Cultural Ambassador

So far, this exhibit has demostrated that Mary Gage Peterson was a college graduate and a civic leader. It will conclude by looking at the ways she was also a cultural ambassador.

Mary Gage Peterson was born on the East Coast and can trace her family back several generations. Her husband, Pehr, was an immigrant from Sweden - so their marriage was likely defined by an exchange of language and customs.

To run the Peterson Nursery, Pehr and Mary Gage Peterson hired exclusively Swedish immigrants. Some of this was practical - it removed language barriers that made communication easier - but it is clear that both Pehr and Mary Gage Peterson enjoyed helping these new immigrants acclaimate to the United States and to learn the language and traditions of this new country.

Even after her husbands death in 1903, Mary Gage Peterson continued to support some of the traditions and customs she adopted from Sweden. For many years, North Park College students, faculty, and staff walked to the Peterson Nursery as part of their celebration of May Day.

Mary Gage Peterson (likely the woman in the black dress, second from the left) hosts a group of North Park students, faculty, and staff in the traditional May Day celebration.