Prince Eugen, Duke of Närke

Prince Eugen, Duke of Närke was a Swedish prince, who was a noted artist, art collector, and patron. He was the youngest son of King Oscar II and Sofia of Nassau.

Aprons as mandatory social attire

In parts of Sweden like Dalecarlia, women were expected to wear an apron at all times outside the farm; failing to do so or wearing the wrong one could be seen as immoral or inappropriate, even leading to being barred from church.

Festive red shirts with luxury buttons

In the Lule region, men would sometimes wear a special red shirt or jersey known as a "kreop" on the first day of a church feast, which featured shiny, expensive metal buttons.

Fiddles on every farm

During the mid-1800s, the fiddle was the most common folk instrument, and it is believed there was a fiddle on every farm by the end of the century.

The dominant polska dance

The polska was the dominant and most characteristic dance music style for fiddlers during the mid-19th century.

Horse-drawn posting and boat transport

In the mid-19th century, travelers used the government-organized posting system (skyssvesenet) to hire horses and carriages from designated farms, with a boy accompanying them to return the equipment. Along the coast, travelers relied on boat transport (båtskyss) where routes were not connected by road.

Steamboat travel vs. carriages

In the 1870s, travel by steamboat between Umeå and Stockholm was considered more comfortable and cheaper than using horse-drawn carriages on poor country roads, taking four to five days to complete.

Homes and heating with cast-iron stoves

In many rural homes, the main room served as a multi-purpose living space where the family gathered around a hearth or, increasingly, a cast-iron stove, which was considered a luxury item. Kitchens began to separate from the living area, though in many homes, the stove remained the primary source of heat for the entire household.

Iron stoves replaced open hearths

During the late 19th century, iron kitchen stoves became popular and more affordable, allowing households to heat homes more efficiently and improve cooking compared to traditional open hearths. These stoves were often so hot that residents began using double glazing on windows to keep ice from forming on the glass during winter.

Eating sour milk from common troughs

Peasant families often ate sour milk, known as fillebunke, from a large common wooden trough using individual wooden spoons. They would decorate the surface with ginger and brown sugar before eating.

Hard rye bread stored on ceiling poles

Families often stored hard rye bread on poles hung from the kitchen ceiling, sometimes baking it only four times a year. In Jonsered, children dipped their dry bread into tall cups of coffee to soften it before eating.

Timber workers’ expensive taste

In 1874, some timber workers in Norrland were so prosperous that they treated themselves to champagne, leading to reports of shortages at local inns after the workers drank the entire supply.

Worker earnings in 1874

An ordinary day laborer in 1874 earned 3 kronor per day, though skilled workers in timber floating could earn significantly more, potentially over 8 kronor per day during the summer.

Agriculture as the primary occupation

In 1870, two-thirds of the population worked in agriculture, making small-scale subsistence farming the most common practice.

Daily wages and seasonal earnings

In 1874, a standard daily worker earned 3 kronor per day, while specialized timber floaters could earn over 8 kronor daily during the peak summer season.