This Friday, the Nordic Heritage Museum opens a new exhibit honoring the beloved Seattle personality, one-of-a-kind Scandinavian Ivar Haglund.
The entrepreneur was the “flounder” of legendary Ivar’s and regional cultural icon. Ivar became known as the King of Seattle’s waterfront and his unique knack for publicity stunts and business promotion made him a household name throughout Puget Sound.
Haglund was born to a Swedish and a Norwegian pioneer of Seattle. His maternal grandparents had also purchased Alki Point in 1869. From his early years as a Depression-era aquarium showman and folk singer, to opening the legendary Acres of Clams restaurant that remains on the Seattle waterfront to this day, Haglund has become part of Seattle’s unique character as a city for over 75 years.
This exhibition at the Nordic Heritage Museum (3014 NW 67th St) will highlight the fascinating life of this seafood magnate, emphasizing his Scandinavian heritage, musical talents, ventures into radio and television, and successes in business innovation and entrepreneurship.
A wealth of personal artifacts and memorabilia will accompany Haglund’s story. “Visitors will experience the fascinating life of this Seattle original through photographs, sound recordings, advertising campaigns, television commercials and programs, personal ephemera, and much more,” says the museum.
