The Foremothers Cafe: Swedish Women’s History in Virtual Reality
The Foremothers Cafe invites AHA members to explore Swedish women’s history in an immersive Virtual Reality space, a Swedish American Women’s History Museum built in VR.
Set in Lund, Sweden in 1918, the museum focuses on Swedish and American suffrage, temperance, and reproductive justice history, centering the experiences of women across the social spectrum, including those on the margins of Swedish society.
This is a working demonstration of what VR makes possible for historical education: primary sources, spatial context, and narrative brought together in ways print and screen cannot replicate. We’d welcome the AHA’s perspective on VR as a serious tool for the discipline.
The Foremothers Cafe is accessible on PC or Mac, no VR headset required, though one enhances the experience. Our space holds up to 70 attendees, making it suitable for groups. Free onboarding sessions will be offered before the event.
Future expansion plans include a 17th century pharmacy and additional spaces exploring the lives of women at the margins of Swedish society.
