the 40-acre property he purchased in 1909; the formal residence was completed in 1918.
“Ruth was just 2 years old when her mother, Emily, died so she really was the lady of this house for a long time,” said Ruth Stanbridge, Indian River County Historian. “It was her love for the home and their roots which gave Ruth the desire to see the property remain as a living historical tribute to their Swedish heritage and their standing in the community.”
Linda Rye, Susan Smith, Sharon Gorry and Bobbie Mohn, lifelong friends and 1967 Vero Beach High School graduates, said they had passed the house numerous times over the years, but had never been inside.
“It was wonderful but I am going to have to come back,” said Rye. “My daughter says every time we pass by that we have to go on the tour.”
“There are so many things that remind me of the things I grew up with,” said Smith, pointing out items that triggered her own memories. “The luggage, the mink and all the things like we used to have in my parent’s house are inside here.”
Hildie Tripson, IRCHS immediate past president, said having visitors strolling through the home on St. Lucia Day was exactly what Ruth Hallstrom would have wanted. “She insisted on keeping the property alive for future generations. This is over 100 years of living history that you are walking through. It is like a real-life time capsule and the Historical Society’s mission is to restore, protect and advocate historical treasures like this.”
Tours are available 1 to 4 p.m. weekdays and the last Saturday of the month.
