The Swenson House 2025 Kaffe Fest Mini-House Tour

Entry-Foyer
Welcome to the Swenson House. This house was built in 1910 for William Gray Swenson, (also known as W.G.) and his wife, Shirley Swenson. Mr. Swenson’s uncle was the first Swedish immigrant to Texas. Mr. Swenson graduated from Abilene High in 1897, went to Southwest University, and returned with his degree, an inheritance of $42,000 (about 1.49 million dollars in 2025), and a wife, Shirley.
He promised Shirley that he would build her a house with a grand staircase resembling the staircase at the Brown Palace Hotel in Denver. WG chose the Tiger Oak Wood that you see here in the paneling, the staircase, and even in the dining room. Notice the stripes? This wood is from the Great Lakes and was milled and then sent to Abilene by train. 

Mr. Swenson’s Library/Study/Reading or Meditation Room
This was Mr. Swenson’s Library/Reading Room. Mr. Swenson enjoyed listening to recorded operas and classical music.  The two stained glass panels and the Mission-style window seat are the main focal points. In 1905 the Abilene Power and Light company declared bankruptcy and was purchased by Mr. Swenson and a few others. Under his leadership, 24-hour electrical service became available and electricity was added to a large portion of the Big Country.

The Oval Dining Room – and Kaffe!
Lively conversation was paramount at the Swenson dinner table in the oval dining room as the design allows even the softest voice projects in a way that allows everyone to hear the speaker clearly. 
On the table here, you will see several antiques belonging to the house, including a coffee percolator, cups and saucers, coffee tins, and various kitchen items. Let’s talk about why we are here today: coffee!
During the 19th and early 20th centuries, about 1.3 million Swedes left Sweden for the USA. For many Swedish immigrants, coffee was an integral part of their daily lives. It was a time to stop, slow down, enjoy a warm beverage with family, and talk about their day. It was not only a part of their daily familial lives, but it was also a key to hospitality and a way to signal prosperity.  
Along with a cup of coffee, guests were always offered a baked treat—kaffe med dopp, or “coffee with dunk.” Many Swedes who had been unable to afford expensive flour in their home country offered kaffe med dopp to their friends in America as a “fulfillment of a Swedish peasant dream.” The tradition continued to be passed on to their children. 
According to the Minnesota Historical Society, as time went on coffee became a symbol of Swedish American hospitality. Many of the grandchildren of those early Swedish Americans fondly remember sharing cups of coffee with their grandparents – usually with copious amounts of milk – when they were young, firmly cementing coffee into the cultural heritage of generations of Swedish Americans, like the Swensons. 

The Butler’s Pantry
This area here is the Butler’s Pantry, an area of amazing storage. Mr. Swenson designed this house with the help of architect W.P. Preston. He incorporated storage into many areas of the house as well. Here you see the original breaker box, and over here, their telephone. The Butler’s Pantry was the center of the house and therefore the perfect place for the telephone. 

The Music/Living Room
The piano and most of the furniture in here is original to the house. Each of the Swenson’s children played music, piano or violin. Can you find the television set? Currently, this room is under restoration. The wallpaper from 1928 was detatching from the cheesecloth behind it, all of which were pasted to shiplap. With the help of a local wallpaper company, we had it taken down, and sent samples off to a wallpaper printer that specializes in recreating antique wallpaper. We anticipate that the wallpaper will be back up sometime this spring. It’s a 1928 floral watercolor with different scenes across several panels. 

The Sunroom
This room was added on to the house in 1928. Mr. Swenson was a practical man, and he needed a room that they could open and enjoy the breeze (this was before air conditioning). In here you will find a complementary cup of coffee or hot chocolate and a baked treat. 

We so appreciate you attending this year’s Kaffe Fest and hope you stick around to enjoy lawn games, the kids coloring contest, craft vendors, food trucks, and music. Please feel free to tour the garden, which is cared for by the local Master Gardeners. Keep your eyes out for an orange Tabby cat, that we have nicknamed “Swenson.”

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NOTE: This was a shortened tour of the Swenson House. In many ways, Mr. Swenson was a “founding father” of Abilene, as so many advances and improvements of daily life in Abilene occurred under his guidance. 

In addition to being one of the owners of the utility company, Mr. Swenson was on the board of the bank for many years, owned the ice company, and started the trolley company and service. He also helped get the Methodist Church downtown built and his name appears on stone on the grounds. He cared for his family and community deeply. Thank you for sharing the Swenson House with us today. We are a 501(c)3 non-profit and are run solely by volunteers.