Some journeys start with a map.

Others start with dreams, thirst, running away—starting new.

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Sköld Legacy Creative was born from a vision—to honor the past, celebrate the present, and weave a future rich with history, creativity, and storytelling. Spawned out of the haunted Superstition Mountain to the outlaw legacy of the cannabis movement… from cherished family archives to the playful antics of our beloved cats—we’re stitching these threads into a vibrant tapestry of stories and art.

After my parents passed, after time passed, after the absence and silence, the grieving became something new. It transformed into a discovery—and a rediscovery.

Inside the family archive, I found more than I ever could have imagined: carefully preserved scrapbooks lovingly assembled by my grandmother, Gunborg Hauglund Sköld (on my mother’s side); a trunk filled with old newspapers and vintage Time magazines; all of my mother’s yearbooks, school memorabilia, and handwritten letters.

There were greeting cards exchanged across generations, boxes overflowing with color slides—hundreds of them—and precious audio recordings capturing voices from decades ago.

And to my astonishment, there were thousands of photographs: tiny snapshots, delicate photo albums, and loose prints—some dating back to my grandfather J. Gunnar Sköld’s life long before he married my grandmother. Photos from the Sköld family, the Winesdorfers, and across every branch of our lineage. A deep, layered history—captured and preserved, waiting patiently to be rediscovered.

I knew my mother, Jo Ann Sköld Winesdorfer, wanted me to honor the legacy—to keep the stories alive. I’ve always been the dorky scrapbooker, just like my Nana. So I started going through the dusty boxes. Never did I think I would find such treasures.

The family quilts and scrapbooks evolved into something bigger after discovering an unpublished travel manuscript—one that accompanied one of my grandfather’s leather-bound photobooks, tucked in a back room drawer by Nana.

It was from his adventurous younger days. I soon realized this was a historical find. We had work to do. And so it started—putting out the story that my grandfather intended, along with so many others.

And now—our website is officially live! This soft launch is just the beginning: a home for our books, videos, and creative projects in the making.

We’re thrilled to share a glimpse of our current work, particularly Three Swedes and a Model T—a 500-page book chronicling my grandfather Gunnar Sköld’s 1931 road trip across America with two fellow Swedish immigrants, Ivar Menton and Olle Berquist.

Driving for the art of “the Road.” In a Model T—not built for such a grueling journey, yet dismantled and repaired like Zen poetry. Parts scattered across the country.

These three Swedes ventured from Walnut Creek, California, to New Sweden, Maine. Their route took them through Arizona (right near my home—and yes, Gunnar also photographed Superstition Mountain!), down the coastline, and through Texas—capturing a raw, unfiltered America from the perspective of outsiders, looking in, observing.

Gunnar’s photographs offer a raw, real perspective—a documentary eye reminiscent of Dorothea Lange. Ivar Menton’s translated travel journal feels like a blend of Jack Kerouac’s free-spirited prose and Carl Sandburg’s gritty compassion. Both writer and photographer empathetically detail encounters that shaped them: witnessing a chain gang in the South, swimming with sharks, visiting a Seminole village, and observing a river baptism in Georgia—each moment approached with deep respect. They were digesting, grappling with the harsh realities of the era, confronting the social and spiritual landscapes of a country in crisis.

At the heart of the book is that travel journal—handwritten in Swedish by Ivar Menton and now brought to light. Paired with Gunnar’s timeless photographs, these documents bring the journey to life through outsider eyes with insider heart.

Their journey—as Swedish outsiders, yet profoundly woven into America’s story—echoes other historic road trips: the migrants on Route 66, the Indigenous trails of the Natchez Trace, and so many more.

This is a story we’re honored to tell—and it’s just the beginning.

This journey of rediscovery didn’t stop with the archive—it led me to the land around me.

Scrapbooking is therapy. Art is therapy. Cat videos and photos for “cat dad” shirts bring joy and keep us in the moment. Then came my own slice of heaven. My “Close Encounters” moment. Superstition Mountain called me to share its history: photos of the mountain at night reveal secrets and sorrows—of stolen Apache land and strange energy frequencies.

This land tells a sacred story. I’m listening and learning, while also rediscovering my own Mohawk heritage. It’s humbling.

So many stories and discoveries.

Gunnar Sköld had preserved so many family photos. They tell a vivid story—one that must be shared with the many Sköld descendants who came from the other three Swedes. The ones who walked before me. Made my travels possible. Uncles Gustav (“Gus”) and Henry Oskar Sköld. Aunties Alma and Friedeberg.  Thank you. ❤️💕

The sudden loss of my beloved brother-in-law, Garey B. Williams, deepened my resolve. I healed by learning to make online scrapbooks—commemorating, preserving. I realized I have most of the family photos now. We must keep our loved ones alive—for my nieces and nephews, for those to come.

I’m also committed to honoring my mother and my step-grandmother, Jane Winesdorfer (on my father’s side)—an incredible artist and sculptor. She left remarkable records and personal documents, treasures in their own right. This means so much, especially since we lost all family photos from my grandpa Dr. and Mrs. Wesley D. White and Broadwell side of the family.

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What’s to Come

We’re just getting started at Sköld Legacy Creative. Here’s a glimpse of what you can expect in the coming months:

• The Completion of Three Swedes and a Model T:

We’re putting the final touches on this 500-page book, preparing a rough draft for Amazon KDP, followed by a polished hard copy via IngramSpark. Stay tuned for excerpts from Ivar Menton’s travel journal and more of Gunnar Sköld’s stunning photographs.

• Blog Series: The Journey of Three Swedes:

• Swedish Outsiders in Depression-Era America: Dive into Gunnar, Ivar, and Olle’s immigrant perspective, with journal excerpts and photos that capture their unique view of 1930s America.

• Gunnar Sköld: The Artist Behind the Lens: Explore my grandfather’s photography and its archival value, as we prepare to donate these treasures to FamilySearch and Bancroft Library at UC Berkeley.

• Cinematic Moments from Three Swedes and a Model T: Discover the movie-like moments from their journey—perfect for a film adaptation—and share your thoughts on bringing this story to the screen.

• Blog Series: Historical Road Trips:

• Route 66: The Mother Road Meets Three Swedes: Compare the Swedes’ Arizona journey to Route 66’s legacy of outsider travelers.

• Natchez Trace: Cultural Encounters on the Road: Connect their Seminole village visit to the Indigenous history of the Natchez Trace.

• Civil Rights Trail: Outsider Eyes on Justice: Reflect on the Swedes’ chain gang experience and its echoes in the Civil Rights Movement.

• Future Books and Projects:

• Crossing America: A dual-timeline exploration of the Swedes’ 1931 journey and my own travels along the same roads, blending history with personal reflection.

• Life of a Traveler: Crossroads and Outsider Perspectives: A memoir weaving my experiences as a traveler with the Swedes’ story, exploring themes of identity and belonging.

• Superstition Mountain and Mohawk Heritage: Continued photography and storytelling from Superstition Mountain, alongside a deeper dive into my Mohawk ancestry.

• Archival Efforts:

We’ll be working on preserving and donating the J. Gunnar Sköld archives to FamilySearch in coordination with my cousin Sheryl Bennett—to preserve Gunnar’s photographs for Sköld descendants.

We also intend to collaborate with a university like my alma mater, UC Berkeley’s Bancroft Library, for research and publishing further with a PhD student.

• Cat Videos and More:

Because who doesn’t love a good cat video? Expect more feline antics, “cat dad” shirt designs, and lighthearted content to balance the heavy history.

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Whether you’re a history buff, a fellow traveler, or simply someone who loves a good story, we invite you to join us. Browse the site—warning: it’s still under construction, like a work in progress, but fully operational.

Explore our Superstition Mountain photography.

Watch a cat video or two—who can resist?

And share your thoughts or leave a memory in the comments.

Thank you for being part of this journey.

— Miriam, Founder of Sköld Legacy Creative

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