Scandinavian museum celebrates a bright future

The Scandinavian East Coast Museum (SECM) announced a generous donation from a friend with long ties to the organization and celebrated its “Best of the Boro” award at a small gathering at Vesuvio Restaurant last month.

SECM founder Victoria Hofmo said she was very grateful to announce that Walter Johnson, a longtime personal friend, had donated $10,000 to the group at the time of his death.

“It came at a very good time,” she said. “It was very sweet and generous of him to give us the money.”

The museum, which does not have a physical location but rather is a collection of works kept in various places, will use the donation to fund free local events and further showcase Brooklyn’s Scandinavian history.

The group was also voted Home Reporter’s “Best of the Boro” in the Museum category.

“It’s nice when people appreciate what you’re doing,” Hofmo said.

Looking forward, Hofmo hopes to revamp the museum’s website and work with local artists to complete a Brooklyn-themed coloring book about Scandinavian history in the borough.