Finnish Settlers’ Monument, Delaware Valley

Delaware County, PA —The Finnish-American community in the mid-Atlantic faces a monumental task: quite literally, relocating a historical monument that weighs approximately 40,000 pounds. This monument, a gift from Finland to the United States, symbolizes the deep and storied Finnish-American connection we all share.

Originally placed in Crozer Park, Chester, Pennsylvania, half an hour’s drive from Philadelphia, the Finnish Settlers’ Monument was moved in 1955 to make way for I-95 construction. Unfortunately, it now rests in a small, neglected park by the highway (and currently is listed on Google as “permanently closed”). The City of Chester’s ongoing economic struggles, culminating in bankruptcy, have sadly left the monument in disrepair. The Finnish American Society of the Delaware Valley (FASDV) has been diligently working to secure its future and has identified Governor Printz Park in Tinicum Township, PA, as a new home. This move, along with planned restoration and landscaping, will ensure that this historic marker, which represents the ties among Finland, Sweden, and the U.S., is preserved for future generations.

“This stunning monument was originally placed on a lovely hill overlooking a thriving town along the Delaware River, where Finns had cleared land,

farmed, and raised their families 300 years earlier,” said Bill Eaton, a dedicated member of the FASDV affiliate who is helping spearhead this effort. “Much has changed, and this piece of art (and history) deserves a better place.”

Finlandia Foundation National (FFN) proudly supports FASDV in their efforts to preserve the monument, created by renowned sculptor Wäinö Aaltonen. This 11-foot-high granite monument, quarried in Rautalampi and gifted from Finland to the United States in 1938, commemorates the 300th anniversary of Finns’ arrival in the Delaware Valley and has connections to John Morton, a key figure in the signing of the Declaration of Independence. In 2026, we will celebrate the 250th anniversary of that historic document.

The Finnish-American relationship is stronger than ever, with Finland and Sweden’s growing role in NATO and enhanced transatlantic relations. This monument serves as a reminder of the longstanding bond between these nations and the United States—a connection that began centuries ago with the first European settlers in the Delaware Valley. Finlandia Foundation National is honored to be part of this journey to protect and honor this vital link to our shared heritage, and we invite you all to support this monumental task.