America Letter Spring 2007 Vol. XX, No. 3

Your Museum in the An International THE DANISH IMMIGRANT MUSEUM Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II of , Protector Heart of the Continent Cultural Center ® Member of the American Association of Museums BOX 470 • ELK HORN, IOWA 51531 Across Oceans, Across Time, Across Generations®: The Walker Johnson Family By Eva Nielsen When Britta, Karma, and ErikPeter Walker inherited the estate of their grandmother Marion J. Walker and her brother Anker E. Johnson, they made a list. This was not a list of the bills they could pay or the cars they would buy or even the trips they might take. Instead, they made a list of places they thought deserved a gift. The Danish Immigrant Museum was on the list. These – continued on page 4

The photograph that started it all: the family of Lorentz Iskov. This nineteenth century photo helped an Australian, Marg Newstead, locate relatives in Iowa. Striking Gold: Connecting a Family Across Three Continents The Danish Immigrant Museum’s motto “Across Oceans, Across Time, Across Generations®” became more concrete last December when an Australian school principal, Margaret “Marg” Lewis of Newstead, in the southeastern state of Vic- toria, contacted The Family History & Genealogy Center. Marg’s great-grandfather, Christian Iskov, was one of four brothers born to Jacob Christian Iskov and Anna Margrethe Nicholaisen in Ketting parish on the island of Als in Sønder- borg County in the northern part of what was then the Duchy Marion Walker and Anker Johnson grew up on a ranch near Solvang, California. As third generation Danes, being Danish was of Slesvig. central to their lives. When Marion’s grandchildren inherited the Slesvig fell under German rule following the Dano-Prus- estate, they chose to give money to Danish American institutions sian War of 1864 and shortly thereafter Jacob and Christian, to honor their grandmother and their great uncle. – continued on page 6 Director’s Corner By John Mark Nielsen On February Smithsonian Institution will approve very grateful for this commitment to 2, Lonnie G. a National Museum of Danish Ameri- the Museum’s future. Bunch, found- can History and Culture to be built in I asked Richard to share with me ing director of our nation’s capital; ours is a smaller in his own words what inspired his the Smithson- segment of the population with a dif- gift. His response is eloquent. ian Institution’s ferent story. And we already have a As a young boy I knew my parents National Mu- national museum, here in the heart came from Denmark and I was proud seum of African American History of that area of the country where so to be of Danish heritage. I was too and Culture, spoke to Cleveland’s many Danish immigrants settled at young to realize all the hardships City Club Forum, the nation’s oldest the end of the nineteenth century. We that they had. The only thing mom continuous free speech forum. His do, however, face similar challenges, told me was how seasick she got topic was the planned construction of as all private, non-profit institutions on the ship when they crossed the a new museum on the Mall in Wash- do, in assuring that we have the re- Atlantic Ocean. Later I made a trip ington, D.C., honoring the heritage of sources to conserve and exhibit the to Europe and trips to the islands in the African American experience. treasures entrusted to us. the South Pacific and . I was In his opening remarks, Bunch This is why we turn to our mem- shocked that you can walk around all described the excitement of creating bers for their support through annual day and nobody spoke English and a national museum where the stories renewal of museum membership, if they did it was just a few words. and artifacts of the African Ameri- through gifts and memorials and I think back about mom and dad can population will be collected, through appeals to accomplish spe- coming to a new country, having to preserved and interpreted. Given the cific projects. I celebrate each of our learn the language, finding a place experience of slavery, the struggle members and contributors for his or to live, and getting work to support for emancipation, and the fight for her support. themselves. I admire my folks for equality, Bunch hopes the museum’s Sometimes, we receive especially coming to America. They made a exhibits will at once inform and pro- generous commitments. Recently, I good life for my , brother and vide healing, legitimacy and identity. visited Richard Hellman of Ocean- me. As an expression of my gratitude At the same time this museum will side, California. A native of Atlantic, and admiration for what my parents celebrate the diversity and richness Iowa, Richard took over a success- did, I want to leave a significant part of the American experience. ful metalworking business that his of my estate to celebrate and honor The challenges Bunch faces in father Peter, a Danish immigrant, them. founding a museum, beginning col- had founded in 1919. Peter built the I know there will be those within lections, identifying resources and business with support from his wife the African American community soliciting architectural concepts Karen, also a Danish immigrant. who will step forward to support the reminds me of the challenges we When Richard retired, he sold the construction of the National Museum faced when we founded The Danish business and traveled, ultimately set- of African American History and Cul- Immigrant Museum in 1983. Unlike tling in California. He shared with ture. I am grateful to Richard Hellman our experience, however, The Na- me that he wanted to leave a sizeable and to all our donors and members, tional Museum of African American portion of his estate to The Danish Im- past and present, who have stepped History and Culture has the support migrant Museum. He also indicated forward to invest in The Danish Im- of the Smithsonian Institution and is that he wanted to take advantage of the migrant Museum. Your generosity sustained in part by allocations from Pension Reform Act of 2006 by im- ensures the existence of a national Congress. Nevertheless, Bunch faces mediately giving a gift from his IRA. museum that collects, preserves, and challenges as he seeks the nearly $250 I am humbled by Richard’s generosity tells one chapter in the dramatic story million in private support that it will and I know that all of us who support of the making of our nation. take to complete the project. The Danish Immigrant Museum are It is unlikely that Congress or the 2 The artists of the cooperative responded and over 240 “Immigrants: pieces by eighty-four artists were selected to be a part of the exhibit. In addition, a catalog including thirty-one full color prints has been published with essays by Søren Møller, presi- Graphic Images dent of the Danish Cultural Institute; Ole Lejbach, artist and exhibit organizer; Torben Grøngaard Jeppesen, director of the from the Funen Odense City Museums, and Nielsen of The Danish Immigrant Museum. Since the exhibit includes so many works and because artists Graphic Workshop” are showing multiple pieces, organizers decided to divide the show into smaller exhibits. Immigrants: Graphic Images from In the summer of 2005, The Danish Immigrant Museum’s the Funen Graphic Workshop is scheduled at the following director, John Mark Nielsen, and Marianne Forssblad of the venues in the United States. On its return to Europe it will be Nordic Heritage Museum in Seattle began working with Ole exhibited in and Denmark. Lejbach of the Funen Graphic Workshop, an artists’ coopera- The Nordic Heritage Museum, Seattle, Washington (January tive founded in 1976 and located in Odense, Denmark. The 25 through March 25) 3014 NW 67th Street; (206)789-5707; hope was to put together a traveling exhibit of contemporary www.nordicmuseum.org that would tour the United States in 2007. The Elverhøj Museum, Solvang, California (January 27 The exhibit’s contents would arise from an assignment to through March 25) 1624 Elverhoy Way; (805) 686-1211; the 250 artists from seventeen countries who are members www.elverhoj.org of the Workshop. The assignment: create graphic works that The Iowa Heritage Gallery, Des Moines, Iowa (April 25 represent immigrants and the challenges they face. through June 21) 111 Court Avenue; (515) 286-2242; www. heritagegallery.org The Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, Omaha, Nebraska (May 11 through June 23) 724 South 12th Street; (402) 341- 7130; www.bemiscenter.org Danebo: The Danish American Center, Minneapolis, Min- nesota (May 4 through June 24) 3030 West River Parkway South; (612) 729-3800; www.dac.mn The organizers are most grateful for the generosity of Steen Sanderhoff and Leman USA for making arrange- ments and providing transportation from Denmark and throughout the United States. Members of The Danish Immigrant Museum will note that the exhibit is currently not scheduled for the Museum in Elk Horn. The reason is to reach out to communities where the Museum has significant membership.

The Museum Assists with Minneapolis Institute of Arts Exhibit The Minneapolis Institute of Arts (MIA) will feature a Nordic-inspired children’s literature exhibition in their Family Center from March 24 through September 16, 2007. They are working with several Scandinavian museums, including The Danish Immigrant Museum, to supplement their exhibit with materials from each of the countries represented. The MIA “Immigrant” Color lithograph by Tine Hind, Funen will be borrowing and displaying three children’s books from Graphic Workshop. The Danish Immigrant Museum’s collections. These books are Danish fairy tales that specifically featurenisse characters.

3 America Letter Published Three Times Annually By Johnson Walker . . . The Danish Immigrant Museum 2212 Washington, POBox 470 continued from page 1 Elk Horn, Iowa 51531 712-764-7001 800-759-9192 FAX 712-764-7002 Eva Nielsen, editor www.danishmuseum.org email: [email protected] Board of Directors President – Kai Nyby, LaPorte, IN Vice-President – Marc Petersen, Omaha, NE Secretary – Dagmar Muthamia, Long Beach, CA Treasurer – John Molgaard, Atlantic, IA Dr. Ronald Bro, Cedar Falls, IA Carlo Christensen, Glendale, CA Lois Christensen, Elk Horn, IA Ane-Grethe Delaney, Wayzata, MN Dr. Gordon Esbeck, Tipton, IA Mark Frederiksen, Papillion, NE Kenneth Gregersen, Arnolds Park, IA Bridget Jensen, Houston, TX Erna Jensen, Des Moines, IA Harold M. Jensen, Ames, IA Peder Kirkegaard, Lake Geneva, WI Kurt Klarskov Larsen, Oneonta, AL Mark Nussle, Palos Park, IL Benedikte Ehlers Olesen, Eugene, OR Lynette Skow Rasmussen, Johnston, IA A Danish American family across generations: Anker Johnson pictured with his The Honorable Consul Anelise Sawkins, great-nephew ErikPeter Walker and two great-great-nephews, Britta’s son Aksel Minneapolis, MN (standing) and Karma’s son Calvin (sitting on ErikPeter’s lap). Linda Sloth-Gibbs, Yuma, AZ Harriet Albertsen Spanel, Bellingham, WA Janet M. Thuesen, Sausalito, CA three grandchildren sent a sizable do- Lutheran Church of America at the Ex-Offi cio nation to the Museum to honor their time). They walked or rode their bikes Vern Hunter, Fargo, ND grandmother and great uncle, along Nils Jensen, Portland, OR to Atterdag College, a Danish folk Dennis Larson, Decorah, IA with a note saying that Marion and high school where Marion and Anker Staff Anker “deeply valued the preserva- did Danish folk dancing, sang, and Executive Director: Dr. John Mark Nielsen, tion of their Danish heritage.” were steeped in a culture that aimed [email protected] Director of Development: Thomas Hansen, “We are our grandparents’ grand- to help people live richer lives. [email protected] children.” That’s how Britta explains Marion’s daughter-in-law, Sonja General Information & Inquiries About the decision. Volunteering: [email protected] Hansen Walker, says throughout Group & Special Tours: Terri Johnson, It was, in fact, Britta’s great-great- their lives Marion and Anker were [email protected] grandparents—Anker and Marion’s “proud of their existential Grundt- Wall of Honor, Donations, Memorial Gifts & Memberships: Deb Larsen, develop- grandparents—who left Denmark, vigian thinking.” (N.F.S. Grundt- [email protected] immigrating to the United States from vig inspired the Danish folk high Bookkeeping & Financial Inquiries: Jen- nifer Winters, [email protected] the island of Fyn in the late 1800s. school movement.) Their sense of Collections & Exhibit Questions: Neither Anker (who still lives in connection to Grundtvig was real: a Barbara Lund-Jones, M.Phil, curator@ Solvang, California), nor Marion was danishmuseum.org relative had been the skuder—liter- Artifact Donations & Museum Loans: born in Denmark. Yet being Danish ally, the shooter or the hunter—on Angela Stanford, M.A., registrar@danish- was central to their lives. Grundtvig’s personal estate. But also, museum.org Museum Shop: Pamela Parker, giftshop@ Growing up on a ranch near as Sonja puts it, Marion and Anker danishmuseum.org Solvang in the 1920s, Marion lived by the old adages that your life Donation of Books & Library Questions: Michele McNabb, MLS, librarian@ and Anker were surrounded by is your prayer—that you should live danishmuseum.org Danes—many who had recently your life to the fullest. Genealogical & Inquiries: arrived from Denmark. Marion and [email protected] Marion and Anker, Sonja contin- Volunteer Coordinator: Joyce Petersen Anker’s parents spoke Danish. The ues, had a strong work ethic. They Receptionist: Jane Kite family attended Bethania Evangelical worked on the ranch, viewing them- Custodian: Tim Fredericksen Interns: Katherine Fox, collections and Lutheran Church (part of the Danish selves as stewards of the land. “They Karina Petersen, marketing/tourism 4 – continued on page 5 loved the land,” says Sonja. “It was of the lives of a new generation. Britta their world.” explains, “We say vær s’god, tak for Though they were rich in land, they mad, velbekomme. Aksel calls my didn’t have a lot of money. Marion mom Mormor…Aksel does things and Anker were frugal people, but, at The Danish American Center.” Britta says, they “gave and gave and Meanwhile, as Marion and Anker gave” of themselves. Marion vol- grew older, the ranch in Solvang unteered with the church and at the had to be sold. And when Marion Lutheran home. Anker built a large passed away in February of 2006, room on to the ranch house—a way Britta, Karma, and ErikPeter had to to open their home to others. They make some decisions. One of their were both very active in many of the decisions was to use the funds from valley community organizations. the Johnson-Walker Trust to support When it came time for Marion’s institutions that celebrate and work son David to leave for college, he to preserve the Danish heritage in the went to a Danish school, the same United States. college his grandmother Mary Britta explains, “We felt privileged Hansen (born in Kerteminde) had to be able to give. We feel blessed attended—Grand View College in and it makes sense to give gifts that Des Moines, Iowa—even though he honor them [Marion and Anker]. They A Danish American family across had been accepted at Harvard. There, would never have done it, yet all they time: Marion and Anker pictured on the he met another Danish American, did was give.” ranch with a spinning wheel brought Sonja Hansen from Tyler, Minnesota. They are, as Britta says, “their from Fyn by their grandparents. Now, The two married and moved to Min- grandparents’ grandchildren.” Britta is using the wheel, spinning wool neapolis, Minnesota where Britta, for a sweater for a baby due in May. Karma, and ErikPeter were born. If being Danish was an inherent part of Marion Walker’s life, the same was true for her grandchildren. the following danish American organiza- “Our parents,” Britta says, “fos- tered a strong sense of Danish-ness tions and communities received gifts from the in us.” The family attended social Johnson-Walker trust: and cultural events at The Danish • The Danish Immigrant Museum, Elk Horn, Iowa American Fellowship. The kids did • The Danish Immigrant Archive at Dana College, Danish folk dancing on Saturdays. Sonja participated in Virkelyst, a Blair, Nebraska Danish charitable women’s group. • Bethania Evangelical Lutheran Church, Solvang, And many of the family’s Christ- California mas traditions, for example, were • Grand View College, Des Moines, Iowa and are Danish—the songs they • The community of Solvang, California sing, the foods they eat. “I’ve never • The community of Tyler, Minnesota in my life,” Sonja says, “not had red cabbage at Christmas.” And the • The Danish American Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota Danish-ness showed up in more • Solvang Lutheran Home, Solvang, California subtle ways: “I didn’t know,” Britta • St. Peder’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, says, “the English word for dustpan Minneapolis, Minnesota until I was ten…We always called it • Elverhoj Museum of Danish History & Art, fejebakke at home.” And now that Britta is married Solvang, California with a son of her own—a 3-year-old named Aksel—being Danish is part 5 loved the opportunity Gold . . . to meet up with other continued from page 1 Danish migrants at the Castlemaine Mar- the eldest and youngest of the brothers, ket where he could struck out for Australia to work in the converse in his native goldfields near Castlemaine in central tongue, much to the Victoria. The two middle brothers, amusement of his Eng- Lorentz and Peter, followed them Down lish-speaking offspring. Under in July 1870. Christian’s offspring Jacob later returned to Denmark currently number nine where he married and raised a family, children, twenty-seven but his brothers remained abroad. grandchildren (nine Peter Iskov worked in a variety of still living), seventy-six mining and farming jobs; he married great-grandchildren, twice, but had no children and died in one hundred and sev- Castlemaine. enty-four great-great- Christian married Margaret “Maggie” grandchildren, and Jean Whyte, the daughter of Scottish set- fifty-eight great-great- tlers, in 1874. After working in the mines great-grandchildren. until 1880, he and Maggie purchased The subsequent a “selection” (farm) at Glenluce about history of the fourth eighteen miles from Castlemaine where brother, Lorentz Iskov, they raised a variety of livestock, grain was somewhat murky. crops, and fruit—much of which was Oral history accounts sold at local markets. The couple pros- among family descen- pered and lived to celebrate their fiftieth dants in both Australia wedding anniversary. Local historical and Denmark related accounts and their numerous descendants that en route to Aus- recall them fondly, telling how Christian tralia, Lorentz (born in September 1846) had met a woman who was either going to or coming from the United Jacob Christian Iskov (1815-1892) was a cottager and the father of the four Iskov boys who left Denmark to mine gold States. The eventual in Australia in the 1860s and 1870s. outcome of this encoun- ter supposedly was that he decided to leave Australia and come It did not take long to find an answer to America. to Marg’s query (considerably aided by While contact was maintained be- the fact that the family name of interest tween the Danish and Australian branch- was not Petersen or Christiansen). The es of the family, over the years the link to close resemblance of Iskov to a local America was lost. Then a late nineteenth family named Eskov led to a search of century photograph of a couple and five a recently published Elk Horn history children with the notation “Miller’s Stu- book. There, in a write-up of early set- dio, Elk Horn, Iowa,” was unearthed in tlers ‘Lorens’ and Anna Eskov, was an the papers of a deceased member of the identical picture to the one Margaret Australian family. The photo led Marg Lewis had sent and with all the persons to the Danish Immigrant Museum; she identified! asked whether we might be able to find Further research turned up much out anything about an Iskov family who documentation about the couple. Lorentz had lived in the area. She indicated that and Anne Marie Petersen had both ar- Lawrence Eskov, grandson and namesake variants of the surname had been found rived in the U.S. in 1881. They were of Lorentz Iskov/Eskov, shows his copy of the as Iskow, Iskra, Skarr, Eskov and Eskow married in Harlan in 1883 and farmed picture that connects his family to relatives in records. in Clay Township near Elk Horn where on three continents. – continued on page 7 6 Svend Christensen, Danish Police Officer during WWII, Speaks

Svend Christensen spoke about his made possible by a gift from the Erik bottom of a ferry bound for Sweden. experiences as a Danish policeman dur- and Joan Norgaard Charitable Trust. He left behind his wife Elly who was ing World War II on January 13, 2007 at Christensen was a police officer in pregnant with their second child. the Jewish Community Center in Omaha, in the early years of the Christensen remained in Sweden Nebraska. His presentation, which is a German occupation of Denmark. He was until Denmark was liberated in May of part of the annual “Tribute to the Res- also a member of the Danish resistance 1945. He made it home just in time for cuers” Essay Contest, was sponsored movement that helped to protect some the birth of his second child. by The Danish Immigrant Museum and seven thousand Danish Jews from Nazi Christensen, his wife and children concentration camps. immigrated to the United States in 1954, One of Christensen’s police duties making Des Moines, Iowa their home. was to inspect boats in the harbors for He worked as a photo engraver at a few any Jews who might have been hiding publishing houses in the city, including inside, escaping to neutral Sweden. He the Register and Tribune Company. After “didn’t see” any Jews on these boats and retiring, he worked in the State Capitol the stowaways remained safe. as a Senate doorkeeper and later as the In September of 1944, the Nazis be- Senate postmaster. gan rounding up Danish police officers. In 2002, Christensen donated a num- Here’s what happened. Christensen ber of items to The Danish Immigrant remembers sitting in a dentist’s chair Museum. Among these artifacts were having work done when the air raid siren his police baton and two badges used sounded. He and the dentist went to the while he was an officer in Denmark, and window and saw that Danish policemen a handful of photos of himself and his were being herded into the streets and ar- fellow officers. They are an important rested. Christensen donned the dentist’s part of the small World War II collection coat, took his gun and fled to another the Museum has been working to build, Svend Christensen shares his World War II city for a few days before hiding in the and are among some of the most well experiences. documented artifacts in that collection.

Striking Gold . . . continued from page 6 they had six children: Maggie, Jacob, Lawrence Eskov, the son of Hans Peter Iskov family will be holding a reunion Chris, Anne Marie, Katrine and Hans Eskov, lives in Elk Horn a short distance near where Christian Iskov lived and Peter. According to her obituary, Anne from The Family History & Genealogy was buried, and a family history is being Marie was also from the island of Als, Center. And Lorentz’s 160-acre farm is compiled that will include information but whether she was the woman Lorenz presently owned by Larry Eskov, the on Lorentz and his descendants. reportedly met en route to Australia is grandson of Lorentz’s son Chris, making For The Family History & Genealogy presently unknown. it one of Iowa’s farms that have been in Center this contact has been pure gold. Local family recollections reported the same family for over a century. Besides learning something of the history that Lorenz had spent time in Australia, Via e-mail The Family History & of Danish immigration to Australia, the but hadn’t liked it, so decided to come to Genealogy Center was able to connect Eskov family file has been greatly aug- the U.S. and that he had lived in Illinois Margaret to Lawrence Eskov’s son, mented by these links connecting family prior to coming to Iowa. His passenger Chuck, so now these second cousins across three continents, one hundred and arrival record in this country has not yet are exchanging family information and sixty years and five generations. been located, so his exact arrival date and photos, re-establishing the broken link Anyone with additional information destination are not presently known. between Australia and the U.S. as well as about members of the Iskov/Eskov Four of Lorentz Eskov’s children communicating with interested relatives family may contact Margaret Lewis at married and had children; family mem- back in Denmark. [email protected]. bers still reside in the immediate area. On October 6, 2007, the Australian Lorentz’s grandson and namesake, 7 From a Curatorial Perspective By Barbara Lund-Jones Imagine visiting a museum and being invited into the very heart of its collec- tion—the invitation including a close scrutiny of fine jewelry, an examination of exquisitely done needlework, a study of pipe-making art through the genera- tions. As amazing as it may seem, that is the invitation we are now extending to Museum visitors. The Danish Immigrant Museum has long encouraged a close visitor relation- ship to its collection through the large visual storage area in the lower level. Visitors have enjoyed the overview of Get a close look at The Danish Immigrant Museum’s collections. New drawers the collection but have often expressed installed in the visual storage area allow visitors to see artifacts like these pipes the desire to see some of the smaller close-up. objects more closely. We have taken taining the PastPerfect records for each progress for some time. Do come and steps to make their wish a reality. item in the completed drawers, allowing enjoy this presentation of our collection. The Danish Immigrant Museum visitors to identify donors and explore It is an experience you will remember has acquired three custom-made dis- available artifact stories. for a long time. play/storage units. These units feature This project will remain a work-in- large glass-covered pullout drawers, which allow an intimate view of smaller items within the collection. The ac- quisition of these units has been made possible through the generosity of the Post-WWII Artifacts Needed to local Danish Brotherhood, Lodge 347 of Kimballton and Elk Horn, the Eric Strengthen Museum Collections and Joan Norgaard Charitable Trust of When you ask people what they think Northbrook, Illinois and Robert Stovall appliances, military-related materials all an artifact is, the response is, invariably: of New York City. Each of these donors dating from the 1940s through today are “Something old.” It is difficult for people has made a gift of one full unit, designed in high demand. If artifacts from these to consider something they played with to the Museum’s specifications. generations are not collected now, they as a child or something they just bought As curator, I am coordinating the may be lost or discarded. In this throw- or made a few years ago to be an arti- project. It is our visual storage volun- away society, it is increasingly important fact—something worthy of being offered teers, who have worked closely with the to cultivate these generations and make to a museum. collection for many years, who are se- sure they are represented in museums in Because of this, the range of many lecting, arranging and securing the items the future. museums’ collections ends prior to within the drawers. Six drawers have The Danish Immigrant Museum World War II. “Modern” artifacts tend been completed to date. One focuses on strives to tell the complete story of Danish to be underrepresented and much more jewelry, three on pipes and two on items immigrants and their descendents. Immi- difficult to find in museums across the related to the Danish Brotherhood and gration continues today and the museum country. The Danish Immigrant Museum Danish Sisterhood. As we move on to needs the artifacts to illustrate those is no different. the seventh drawer, we are returning to stories and experiences. Incorporating Though The Danish Immigrant Mu- jewelry. After that, we will select from more modern artifacts into exhibits will seum’s collections include thousands of our extensive display of silver. Then we also help attract a younger generation of artifacts, most date from before WWII. will move on to textiles. museum visitors, making the Museum a More recent generations are, therefore, Once the volunteers have selected the viable and necessary part of many more unable to be exhibited as comprehen- display items for each drawer, they verify generations. sively as earlier ones. the assigned artifact numbers, condition If you are interested in finding out There is a push at many museums report the objects and photograph the more about what the Museum collects to actively collect artifacts from recent individual pieces. The condition reports or if you have artifacts you are interested generations and to preserve that history and photographs are passed on to Angela in donating, please call. The Danish now while the opportunity exists. Child- Stanford, collections manager/registrar, Immigrant Museum’s collections will hood toys, clothes, photographs, home- for integration into the PastPerfect col- be strengthened as they become more made tools and decorations, household lections database. Collections intern comprehensive. Kate Fox has prepared a notebook con- 8 many different sculptural mediums. For a time he worked with the welding of found objects, creating such ingenious sculptures as a razor back hog from “C” clamp vice grips, a creature at once fascinating and formidable. Welding became crucial to Elmer Petersen’s work as an artist. In his own words: “It wasn’t until I was in my mid-twenties that I took my- self seriously (as a sculptor); and that was when I was intro- duced to welding as a medium of expression…I developed a style which had the look of the materi- als and processes that I worked with; i.e., sheet metal, a metal nibbler (‘un- ishears’), a roller to curve the flat sheet metal and an oxy- acetylene welding torch.…” But Petersen has never remained still in his work. After welding, he moved on to cast bronze, finding that he now prefers working in that medium and that the mold for Petersen used welding to create his the casting can be Head of Scuptor, one of the mediums of made from almost expression used in his work. any material he chooses. Still active at 78-years-old, Petersen has spoken about the various stages through which he has passed as artist and sculp- Danish American sculptor Elmer Petersen at work. Peters- tor. The exhibit, which opened in January, unfolds through en’s work is currently on display at the Museum. his own words and his reflections upon his work. The monumental sculptures Petersen has done for public spaces are represented through photographs, as are a number Elmer Petersen’s of other pieces now residing in private collections throughout the country. The sculptures displayed in the exhibit have been Sculptures on Display chosen from his smaller pieces done in cast bronze. Many travelers in southwestern North Dakota have seen what is billed as the world’s largest buffalo, a prominent tour- ist attraction in Jamestown. The buffalo is a cement sculpture Are You a Danish Immigrant forty-six feet long and twenty-six feet high. It was constructed with considerable inventiveness from I-beams, rebar, mesh or Long-term Resident? and blown-on cement in 1959 by a young Danish American You may not think you’re history yet, but you will be sculptor, Elmer Petersen. some day! We would like to have some information in our Petersen’s work is currently featured in the Museum’s library on more recent immigrants or long-term residents “Danish American Artist Series.” The exhibition of his work from Denmark. If you would be willing to fill out one of our marks a first for the Museum—the first time a display has “Immigrant Information Forms” or distribute it at meetings of focused exclusively on sculpture. your local Danish American organization, contact the Family After the Jamestown buffalo, Petersen went on to explore History and Genealogy Center for copies.

9 Museum Partnership Brings Danish Christmas to Tempe, Arizona

How fortunate for the Tempe, Ari- zona area that in 1871 Danish pioneer Niels Petersen decided to homestead there rather than California or Iowa where many Danish immigrants of that period settled. Petersen, born in 1845 in the small farming village of Vilslev in southwestern Denmark, set sail for the United States in 1870. He arrived in Tempe around 1871, homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres and even- tually became one of the wealthiest ranchers in that area. For his bride he built a lovely two-story Queen Ann style home. Donated by the family in 1979, their home is now called the Petersen House Museum and is operated by the Tempe Historical Museum. Visitors to the Petersen House get to see a Volunteers decorate the exterior of The Petersen House in Tempe, Arizona in glimpse of life during Tempe’s early preparation for the Danish Christmas celebration. settlement days. And throughout this past Christmas season, the Tempe Attention was paid to detail, re-cre- . Here is an excerpt of her and Historical Museum partnered with ating Christmas as Niels Petersen and her children’s cultural experience: The Danish Immigrant Museum to his family would have experienced Over the holiday break, I took my bring an authentic Danish Christmas it. Three rooms of the elegant home kids to see “Night at the Museum,” to this house built by a Danish im- were decorated with Danish Christ- a whimsical tale featuring Ben Stiller migrant. mas trees of various time periods. as a security guard at The Museum This partnership came about when Ornamenting the trees were small of Natural History in New York City John Mark Nielsen, executive direc- paper ornaments called papirklip, who discovers that at night, after the tor of The Danish Immigrant Mu- Danish flags, candles, woven heart doors close, the figures in the museum seum, and Thomas Hansen, director baskets, strings of popcorn, mouse come to life. Forget what the critics of development, toured the Petersen stairs and other items. say, it’s a very funny movie for both House in January 2006. Ann Pou- A closing reception of the Danish kids and adults, and it inspired us to los, curator of collections at Tempe Christmas exhibit was held on Janu- pursue our own “afternoon at the Historical Museum, and Betty Jane ary 6, 2007 with over seventy-five museums” right here at home. Dunn, curator of the Petersen House, people in audience. The guests were With the weather deliciously chilly were instrumental in the year-long treated to Danish kringle provided and wet, perfect for spending time collaboration leading up to this part- by Kirsten’s Danish Bakery of Burr inside, we spent the day exploring nered effort. Ridge, Illinois and O & H Bakery of Tempe’s rich historical museums. The first Sunday in December Racine, Wisconsin. Our first stop was the Niels Petersen 2006 Nielsen returned to Tempe for House. I’m embarrassed to say that the opening of the Danish Christmas I’ve passed the quaint little house on exhibit along with Deb Larsen, de- After touring the Petersen House the corner of Priest and Southern a velopment staff member, who had Museum, one of the many visitors thousand times. I once had to seek spent the previous five days leading during the five-week Christmas ex- refuge in its’ parking lot when my car the staff and volunteers in decorating hibit submitted a story to The Tempe the Petersen House Museum. 10 – continued on page 11 Petersen House . . . continued from page 8

busted a radiator hose during rush hour, but I’d never set foot in the museum itself. As we entered the foyer, it felt like we’d been invited into a Victorian doll house. Decorated for the holiday with handmade traditional Danish ornaments, the Christmas trees provided a perfect backdrop for scrap- book photos. The kids were delighted by the nisse and julebukkes (elves and goats) hidden at every turn, and we imagined what Christmas must have been like in the nineteenth century. My son got to feel the heft of the old, coal black telephone, peeked through an old time viewmaster in the parlor and took a turn or two at a butter churn. We were amazed by the detail in the workmanship of the hand laid tile in the bathroom, and coveted a nap under the crazy quilt in the grand Danish wood bed. I imagined Mrs. Petersen in her big, open kitchen, baking cookies and preparing her holiday feast. The kids were each given their own handmade paper ornament, which they guarded with care. As we left, we couldn’t help but wonder if at night, when the doors closed, did the piano come alive with the sounds of Christmas carols? Did the nisse ride up the staircase on the little straw julebukkes? . . . A Petersen House Museum visitor and John Mark Nielsen, Reprinted with permission from The Tempe Republic; executive director of The Danish Immigrant Museum, at The written by Rosalie Lopez Hirano. Petersen House Museum’s Danish Christmas celebration.

The Vern Mikkelsen Story In the early years of the National Bas- Mikkelsen was born in 1928 in Pariler, ketball Association, one team dominated California, where is father, Michael Mik- the league: the Minneapolis Lakers. kelsen, was serving the Danish Lutheran The team won four NBA champion- Church. Later, Mikkelsen moved with his ships during the 1950s before moving family to Askov, Minnesota, where he got to Los Angeles. Vern Mikkelsen, the his start playing basketball. Egan traces son of a Danish immigrant pastor, was Mikkelsen’s story from his upbringing one of the forwards on this star-studded in rural Minnesota through his career team. Known for his tough defense and with the Lakers in a style that is at once play-making ability, Mikkelsen scored enjoyable and informative. over 10,000 points during his career. In The Vern Mikkelsen Story is 184 pages 1995 he was named to the NBA Hall of in length, hardcover, and published by Fame. Nodin Press of Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vern Mikkelsen Story by Joe Egan, The book may be ordered through the longtime sportswriter, editor and colum- Museum Shop at The Danish Immigrant nist for the Sioux Falls Argus Leader, is Museum at a cost of $19.95 plus $6.50 for postage and handling. The Vern Mikkelsen Story by Joe a readable biography of this man with Egan is available at the Museum Shop. Danish roots. 11 Museum Shop The Danish Immigrant Renovation Museum: Upcoming Events Continues The Danish Immigrant Museum is participating in or sponsoring the The Museum Shop is pleased to following upcoming events: announce the completion of another step in the renovation process: a new January 25-March 25 ... Immigrants: Graphic Images from the Funen front counter. With additional shelves, Graphic Workshop, The Nordic Heritage Mu- storage and end beam, the counter seum, Seattle, Washington beautifi es the shop, blending well January 27-March 25 ... Immigrants: Graphic Images from the Funen with the new shelving units placed Graphic Workshop, The Elverhøj Museum, throughout the store. A secure jewelry Solvang, California case was also added, which displays March 30-31 ...... Historical Administration Program Association the collection of jewelry and adds Symposium, Eastern Illinois University, Charles- more lockable storage below. ton, Illinois This addition was built by a locally April 9 ...... Better Elk Horn Club Banquet, Elk Horn, Iowa skilled cabinet-maker, Tim Andersen April 14 ...... Maia Quartet performs at Grand View College, Des Moines, Iowa of rural Elk Horn. Cynthia McKeen April 14 ...... Hans Christian Andersen Birthday Celebration of St. Paul, Minnesota—formerly of Reception to Benefi t Kimballton’s Little Mer- Exira, Iowa—designed and drew the maid Restoration plans. She started this renovation in April 21 ...... Danish Night at the Scandinavian Club of Co- honor of her mother Ethel Peterson lumbus, Ohio who loved to visit the museum and April 25-June 21 ...... Immigrants: Graphic Images from the Funen voiced ideas on enhancing the Mu- Graphic Workshop, The Iowa Heritage Gallery, seum Shop. Des Moines, Iowa The last phase of the renovation April 29 ...... Danish American Heritage Society Board Meet- will be to add new bookshelves, which ing, Ames, Iowa were purchased by McKeen. A call April 30 ...... The Danish Immigrant Museum’s Volunteer Ban- is out for an estimate for removal of quet, Elk Horn, Iowa the old bookshelves so an immedi- May 4-June 24 ...... Immigrants: Graphic Images from the Funen ate timeframe is not available. Be Graphic Workshop, Danebo: The Danish Ameri- sure to visit the Museum to view the can Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota improvements. May 11-June 23 ...... Immigrants: Graphic Images from the Funen Graphic Workshop, The Bemis Center for Con- temporary Arts, Omaha, Nebraska May 13-17 ...... American Association of Museums Annual Meet- ing, Chicago, Illinois May 16 ...... Frontrunner Program sponsored by the Danish Become a member of Embassy, Seattle, Washington May 25-27 ...... Tivoli Fest, Elk Horn, Iowa The Danish Immigrant May 26 ...... Grand Opening of Jens Dixen House, The Danish Immigrant Museum, Elk Horn, Iowa Museum today! June 6-8 ...... Danish Immigrant Museum Board Meeting, It’s easy to do, call 1-800- Omaha, Nebraska June 23 ...... Sankt Hans Aften, The Danish Immigrant Mu- 759-9192 or go online at seum, Elk Horn, Iowa www.danishmuseum.org

12 Fox and Petersen Contribute Talents as Interns

In 2004, The Danish Immigrant Mu- is now in the process of completing her seum began a partnership with Aalborg master’s degree in tourism at in Denmark and undergradu- University. ate institutions in the United States to Fox and Petersen live together in Elk create an internship program for various Horn where they spend their time work- departments within the Museum. Kate ing, reading, exercising at the gym, and Fox is currently interning in collections socializing with friends. They both are and Karina Petersen in marketing. enjoying their stay in Elk Horn and their Karina Petersen (left) and Katherine Fox In collections, Fox aids the collections internship experiences at The Danish are interning at The Danish Immigrant manager/registrar in the care and process- Immigrant Museum. Museum. ing of artifacts. When an artifact arrives at the Museum as a gift, Fox participates in the collections committee meeting. Fox’s other duties include completing a full inventory of all objects housed in the Museum, rearranging storage areas, completing data entry of older gift lots, aiding in the creation of short-term ex- hibits, and producing an artifact guide to the flat files in the lower level gallery. Fox hails from Virginia where she earned her bachelors degree in biological anthropology at James Madison Uni- versity in Harrisonburg, Virginia. This coming fall, she will return to university to earn her masters degree in museum studies. Fox plans to make a career in the field, specializing either in anthropology/ Volunteer Spotlight: cultural studies or exhibition design. Petersen, meanwhile, is writing a pro- Millie Eskov posal concerning the marketing strategies of the Museum. This proposal will focus The Volunteer Spotlight is on Millie married for twenty-five years when he upon the ideal target audience for the Eskov. Eskov volunteers as a front desk died suddenly; she has been a widow Museum: younger generation families greeter every Thursday and has been since then. Eskov is very proud of her with children. The bulk of her research a dedicated volunteer since 1993. She family: two children, four grandchil- is focused on how to interest this target loves visiting with the guests and can be dren and two great-grandchildren. audience in the Danish heritage and counted on to recruit at least one new Eskov loves to play cards and to get entice them to visit. member each time she is here. Eskov together with neighbors to play board Petersen has also designed several always takes time to have lunch with games. She is a member of the Red programs and brochures for Museum the staff and loves to bring goodies for Hat Society and has been a member of events, created a draft for The Holger everyone to enjoy. the Elk Horn Lutheran Church since Danske Endowment Campaign, and Eskov was born in Council Bluffs, moving here. aided in the design and content of the Iowa and graduated from Thomas Millie, we are so grateful to you for 2006 annual report and museum shop Jefferson High School there. Her first all the time you give to the Museum, catalogs. She is also translating the work experience was making radio for all of the goodies you bring and all Museum’s website from English into crystals during World War II. In 1943 the stories you share each Thursday. Danish. she married the love of her life Albert You are a very special member of the Petersen, from Hjørring, Denmark, Eskov and shortly, thereafter, they Museum family. has already obtained a degree in inter- moved to Elk Horn. They were happily national market and communication and 13 From Our Development Director

By Thomas Hansen to our long-time supporter, Leman Greetings from the cold and wintry USA’s President, Steen Sanderhoff. campus of The Danish Immigrant Mu- • Last October, we were the recipients seum where we are eagerly anticipating of a significant gift from the Estate of the spring season! Caroline Olsen, Minneapolis, Min- A new year has begun, and we are nesota. According to her son, Byron off to a great start here in 2007. Build- D. Olsen, his mother was a student ing on our growing development efforts of Danish immigrant history and an recently, this year has the making of enthusiastic promoter and preserver being another banner year as we seek to of her heritage. expand our outreach, exhibits, facilities • As of February, we have received over and endowment. $30,000 in contributions towards the As I reflect on our accomplishments 2006 End of Year Appeal to support this past year, I am particularly touched our daily activities, to renew member- time and resources from our national by the many long-time and generous ships or to help us complete several board of directors and our dedicated friends across the country who, since special projects. volunteers. Thank you to all of our we began in 1983, have been steady I am also pleased to share with you members and donors for thinking of us supporters of the Museum. Through your that we have received a number of gifts and for your continued partnership. annual membership, your support of spe- in response to the Pension Protection Act cial projects and appeals, placing loved of 2006. If you are over age seventy and ones on our Danish Immigrant Wall of a half, you can take advantage of this Honor, or leaving us in your estate, you legislation should you be interested in have demonstrated your strong interest making tax-free gifts to charities directly in our ongoing efforts here at The Danish from your IRAs. This legislation is in 2007 Rebild Immigrant Museum. effect only throughout 2007, and you are Your thoughtful giving, large and allowed to make charitable contributions small, has truly made a difference as we in any amount up to $100,000. If you Annual continue to share and tell the stories of the have questions about making a special Danish immigrants, their descendents, gift to us using your IRA, please contact Meeting, and Danes currently living in the US. me at 1-800-759-9192 or email me at We have come a long way in the last [email protected] March 21-25 twenty-four years, but there is still much On behalf of Deb Larsen, Membership to accomplish, and we look forward to Coordinator/Development Associate, in Denver working with you. and the entire Museum staff, we espe- There are several significant recent cially appreciate the generous giving of Christian Christensen, long-time contributions that we wish to high- Museum member and current Colorado/ light: Wyoming Rebild Chapter president, • The Danish Immigrant Museum was encourages everyone to attend the 2007 the recipient of an amazing gift of Rebild Annual Meeting. Members of $100,000 from long-time members “2006 Annual the Colorado/Wyoming Chapter will and supporters Tony and Gwen Berg be hosting the meeting at the Marriott of DeKalb, Illinois. At the request of Report” Note Denver South at Park Meadows. Tony and Gwen, the gift was placed For more information about the pro- in the Museum’s Holger Danske We recently learned that some of gram and activities, please visit Endowment Fund. the copies of the 2006 Annual Report www.annualrebildmeeting.com. You • A major in-kind contribution from contained duplicate and/or omitted can also contact Christian Christensen Leman USA Inc., Racine, Wisconsin pages. If you received one of these at 1-303-526-1303 or e-mail him at to fully support transportation costs copies, please call Debbie Larsen at [email protected]. For tour and associated with bringing the Immi- dinner reservations for Saturday, March grants: Graphic Images from Funen 1-800-759-9192 to report the error 24, please contact Consul Nanna Nielsen Graphic Workshop from Denmark and to receive a new copy. Smith, Hans Nielsen, Inc, at 1-303-980- to various venues within the United 9100. States. We are especially grateful 14 Thank You Businesses and Organizations

These businesses and organizations Danish Countryside Vines & Wines Marne & Elk Horn Telephone Co., Elk have contributed annual memberships of (Allan and Carol Petersen), Exira, Horn, Iowa at least $100. We recognize their gen- Iowa Midwest Groundcovers (Peter and erosity and support in each newsletter Danish Mutual Insurance Association, Irma Orum), St. Charles, Illinois during their membership. Elk Horn, Iowa Nebraska District of DBIA, Kearney, Danish Sisterhood Lodge #102, John- Nebraska A & A Framing (Annette Andersen), ston, Iowa Nelsen & Nelsen, Attorneys at Law, Kimballton, Iowa Elk Horn Pharmacy (Tim and Mary Cozad, Nebraska The American-Scandinavian Founda- Waymire), Elk Horn, Iowa O & H Danish Bakery, Racine, Wis- tion, Central Iowa, Des Moines, Elk Horn-Kimballton Community consin Iowa School, Elk Horn, Iowa Olsen, Muhlbauer & Co., L.L.P., Car- AmericInn, Elk Horn, Iowa Elk Horn-Kimballton Optimist Club, roll, Iowa Answers (Rick Tighe), Atlantic, Iowa Elk Horn, Iowa Outlook Study Club, Elk Horn, Iowa Atlantic Friends of The Danish Immi- Elverhoj Museum of History & Art, Proongily (Cynthia McKeen), St. grant Museum, Atlantic, Iowa Solvang, California Paul, Minnesota Carlson Wagonlit Travel (Ted and Exira Family Medicine Clinic (Dana Rebild National Park Society, Upper Barb Stenberg), Omaha, Nebraska and Joan Shaffer), Exira, Iowa Midwest Chapter, Maple Plain, Carroll Control Systems, Inc., Carroll, Faith, Family, Fredom Foundation Minnesota Iowa (Kenneth and Marlene Larsen), Rebild National Park Society, South- Cedar Valley Danes, Cedar Valley, Calistoga, California ern California Chapter, Glendale, Iowa Goldsmith Helle Jørvad, Ringsted, California Childs & Hall, P.C., Harlan, Iowa Denmark Red River Danes, Fargo, North Da- Cutler Funeral Home (Bob and Cyn- Hardi Midwest, Inc., Davenport, Iowa kota thia Cutler), LaPorte, Indiana Harlan Newspapers, Harlan, Iowa Ringsted Danish American Fellow- Danebod Lutheran Church, Tyler, Heart of Iowa Danes, Ames, Iowa ship, Ringsted, Iowa Minnesota Heartland District of the DBIA, Ven- Royal Danish Embassy, Washington, Danish American Club of Milwaukee, tura, Iowa D.C. West Bend, Wisconsin Jacquelyn’s Danish Bake Shoppe, Elk Shelby County State Bank, Elk Horn, Danish American Club in Orange Horn, Iowa Iowa County, Huntington Beach, Cali- Kessler Funeral Homes, Inc. (Mark Symra Literary Society, Decorah, fornia Kessler), Audubon, Iowa Iowa Danish American Vennelyst Club, King of Kings (Richard and Bonnie The Viking Club of Orange County, Omaha, Nebraska Andersen), Anchor Point, Arkansas Seal Beach, California Danish Brotherhood Lodge #14, KNOD Radio, Harlan, Iowa Westergaard Farms and Scandinavian Kenosha, Wisconsin Knudsen Old Timers, Glendale, Cali- Bed & Breakfast (Dale and Ellen Danish Brotherhood Lodge #15, Des fornia Westergaard Jackson), Whiting, Moines, Iowa Marge’s Hair Hut (Kent & Marge Iowa Danish Brotherhood Lodge #35, Ingerslev), Elk Horn, Iowa Homewood, Illinois Danish Brotherhood Lodge #39, Hay- ward, California Danish Brotherhood Lodge #56, Over- land Park, Kansas Danish Brotherhood Lodge #84, Lin- Have you coln, Nebraska Danish Brotherhood Lodge #268, been to our Eugene, Oregon Danish Brotherhood Lodge #283, website lately? Plentywood, Montana Danish Brotherhood Lodge #341, Kimballton/Elk Horn, Iowa Danish Brotherhood Lodge #348, www.danishmuseum.org Eugene, Oregon Danish Club of Tucson, Tucson, Arizona 15 New Additions to the Wall of Honor October 1, 2006 – January 15, 2006

The Danish Immigrant Mu- Jensen, Des Moines, Iowa Knud Nielsen, Roger Nielsen, seum’s Wall of Honor provides Else Marie (Prip) Jensen, Erna St. Paul, Minnesota families and friends with a means Jensen, Des Moines, Iowa Niels Christian Nielsen, Erna of preserving the memory of those Johanna Catherine Back Jensen, Des Moines, Iowa who emigrated from Denmark to Jensen, Nancy Darst, Omaha, Anna Nielsen Petersen, Erna America. Over 4,500 immigrants Nebraska Jensen, Des Moines, Iowa are currently recognized on the John Jensen, Erna Jensen, Des Ella Nicoline Willadsen Pe- Wall. Their stories and the stories Moines, Iowa tersen, Astrid Willadsen, of their families contribute impor- Karolina Marie Nielsen Jen- Irwin, Iowa tantly to the growing repository of sen, Erna Jensen, Des Moines, Karoline Fredericka Katrina family histories at the Museum’s Iowa Petersen, Erna Jensen, Des Family History and Genealogy Orla Norup Jensen, Erna Jen- Moines, Iowa Center. sen, Des Moines, Iowa Anders George (Jensen) If you would like to memorial- Oscar Laurits Jensen, Erna Seaholt, Erna Jensen, Des ize your forbearers by adding their Jensen, Des Moines, Iowa Moines, Iowa names to the Wall of Honor, contact Otto Ville Jensen, Erna Jensen, Anker Hedegard Siersbeck, Debbie Larsen, development as- Des Moines, Iowa Luther & Doris Kloth, Wau- sociate. Theofil Christian Jensen,Erna watosa, Wisconsin Nels Christian Block, Nels & Jensen, Des Moines, Iowa Ingvard & Mathilde Georgia Gwendolyn Block, Harlan, Albert Johnson & Anna Ka- Jacobsen Skobo, Glenn & Iowa trina Knudsen Johnson, Sally May Jackson, Rochester Hills, Anna M. Haahr, Lowell & Es- Ketcham, Ft. Collins, Colorado Michigan; Carol J. Weck- ther Haahr, Newell, Iowa Peter Christopher Nelson, muller, Blair, Nebraska; Alan Kirsten Pedersen a/k/a Ped- Stanley & Judith Nelson, Belle & Anne Jackson, Ann Arbor, ersdatter, Henriksen, Alvina Vista, Arizona Michigan; Dan & Kirsten Hjortsvang, Council Bluffs, Bodil Marie (Jensen) Nielsen, Young, Naperville, Illinois; Iowa Erna Jensen, Des Moines, and Rees & Edna McFarlane, Axel Valdemar Jensen, Erna Iowa Houston, Texas

Memorials October 1, 2006 – January 15, 2007 Memorials have been received Donald Haahr Grace Mardesen in loving memory of the following Anna Marie Hansen Virginia J. Nielsen individuals: Axel Hermansen Leroy Pedersen Linda Ahrenholtz Neal Hood Glenn E. Petersen Hans Albertsen Guy Huffman Mae Petersen Harold Albertsen John Jacobsen Delbert Rasmussen Donald N. Andersen Bernice Johnson Jens Reerslev Alfred “Bud” Clausen Anna Jorgensen Annelise & Jørgen Skelgaard Shirley Craig Edward C. Krause Joel Sorensen Edna Fredericksen Peter & Eva Larsen Holger Thompsen Vernon Frost 16 Board of Directors Meet in Houston The 75th regular meeting of the took in the sights. The various board seventy people in attendance responded Museum’s board of directors was held committees held their meetings there and with a standing ovation. in Houston, Texas, February 8 through the entire group was treated to a lunch Saturday morning from 8:30 a.m. 10, 2007 at the Embassy Suites Hous- provided by the community. until noon, the 75th regular meeting was ton, near the Galleria. Staff members On Friday evening the Museum held and was adjourned at approximately and the executive committee arrived on hosted members of the Danish Ameri- 12:00 pm. The executive committee Wednesday, February 7 and were guests can community at a banquet held at the stayed on for a short wrap-up session. for dinner at the home of Royal Danish Embassy Suites. Honored guests were The board of directors meets three Vice-Consul Anna Thomsen Holliday Royal Danish Consul Ray Daugbjerg and times a year: the annual meeting is held and her husband Hal. his wife Cherry and Vice-Consul Anna in Elk Horn in October and there are Thursday was a daylong meeting for Thomsen Holliday, and her husband two other out-of-state meetings—one the executive committee as the other Hal. in February and one in June. members of the board arrived through- Lan Chase Bentsen was the guest The board members are very dedi- out the day. Twenty of the twenty-four speaker at the banquet. Bentsen is Honor- cated. Each of them serves on several members of the board were in attendance ary Consul for the Republic of Georgia committees: collections, development, and gathered to hear a presentation and son of Lloyd Bentsen, Jr., former endowment, executive, facilities, family that evening from Vern Henricks, who United States senator from Texas and history and genealogy, finance, market- is working with the board and staff in Treasury secretary. Bentsen shared a ing, Museum Shop, and nominating. The developing a vision for the Museum’s compelling description of the family’s board is strictly volunteer; members sup- future. immigration from Denmark to South port the Museum financially and with the On Friday morning the entire board, Dakota. He closed with a letter his father gifts of time and expertise. All expenses staff, and guests took a field trip to the had written to his grandfather during incurred during the course of the board Danish community of Danevang, ap- World War II when he was serving as meetings are paid by the board members proximately seventy-five miles south a bomber pilot in the European theater. themselves. We are truly grateful to have of Houston. They viewed an orientation The letter captured his father’s pride in such a dedicated and supportive board video, toured The Danish Museum and family, heritage, and country. The nearly of directors to lead us into the future.

Admission & Hours Admission (Includes Bedstemor’s House) Current Museum Members: FREE with Membership Card Non-Members: Adults, $5 Children (ages 8-17), $2 Museum Hours: Mon.-Fri.: 9:00 am-5:00 pm; Sat.: 10:00 am-5:00 pm ; Sun.: 12:00 noon-5:00 pm Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Family History & Genealogy Center Hours May-Oct.: Tues., Wed., Fri., 9:00 am-5:00 pm; 1st & 3rd Saturday: 9:00 am-5:00 pm Nov.-April: Tues., Wed., Fri.: 10 am-4 pm Other Times By Appointment All facilities are closed on New Year’s Day, Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving & Christmas. (Local weather conditions may cause occasional closures.)

17 FAMILY HISTORY & GENEALOGY CENTER StAMtrÆ [email protected] News from the Family History & Genealogy Center By Michele McNabb, librarian

In Memoriam HeritageQuest Mae Marie (Ericksen) Petersen (1926-2007) Online™ Mae, a valuable FHGC volunteer for over a decade, passed away unexpectedly at her home near Jack- Over two hundred and eighty sonville, Iowa on January 5, 2007. She had spent the Danish Immigrant Museum previous Tuesday, as usual, as a volunteer in the library members are currently using the and was e-mailing with several family historians until genealogical databases Heritage- shortly before her death. Quest Online™ in their homes. Born near Jacksonville, Mae received her Normal Training teaching certifi cate and taught in rural schools Subscriptions are available at Between 1996 and for a decade before marrying Glenn Edwin Petersen in the $100 membership level and 2007, Mae Petersen 1954. She was active in the Bethlehem Lutheran Church above and may be started by fi lling put in over 2,900 hours in Jacksonville, where she was a lifelong member, a out the HeritageQuest form that as an FHGC volunteer charter member of the Community Heritage Society comes with the annual member- researcher. in Kimballton, Iowa, the Nishnabotna Genealogical ship renewal or by contacting Deb Society in Harlan, and The Danish Immigrant Museum. She was the co-author of a history of Jacksonville and also wrote a history of her church. Petersen was Larsen at the Museum. Heritage- inducted into the Shelby County Fair Hall of Fame in 1995 and was recognized Quest offers access to images of this past October for her efforts in helping to establish and staff the FHGC. U.S. censuses from 1790-1930, Mae’s extensive knowledge of local history and families was of great benefi t to over 20,000 searchable family researchers, and her tireless efforts to assist family historians and to go the extra step and local histories, the Periodical to fi nd records will be sorely missed. She is survived by two sons, Wayne Petersen and Carl Petersen, both of Jacksonville, several siblings and two grandchildren. Source Index (PERSI) referenc- ing nearly two million periodical articles, and Revolutionary War and Freedman’s Bank records. Wish List

There are several types of materials your family written a family history or will shed light on the personalities at the top of the FHGC Wish List. If you compilation of family data? If so, has a and concerns of our ancestors long would like to make a donation of the copy been donated to the museum? No after they have walked this earth. following items or contribute toward matter the format—formally publis- • Danish newspapers published in the the purchase of similar materials as hed volumes or photocopied material U.S.: A number of Danish-language part of our tenth anniversary fund-rais- put together for family reunions—we newspapers were published in various ing campaign, please contact Michele take them all! If you’re not certain communities. They contain local news McNabb at 712-764-7008 or librarian@ whether a family history has already of interest to immigrants, including danishmuseum.org or Thomas Hansen at been donated, we’ll be happy to check obituaries and social notices. Many 712-764-7001. our records. have been microfi lmed by various • Biographies, memoirs and collec- state historical societies and agencies. • With a Brush and Muslin Bag: the Life tions of family letters: do you have We have a list of newspapers from of Niels Ebbesen Hansen (2003), by a copy of reminiscences written Minnesota, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Helen H. Loen. down by a Danish immigrant or a Illinois that we would like to add to • A Global Citizen: Letter to my De- transcription of family letters? These the FHGC collection. An average roll scendants, part II (2006), by Niels materials are invaluable resources for of microfi lm costs $70-80; you can Aage Skov. future family historians since they “adopt” all or part of a roll of fi lm. • Family histories: has someone in 18 Activities and News from the Family History & Genealogy Center • A sampling of photographs from the 2006 TivoliFest exhibit “There’s No Place like Home” may now be seen in the Library & Genealogy section of the museum webpage under Photo Gallery. During TivoliFest 2007 the photograph exhibition will feature images of Danish immigrants who served in the military in both Denmark and the U.S. Photographs for the exhibit may be submitted beginning March 1 by email to Michele McNabb at [email protected] or by mail to the FHGC. If an image of an immigrant soldier, sailor or airman in your family is already in the library Librarian Michele McNabb (front row, center) pictured with some of the FHGC collection, please let us know about volunteers who work each week. it so that it may be included in the exhibit. FHGC • Thanks to the generosity of Melissa Partridge, editor of the Danish Vil- celebrates 10th lages Voice, bound issues of the anniversary newspaper and its predecessor from The tenth anniversary of the 1928 through 2004 are now stored and FHGC was celebrated with an available for viewing at the FHGC. open house and banquet during Volunteer Jim Kelgor has already the week of the board meeting in begun indexing vital records out of October. During the latter event the issues to allow ready access to former board members Helen this material for family historians. Stub and Dennis Andersen and Recent and upcoming volunteers Margaret Christens- speaking engagements: en, Norma Lange Nelson and In October 2006 The Family History & • February 17: “When Grandma Spoke Mae Petersen were recognized Genealogy Center celebrated its ten year an- ‘Dane’”—The Nordic Heritage for their major efforts in get- Genealogy Workshop at the Waco- ting the library organized and niversary. McLennan County Public Library, facilitating the creation of a national collection of Danish and Danish-American Waco, Texas family history. Announcing The FHGC Tenth Anniversary Fund-Raising Campaign, • April 17: “Bound for Jova”—Northe- executive director John Mark Nielsen and library manager Michele McNabb spoke ast Iowa Genealogical Society meet- about future dreams and goals for the library with the aim of making the collection ing, Cedar Falls, Iowa. even more useful to visitors researching their Danish ancestry. If you would like a genealogical speaker or workshop on Danish or Da- nish-American genealogy check the Classes & Workshops section of the museum webpage for topics a n d Researching Your Ancestors contact information. Are you looking for some good other useful publications related to Dan- • FHGC winter hours (10 a.m.-4 places and strategies for searching for ish research. In addition, there are useful p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and your ancestors? The FHGC sells several tips for getting started under Genealogy Fridays) will last until the end of resources for genealogists, including a Research on the Museum webpage and April. Appointments for other days sourcebook for beginning researchers a list of useful webpages may be found must be made in advance by calling called Unpuzzling Your Past, a guide to under Links. These resources can also the library during open hours. researching Danish ancestors, and several be sent by mail or e-mail upon request. 19 20