Bronck’s Swedish family celebrate borough’s namesake

The new Jonas Bronck Center in Sweden, celebrated the 375th anniversary of Bronck’s arrival in the Bronx on Saturday, August 23. The municipality of Sävsjö includes Komstad, the village where Jonas Bronck was born around 1600. Events included the presentation of a proclamation from the Bronx Borough President, the unveiling of a monument to Jonas Bronck, which has a sister stone in Woodlawn, a seminar about Bronck, and a Mass at the church where he was baptized. The celebrations were attended by Lenny Caro, Bronx Chamber of Commerce president and CEO, Brian G. Andersson, Bronxite and founding director of the Jonas Bronck Center, and Steve Nallen, president of the Jonas Bronck Beer company, in addition to a number of Swedish elected officials and descendents of Jonas Bronck’s family.

The Jonas Bronck Center in Sävsjö, Sweden.

Photo courtesy of Brian Andersson

Jonas Bronck (r), currently residing in Los Angeles, with his family at the celebration in Sävsjö, Sweden. The children pictured here would be the 11th generation descended from Pieter Bronck, Jonas Bronck’s nephew or cousin.

Photo courtesy of Brian Andersson

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Charlie and Audrey Bronk were greeted at the train station by Roy Gustafsson, founder, and Commissioner Brian Andersson, a founding director of the Jonas Bronck Center.

Photo courtesy of Brian Andersson

Brian G. Andersson, 3rd from right, holding Bronx flag with the mayor of Sävsjö, Stefan Gustafsson, 2nd from right. Also pictured: Curt Wrigfors, CEO of the Jonas Bronck Center, Lars Hansson of the Emigrant Institute, Roy Gustafasson, founder of the Jonas Bronck Center, and members of Sävsjö city government.

Photo courtesy of Brian Andersson

Bronx Chamber of Commerce CEO Lenny Caro and Brian Andersson at the newly unveiled Jonas Bronck monument in Sweden. A sister monument exists in Woodlawn in the Bronx.

Photo courtesy of Brian Andersson