The purpose of the archives the purpose, as described in the incorporation document, is for "educational, historical and research to preserve and display and make available records, documents, works of art, science, inventions and manufacture by persons of swedish ancestry and to promote public knowledge of an interest in the history of persons of scandinavian and particularly swedish ancestry." the main purpose is to preserve the records of the vasa order of america and its members. we have set up a family register where all vasa members and their families will be chronicled. the register is an important phase of our archival activities by assisting researchers find their ancestors. we aim at making the contents of the building interesting to all visitors. therefore we have accepted a number of artifacts which relate to swedish and scandinavian immigrant history. these items provide visual and physical connections to past generations.