Independent Order of Svithiod

The Independent Order of Svithiod was founded on 3 December 1880 by a group of eight men who met at Bowman's Hall, now 370 W. Chicago Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, United States. Its current Grand Master is Daniel Schubring. Its stated objectives are:[1]

• To unite in bonds of fraternal harmony and benevolent cooperation men and women of Scandinavian birth or extraction, and their wives and husbands regardless of nationality, who are not less than sixteen years of age, who are of good moral character, and who are dedicated to promote and preserve the heritage of the Scandinavian people in the United States. The juvenile division of the order shall be from birth until the age of sixteen.
• To promote Scandinavian heritage, culture, and education.
• To promote and preserve the principles, traditions and heritage of the Scandinavian people in the United States. To provide fraternal and social activities for members.
• To maintain a Benevolent Assistance Program and also to maintain a Scholarship Fund for its members.