America Letter The Danish Immigrant Museum An International Cultural Center Spring 2004 Box 470 • Elk Horn, Iowa 51531 Vol. XVIII, No. 2
A Celebration of Heritage: Danish Folk Costumes in America Danish folk costumes represent one Danish heritage. They became a signifi- of the most colorful parts of the heritage cant connection to the Danish roots of left behind by Danish immigrants to the the people who wore them. United States. Some costumes were This exhibit shows the variation in brought over from the old country; color and style characteristic of the others were made after arriving in the original Danish costumes; at the same new land. time it gives a good idea of an emerging The costumes that were brought over fashion characterizing Danish American served as reminders of the old coun- folk dancing costumes. try – its history and culture, and were passed down through the families that settled here. The costumes reflected a variety of regions in Denmark and were often rich in both color and material. The ones found in the Museum’s col- lection are often missing their original blouse and apron, perhaps indicating Danish American folk dancing costumes – The costumes made by those of Danish that these parts weren’t seen as being heritage here in the United States have served as valuable as the actual dress, vest and as reminders of Denmark, but in a manner pants and therefore weren’t saved or “Five-fold bonnets” earned their name that has become identifiable as Danish were possibly worn out in more routine from the five folds in the back. The bonnets American. Instead of representing regions activities. were used throughout Denmark. In the begin- in Denmark, the costumes represented be- The costumes that were made in ning of the 19th century, bonnets with different ing Danish as a whole and, therefore, they America didn’t reflect regions in colored silk embroidery were common. From were more alike than the traditional Danish Denmark so much as they reflected the 1850’s onward, however, women wanted folk costumes. Danish heritage in general in terms of “clear necks”, which meant bonnets that had Danish American costumes, particularly their colors and uses. Danish American only backs embroidered with either gold or those used for folk dancing, tend to be charac- costumes were worn in parades, at folk silver thread and nothing else. terized by the use of three decorative borders dancing and other events celebrating on the skirt. A red ribbon is often used in a lacing pattern to close the costume vest, a These Odsherred folk costumes, (left) practice seldom seen in the cos-tumes made made from cotton, wool, chamois, linen in Denmark. The velvet caps, when used with and silk, are original Danish folk costumes the folk dancing costumes, frequently have (now over 200 years old) brought over from narrow lace edgings and satin ribbons, which Denmark. They were worn by Bertine and hang down on each side of the caps and are Jacob Norregaard at the New York World’s used to tie a bow. The white cotton aprons Fair in 1939-1940, as part of the opening frequently have fine needlework inserts. Red event of the Danish Pavilion. and white fabric is often used to represent Bertine Jensen Norregaard’s costumes the Danish flag. came down through her family. Bertine The folk dancing costumes seen here were Jensen and Jacob Norregaard were in their worn at special events such as parades, com- twenties in 1903-04, teaching gymnastics munity festivities, and even at The World’s and folk dancing at folk schools in Denmark, Fair in 1939. This way they have become when they met. They became engaged, and a way of not only remembering the Danish Jacob sailed in 1905 from Bremerhavn to heritage but also teaching others of the rich Tyler, Minnesota. Bertine came later (1906), history belonging to Danish immigrants and their descendants. – continued on page 2 Folk costumes in America . . . continued from page 1 and they married in Minneapolis, Minnesota The bonnet on November 10, 1906. Bertine brought was the part of the costumes with her when she came to the costumes America. that varied the The fabrics in the costumes were all hand- most from re- woven and sewn by Ole Jensen’s wife, who gion to region. It was from Odsherred in Zealand. She was showed the dif- Bertine’s great-great-grandmother. ference between Woman’s costume – The black skirt made young and old, in 1890 is a replacement for the original unmarried and made in 1790. The bands of ribbon used for married, and trim were taken from the original 1790 skirt. rich and poor. These ribbons were from France. It was usually made of black Man’s costume – The vest displayed here velvet; the embroidery styles, is Ole Nielsen’s original vest of homespun which enhanced it, were reflec- red and green striped woolen material; it tive of the wearer’s region. was made in 1790. The chamois pants, which Unmarried women took were made by Bertine to replace the first pair up bonnet making as an extra in approximately 1930, are a copy of the income. Anyone wanting a original 1790 pants. Ole Nielsen’s original bonnet would give an amount red wool cap from 1790 is also displayed. of money to the seamstress and have her make the most of it. Bonnet makers were usually Danish folk costumes were made daughters of craftsmen; they primarily from 3 different fab- had learned the necessary rics: skills from their mothers or 1. “Vadmel” – fabric made from grandmothers. Once women wool got married they didn’t have 2. “Hvergarn” – fabric made from a time to make bonnets, as the mixture of wool and flax work that went into them was very time demanding. 3. “Lærred” – fabric made from flax The making of fabric was a way of saving up. Putting together a chest full of The men’s costumes (cen- clothes, beddings, etc. for the daughters ter) varied less from region to of the family was an investment in the region than the women’s did. future, securing a good economic status Both men and boys wore hats for one’s children. Also, to have lots – often knitted and red. The of fabric for making more clothes was vests were made so that they could be turned over and worn important before marriage, because the on either side to make the most content of the chest was to last a whole of the fabric. lifetime. Up until the Renaissance, The wool was mostly obtained from men wore long pants but after sheep belonging to the family. The that the knee-pants were introduced and only The apron (above) was an important women went through the whole process- fishermen stuck to the long ones. The knee- part of a woman’s folk costume during both ing of the wool themselves. This took a pants were made from white wool, velvet or work and festivities. No matter which occa- long time and also demanded a certain chamois and sometimes had beautiful buttons sion, it always had to be clean. For everyday expertise, which took years to gain. Each that served as both ornaments and a way of purposes, aprons were made of linen or wool and for more joyous occasions, they could be farmhouse would have 3-7 sheep and in fastening the pants. The women had many things that would help them flaunt their made of silk. Scarfs were worn around the May and September the women washed neck to protect the skin from the cold, but and cut the sheep. After the washing and wealth, lace and embroidery among them, but the men had only buttons to show off as also to keep the pale skin that was so highly cutting a long process of turning the wool sought after. status symbols. Girls went bareheaded with braided hair into fabric usable for costumes began. Shirts were a complicated matter made or wore caps until they got married. Once During the long winter nights the women from 15 pieces that had to be cut from one would work on the wool with their chil- married, a woman could not show her hair single piece of fabric. The wedding shirt was and it was therefore hidden under a scarf or dren and maids. The wool would then be made by the future wife and often the man a bonnet. used for socks, hats, mittens and shawls would wear it from his wedding day to the This exhibit is made possible through a generous or woven together with flax into fabric day he died. gift from the Eric and Joan Norgaard Charitable that could be used to make skirts, vests Trust of Glenview, Illinois. etc. 2 America Letter Director’s Corner by John Mark have shared the dream of creating The Published Three Times Annually By Nielsen Danish Immigrant Museum. The Danish Immigrant Museum on January 21, In assuming this position, I have 2212 Washington, POBox 470 2004, Norman C. been challenged to grow in other ways Elk Horn, Iowa 51531 712-764-7001 800-759-9192 Bansen died. He as well. I have come to appreciate how FAX 712-764-7002 was one of several the generosity of individuals who share www.danishmuseum.org individuals whose an appreciation for their heritage makes email: [email protected] vision led to the the Museum possible. One can have a founding of The vision, but one also needs resources. We Board of Directors Danish Immigrant have been blessed with generous donors President - Joy Ibsen, Trout Creek, MI Museum, and he was a charter member of who give what they can. For this I am Vice-President - Vern Hunter, Fargo, ND Secretary - Julie Jorgensen, Wayzata, MN the Museum’s Board of Directors. With grateful. Treasurer - Clark Mathisen, Omaha, NE his passing, I lost a mentor and friend. we also have individuals who under- Birgit Andersen, Ithaca, NY Many of us can point to specific indi- stand that the long-term success of The Egon Bodtker, Salem, OR viduals who have influenced our lives. Danish Immigrant Museum involves Ronald Bro, Parkersburg, IA Among those I would identify are my investing beyond their lifetimes, and so Dr. Borge M. Christensen, Tucson, AZ Lois Christensen, Elk Horn, IA parents and grandparents who instilled they have made provisions for the Mu- Thomas Christensen, Bettendorf, IA in me a love and appreciation for family seum in their estates. Norman was one of Anne-Marie Douglas, Chicago, IL and for my cultural and spiritual heritage. these individuals. So too were Herbert C. Jan Eakins, Seattle, WA It was Norman Bansen, however, who Madison of Bethesda, Maryland, Reola Dr. Gordon R. Esbeck, Tipton, IA as my teacher at Dana College intro- Johnsen Lerager of Wichita, Kansas, and Thomas Hansen, Blair, NE Erna Jensen, Des Moines, IA duced me to Scandinavian and Asian Clyde E. Johnson of Omaha, Nebraska, Harold M. Jensen, Ames, IA literature. The study and teaching of all who passed away last summer. In Nils Jensen, Portland, OR these literatures have shaped most of designating the Museum as a beneficiary, Orville Juhler, Harlan, IA my professional life. Exploration of these individuals have expressed faith in Peter Kelly, Middle Haddam, CT Danish and Indian culture has resulted our work and invested in our future. Dagmar Muthamia, Long Beach, CA Kai Nyby, La Porte, IN in opportunities to travel and teach in when I was a young member of the Curt Pedersen, Tucson, AZ Denmark and India, experiences that Museum’s site selection committee and Marc L. Petersen, Omaha, NE were profoundly influential. later a charter member of the Museum’s Anelise Sawkins, Minneapolis, MN But Norman’s influence on my life Board of Directors, I did not fully ap- Linda Sloth-Gibbs, Yuma, AZ was also manifested in another important preciate the significance of this kind of Ex-Officio way. In the autumn of 1982, Norman support. Indeed, I confess that there’s still Dennis Larson: Decorah, IA suggested to Signe Betsinger and Arnold a part of me that finds it uncomfortable Staff Botdker that I be added to the committee to discuss issues of this nature. With Executive Director: Dr. John Mark Nielsen, assigned to identify a site for a museum time and experience, I’m growing in my [email protected] that preserved and celebrated the story of understanding. I’m grateful for Norman’s General Information & Inquiries About Danish immigration. I was appointed to influence in my life; I carry a part of Volunteering: [email protected] that committee, and so began a personal him with me. But I’m also grateful for Group & Special Tours: Terri Johnson, journey that has led step by step to my the provisions that he and others have [email protected] current position as Executive Director. made for the Museum in their estates. Wall of Honor, Donations, Memorial Gifts In this position, I have the responsibility Their generosity allows us to be and to & Memberships: Deb Larsen, develop- [email protected] of carrying forward Norman’s vision and grow. Bookkeeping & Financial Inquiries: Jenni- the vision of those many individuals who fer Winters, [email protected] Donations of Artifacts & Exhibit Questions: Barbara Lund-Jones, M.Phil, curator@ danishmuseum.org Past Donations & Museum Loans: Angela Insuring the Museum’s Future: Stanford, [email protected] Museum Shop: Jan Paulsen, giftshop@ How You Can Contribute danishmuseum.org Donation of Books & Library Questions: The Danish Immigrant Museum’s realizing your charitable objectives and Michele McNabb, MLS, librarian@ future can be assured through the con- supporting the Museum’s work. Cash danishmuseum.org tinued support of its members. There gifts qualify as a charitable deduction for Genealogical & Translation Inquiries: are a number of ways in which you, our federal income tax purposes and are fully [email protected] members, can make significant contribu- deductible up to 50% of your adjusted Volunteer Coordinator: Joyce Petersen, Connie Johnson tions. gross income in the year that you make Custodian: Tim Fredericksen Cash Gifts the gift. Deduction amounts exceeding Cash gifts are the simplest way of this limit may be carried forward up to 3 – continued on page 4 Insuring the Museum’s future . . . – continued from page 3 five additional years. estate tax purposes. Gifts of IRA assets gift has been made. Securities are especially good bequests to the Mu- Gifts with an Income gifts of appreciated securities held seum. Interest to the Museum longer than one year (stocks, bonds, and Life Insurance Through a charitable lead trust, donors stock in closely held companies) may There are several ways that you can can provide income to the Museum for a also be used to contribute to the Museum. give to the Museum through life insur- period of years, at the end of which the You may completely avoid capital gains ance. You can give a policy that you principal reverts back to the donor or tax while deducting the full current fair already own, assign the dividends as a passes to other members of the individ- market value of the gift. Transfer of gift, or name the Museum as a beneficiary ual’s family. Often there is a significant securities to the Museum can be done of the death benefits. In addition to estate estate tax benefit. through the Atlantic, Iowa, Office of UBS tax benefits, donors may also gain an The staff at The Danish Immigrant Financial Services at 1.800.442.5887. income tax deduction while contributing Museum welcomes your questions and Bequests to the Museum. would be delighted to discuss gift op- Through a will, you may assure the Real Estate portunities with you. Museum’s legacy. The Museum may be a gift of property held for more than Many members have made significant named as a residuary beneficiary of an one year can provide the same federal contributions of stock or named The Dan- estate, as the recipient of a specified gift tax advantages as a gift of securities. ish Immigrant Museum a beneficiary of or contingent bequest, or as the ultimate You may also choose to retain the right their estate. beneficiary of a charitable remainder to live in a donated residence after your trust. Bequests are deductible for federal “Across Oceans, Across Time”® in A Letter from the Royal Danish Radio and Print Embassy, Washington D.C. in an effort to serve our widely scattered membership, the Museum has initiated a weekly radio program that can be accessed on the Internet and a column that appears in the two Danish language newspapers: Bien and Den Danske Pioneer. 30 December 2003 on Tuesday mornings, beginning in Since its establishment in 1983 The Danish Immi- April, KJAN, the local radio station in grant Museum is fulfilling a very important mission as a Atlantic, Iowa, is broadcasting a five- preserver of Danish culture and heritage for present and minute program from the Museum. Staff future generations of Danes and Danish-Americans in the members describe exhibits and artifacts or United States. The Museum is the only one of its kind in share stories from Danish culture or the the United States. immigrant experience. Through its exhibitions and programs, the Museum tells each week’s program is placed on the stories of the early as well as later Danish immigrants’ experiences traveling across North America. KJAN’s website where you can listen no Coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the Museum matter where you live. Access this weekly this year the Family History and Genealogy Center was expanded and thereby improved broadcast by going to www.kjan.com and the research facilities and resources. then clicking on “Contests and Programs.” i am proud of all the efforts and achievements of the Museum and I wish to thank the On the next screen, click on the Museum’s staff for their dedicated work. logo, wait while it loads, and you’ll hear all these achievements are however not possible without support from donors and I from us. therefore highly recommend support be given to The Danish Immigrant Museum. last December, the Museum initiated i wish The Danish Immigrant Museum continued success. a column in the two Danish language newspapers. Issues feature stories and pho- tographs from the Museum’s collections or from the Family History and Genealogy Center, written by Barbara Lund-Jones and Michele McNabb. Our ability to run these stories has been made possible in part through the generos- Editor’s Note: A significant monetary gift from the Royal Danish Embassy accompanied ity of the Steffensen family, publishers of Ambassador Federspiel’s letter for which the Museum is deeply grateful. Den Danske Pioneer and Gert and Jytte Bien Madsen publishers of . 4 Museum Membership Drive The Danish Immigrant Museum depends on its membership to meet the challenges of preserving the Danish im- migrant heritage. We need our member- ship to meet the challenges of caring for the artifacts from thousands of donors. Members have the satisfaction of know- Angela Stanford Terri Johnson ing that their support does help preserve history. The Museum Welcomes New Staff The Danish Immigrant Museum, The Danish Immigrant Museum is and then returned to the museum in along with the joint efforts of its Board pleased to introduce two new members Corydon as Database and Exhibit De- of Directors, is taking an active role of to our staff. Angela Stanford joins us velopment Assistant. increasing the Museum’s membership. as Registrar and Collections Manager, Terri Johnson of Manning, Iowa, most Our overall goal is to recruit 500 new or and Terri Johnson has been hired as the recently served as Executive Director of lapsed memberships by August 31st, the Museum’s Executive Assistant. Each the Manning Heritage Foundation, a non- end of our fiscal year. comes with experiences and skills that profit organization with responsibility for at the February 2004 Board meeting complement the present staff. We’re promotion and maintenance of Hausbarn in Yorba Linda, California, the Board happy they have joined us. that the Foundation moved from Ger- dedicated itself to each present board “A small town girl,” as she puts it, many. A native of North Minneapolis, member recruiting ten new or lapsed Angela grew up in Allerton on the Iowa- Minnesota, she worked for the City of members. The Board is actively pursu- Missouri border, south of Des Moines. Robbinsdale where she served as City ing this new endeavor. The Museum is She attended Graceland University in Clerk from 1991 to 1994. In 1994, she grateful for their willingness to commit Lamoni where she majored in History and her husband, Richard, and their two and ran cross-country. During the sum- children relocated to Manning, Iowa, to to this important effort. mer of 1998, she interned at the Prairie escape the hectic pace of the Twin Cities. The Museum’s development depart- Trails Historical Museum in Corydon, Terri says, however, that one can get just ment has prepared itself for the assign- Iowa. Her experience there inspired an as involved in small towns as there’s so ment of conducting a Phone-a-Thon interest in museums that led her to a much to do. She comes to the Museum Drive. This recruitment campaign is graduate program in Historical Admin- with experience and contacts in Iowa targeting the Museum’s lapsed mem- istration at Eastern Illinois University in tourism. berships from 1997 through 2002. The Charleston, Illinois. After completing her structure of this action begins with the coursework, she interned at the Boulder mailing of a groundwork letter inviting History Museum in Boulder, Colorado, the individual to rejoin. The second phase of the membership drive is to Former Board Member hold a Phone-A-Thon. With the help of volunteers, an invitational phone call to Lead AARP is made two weeks following the sent Erik D. Olsen, D.D.S. of Glenbrook, Nevada, has been named letter to those who did not respond. At President-elect of the American Association of Retired People this time, we also learn how the Museum (AARP). He will serve as President-elect for two years and automati- might better serve their interests and any cally become national President in 2006. concerns or suggestions they may have Erik and his wife, Jackie are members of the Museum’s Lifetime for the Museum. Leadership Society, a group of individuals who have donated over Basic membership provides admis- $25,000 to the Museum. Erik also served on the Museum’s Board sion to the Museum and pays for three of Director from 1995 to 1999, and both he and his wife continue in their support for newsletters and an annual report. Every the Museum. dollar beyond the basic membership as- sists in preserving the collection, main- Current Board Member is Named Knight of Dannebrog taining the building facilities and paying Board member Anelise Sawkins, Honorary Danish Consul for Minnesota and the for staff. Gifts of artifacts are gratefully Dakotas, has been named a Knight of the Order of the Dannebrog by Her Majesty accepted, but each gift brings with it an Queen Margrethe II of Denmark. Anelise was presented with the Cross of Dannebrog on-going cost of caring for it. at the Annual Queens Ball held in Minneapolis on April 17, 2004. 5 – continued on page 6 From A Curatorial Perspective . . . by Barbara Lund-Jones internship projects have dominated ing and documenting the individual folk and made significant contributions to the last few months. From February costumes in the Museum’s collection, as the projects in which she was involved. 9th through April 21st, Freja Børsting, a well as the general exhibition research, Many of Freja’s research findings are student in Cultural Studies at the Uni- which placed the costumes within their embedded in the text accompanying the versity of Copenhagen, served as an proper context, whether it be from a exhibit photographs on pages one and intern in the curatorial department. Her specific region of Denmark or, more two of this newsletter. Freja was also responsibilities involved research for and properly, within the Danish American an enormous help with a major book- participation in the planning of the 2004 folk dancing tradition. sorting project initiated by the curatorial spring/summer exhibit, A Celebration Freja dressed all of the exhibition department early this year. of Heritage: Danish Folk Costumes in mannequins and arranged their place- aubrey Biangi of Atlantic, Iowa America. ment within the exhibition. She took entered into a second, though much Freja was responsible for photograph- her work at the Museum very seriously shorter, internship under the direction of the curatorial department. Aubrey is a practicing nurse, earning some credits in the humanities through Iowa Western Community College. Her internship was Reflecting on My Internship associated with a course in Iowa History. by Freja Børsting my experience at The Danish Im- In order to give Aubrey maximum learn- University of Copenhagen migrant Museum has shown me how ing benefit despite a relatively short term The last eleven weeks I’ve witnessed people’s visions of building a cultural of service, she was assigned to work with at The Danish Immigrant Museum how center in the middle of Iowa has turned the second exhibit mounted this spring, an interest for cultural heritage has helped out to be a success. With help from donors Expressions of a Danish American build a lasting memory for people of and volunteers The Danish Immigrant Identity: Exploring the Creative Work Danish roots from all over the United Museum will keep moving forward, of Lorraine Larsen. States. It has been quite a journey. I have bringing people even closer to their aubrey’s responsibilities entailed learned a lot and have been overwhelmed Danish heritage and keeping it alive for close work with the artist. She was as- by the warmth present in this place. many generations and years to come. Re- signed the development of a biographical i am not quite sure what I expected membering ones roots with interest and sketch for the artist, as well as a work-up of this internship before I got over here. pride will help build a strong identity on of a historical context for the individual While packing my suitcase in Denmark both a personal and communal level. pieces of work shown in the exhibit. I was more worried about finally getting i am grateful that I got the opportu- Aubrey distinguished herself through my visa and having all the paper work nity to witness a young museum that the development of an excellent rapport ready than what I was actually going to be has managed to create a foundation for with the Audubon, Iowa artist, Lorraine doing while interning at the Museum. keeping alive the stories of the many Larsen. The information she gathered after arriving in Elk Horn though I Danish immigrants who came to the contributed importantly to the develop- soon realized that I was going to learn States in search of better lives. As a Dane ment of the exhibit in its final form. a lot - not just about the folk costumes I am proud to see how hard everybody I was going to research - but also how is working to preserve the Danish his- this small community has come together tory and also are keeping it alive in their to make sure that the Danish cultural every day lives. The result of the mixture Admission & Hours heritage will not be forgotten. The sup- between Danish and American culture is Admission port from the community is incredible. something quite unique that’s well worth (Includes Bedstemor’s House) Museums in Denmark usually don’t preserving, and hopefully I will be able Current Museum Members: FREE with Membership Card have volunteer programs and are often to return some day to see how far the Non-Members: Adults, $5; not as open to letting in the community Museum has prospered. Children (ages 8-17), $2 as museums are in the States. Museum Hours Mon.-Fri.: 9:00 am-5:00 pm; Sat.: 10:00 am- 5:00 pm ; Sun.: 12:00 noon-5:00 pm – continued from page 5 Business Hours Membership drive . . . Monday - Friday: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm In a global community fragmented by strife, preserving and understanding Family History & Genealogy Cen- one’s ethnic and cultural heritage can help us understand our values, beliefs and ter Hours assumptions and in turn assist us in understanding how we interact with peoples May-Oct.: Tues., Wed., Fri., 9:00 am-5:00 pm of other cultures and ethnic backgrounds. It reminds us too that we are part of a 1st & 3rd Saturday: 9:00 am-5:00 pm larger human story of migration. Nov.-April: Tues., Wed., Fri.: 10 am-4 pm Other Times By Appointment support also ensures that the experiences of immigrants from a relatively small All facilities are closed on New Year’s Day, nation played a role in shaping world events. This reminds us that individuals do Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving & Christmas. matter and contribute much to the unfolding of human history. (Local weather conditions may cause occasional closures.) 6 Expressions of a Danish American Identity: Exploring the Creative Work of Lorraine Larsen
For many years, Lorraine Larsen was a farm homemaker. She started painting shortly after the family’s youngest child got married and moved away in 1964. She wanted to have a hobby on the farm. By 1970, Lorraine was a proficient, self-taught artist.O ver the years, her creativity has taken a number of forms. Her work as an artist has included sketching, drawing, watercolor painting, oil painting, mold making, quilt making, plate making and doll making. Memory plays an important role in Lorraine’s work, particularly her paintings. Several of her paintings reflect her childhood experiences. She grew up in an early DanishA merican home and spoke primarily Danish as a small child. Her Jule Aften (Christmas Eve) painting depicts, with great charm, the Danish tradition of dancing around the Christmas tree. Danish American homes throughout America kept this tradition vividly alive. another of Lorraine Larsen’s paintings depicts the teasing that she was subjected to in country school because she spoke a language other than English. She shows herself being chased by a large girl, who frequently teased her because she spoke Danish. In a mixture of Danish and Lorraine dances around the English, Lorraine, the child, calls out “quit nappe mig” (quit pinching me). Lorraine’s parents Christmas tree with her two sisters strongly encouraged her to learn the “new language,” English, in Kindergarten. and male cousins, 1985 In addition to these paintings, a number of Lorraine’s figurines reflect her Danish heritage Oil painting both in terms of her choice of subject matter and in her choice of coloring. Many were made lorraine remembers her childhood experiences at Christmastime in this from clay found on the Larsen farm. oil painting of “Christmas at Grandma Some of Lorraine’s art work springs from her vivid memory. Other pieces develop from Hansen’s”. Grandma Hansen lived on her study of old photographs that have meaning for her. In Lorraine’s words, “You may forget a farm northwest of Audubon, Iowa. Family members would gather in her what people did or said, but you can never forget the way they made you feel”. Lorraine’s vivid home and celebrate Christmas as they recall of a range of experiences contributes to the individual nature of her work. The current had in Denmark. After their meal, the exhibit honors her remarkable talent. tree would be brought out and the candles lighted. The children would The figurines in this gather around the tree and sing songs case are made from while merrily dancing. When the danc- clay found on the ing and singing stopped, the family Larsen farm. members would exchange presents. In During the early 1970s (c. this painting, Lorraine is the child with 1970-1972), Lorraine Larsen blond hair and a blue dress. She dances worked at Greentree Pottery around the tree with her two sisters in Audubon, Iowa - a business and two of her male cousins. Note the owned and managed by Judy many details so adroitly captured in this Sutcliffe. Initially, they made work. Heritage plates. They made about 75 in total. Early on, however, Lorraine as a child holding an they began experimenting with other forms of expression. Lorraine’s association with Ms. admired doll, 1983 Sutcliffe led to invaluable experimentation and a broadening of Lorraine’s talents. While associated with the pottery, Lorraine began to experiment with the making of figurines from Oil painting the red clay on the Larsen farm. During the course of time, she made several figurines from During the years that Lorraine this clay, some of which are displayed in this case. Some of the figures were sculpted as grew up, families often did not have the challenges; others were carefully molded to represent people that had meaning in Lorraine’s resources to give dolls to their little girls for presents, or, if they were able, life. such gifts were few and far between. Lorraine has always cherished dolls and, as a child, vowed to have more. In this painting, she has reinterpreted More photos on page 8 an early photograph depicting herself as a young girl standing with her two sisters and holding her doll. In the painting, Lorraine stands alone, holding her doll, emphasizing its importance to the girl. 7 Museum partners The Bully: with organizations From Sandbox to in Holocaust those written by 9th and 10th graders and Global Stage essay contest those by 11th and 12th graders. First, second Brandon Boyd For the past two years, The Danish and third place winners in each category Ninth Grader, Blair High School Immigrant Museum has partnered with received cash prizes, and students whose All-important lessons that are learned Dana College in Blair, Nebraska and the essays received honorable mentions were in life have been learned in the sandbox. Anti-Defamation League’s Institute for awarded a certificate and book on the This common phrase is true of people as Holocaust Studies in Omaha, to sponsor a Holocaust. well as nations. The horrific events of high school essay in the Omaha area. Our The theme of this year’s essay contest the Holocaust could not have happened cooperation arises from the rescue of the was moral courage. Over 250 students had it not been for life’s lessons to have Danish Jews during World War II, but the submitted essays. As an example of our steered off course among the leaders of focus has been expanded to pay tribute to effort to engage a younger audience, the Nazi Germany. The deaths of millions all rescuers. Next year, our plans are to cosponsors are pleased to share “The of Jews are to blame on this hateful, expand the contest to the Lincoln Public Bully: From Sandbox to Global Stage.” and misguided, thinking which became Schools and Elk Horn-Kimballton High This essay won first prize in the 9th-10th political actions. Fortunately, some lives School and high schools in surrounding grade category and draws upon the rescue were spared due to the moral courage of communities. of the Danish Jews for inspiration. others, and that can provide inspiration Essays are divided into two categories, for us today as we seek to take a stand for those that are incapable of standing up for themselves. speculations have arisen that Hitler Lorraine Larsen Exhibit . . . – continued from page 7 and Stalin were bullied and abused as children. Hitler, in Mein Kampf, indi- cates that his childhood was somewhat normal. However, this is debated by many. “In his book, The Mind of Adolf Hitler, Walter C. Langer describes Hit- ler’s father as ‘brutal, unjust, and incon- siderate. He had no respect for anybody or anything.... [He] played the part of the bully and whipped his wife and children Lorraine and Leroy Larsen’s farm northwest who were unable to defend themselves. of Audubon, Iowa, 1970 Even the dog comes in for his share of Oil painting lorraine painted this scene ten years before she this sadistic display’” (Boraker 4). This and Leroy moved from their farm into the town bullying gave rise to seeds of hatred, and of Audubon. The farm now has few buildings they were later vented against the Jewish standing. Lorraine’s talent has recreated vital, people. detailed memoirs from the Larsen family’s farm Fortunately, there were a few who life. The Larsens farmed traditionally, raising corn and soybeans. Additionally, they fed cattle took a stand against Hitler’s brutality. for marketing. At one point in his cattle buying, “Of all the countries of Nazi-occupied Leroy participated in cattle roundups in western Europe, only Denmark rescued virtually Nebraska. Lorraine has documented that activity – continued on page 9 Lorraine, blond child in the foreground, is chased in another of her oil paintings. by an older girl during school recess because of Lorraine’s use of Danish, 1974 Oil painting College for Seniors at Iowa State University The setting for this painting is a recess break Three Museum staff members served as guest faculty for Iowa State University’s College for Seniors. at the Ross Schoolhouse, a one-room schoolhouse Modeled on the popular Elderhostel concept, ISU offers eight-week courses for seniors in Ames and the that was located in north central Audubon County, surrounding area. “Ethnicity in Iowa: The Scandinavian Experience” was one of the courses offered during Iowa. The school no longer exists but Lorraine’s the spring of 2004. The Museum’s staff joined ISU faculty and the curator from Vesterheim Museum in memories of it remain vivid. In the foreground Decorah, Iowa, as presenters. According to Jorgen Rasmussen, a retired ISU faculty member and course of the painting, one may observe an older girl organizer, this class had the highest enrollment of the courses offered during the spring. chasing Lorraine, who cried out “Quit Nappe on April 12th, Curator Barbara Lund-Jones presented “Developing a Heritage Collection,” focusing on Mig” or “Quit Pinching Me”. Lorraine spoke the ways in which The Danish Immigrant Museum has been developing a collection that is at once local little English at that time and the older girl often and national in character. Dr. John Mark Nielsen followed her on April 19th with a presentation entitled, “tormented” her for speaking Danish. Lorraine’s “Pot Boilers, Shoot-Outs and Sentimental Romances.” He examined the popular fiction written by Dan- parents strongly encouraged their daughter to ish immigrant writers for audiences both in Denmark and the United States. Family History Librarian th learn the “new language” in Kindergarten. Michele McNabb completed the Museum’s participation on April 26 with a presentation “Researching Danish Immigrant Ancestors” that overviewed available Danish and U.S. resources for researching Danish ancestry. 8 My brother, who was a sophomore last The Bully . . . year, demonstrated he shares this view – continued from page 8 when he came to the aid of an eighth- all its Jews” (Berenbaum 157). The stand grader who was taking some classes at the against the eradication of the Jews in high school. Some students resented the Denmark was a matter of faith: faith in presence of this middle school student, God above man. H. Fuglsang-Damgaard, and picked on him. My brother inter- the Lutheran Bishop of Copenhagen, vened when a big bully had his knee on openly urged Danes to protect the Jews. the neck of this eighth-grader. He made He proclaimed: “We shall fight for the it clear to his fellow high-school students cause that our Jewish brothers and sisters that the eighth-grader was hands off. may preserve the same freedom which My brother took a moral stand against we ourselves evaluate more highly than another in his own class. He made it clear life. We must obey God before we obey to other bystanders that abuse of those man” (Berenbaum 158). The Danes did unable to fend for themselves would not not look upon the Jews as a separate race, be tolerated. Among those attending Grand View but looked upon them as countrymen, Bullies, like Hitler and Stalin, are College’s “Studenterfest” were (l-r) Egon neighbors and friends. It would have been often children who have been abused or Bodtker and Diana Bodtker of Salem, OR; unnatural, and immoral, to look the other bullied themselves. They bully to give and Erik Sorensen of Monroe, IA. way. By their display of moral courage, as themselves a sense of power, when in many risked their own lives in the effort, their lives they are experiencing issues, Grand View 7,220 Jews were able to secure freedom which they have no power over. Inter- College holds in Sweden, and others were looked after vention is often required to break the in concentration camps. chain of violence, and the bullies must Studenterfest ’04 Today we can look to the Danes he- be made to feel a part of the group so Grand View College’s “Studenterfest” roic efforts as a source of inspiration as they don’t feel isolated from others. If was held the first weekend of April in we deal with one of the greatest threats there is no intervention, and no success Des Moines, Iowa. On Friday, April 2nd, to our own schools, nation, and lives at bringing them in as part of the group, Danish writer Peter Fogtdal presented a — bullying. “It is disturbing to learn their future is bleak. “By age 24, up to lecture titled “Vikings on Valium”, Den- that 160,000 children miss school daily sixty percent of people who are identi- mark as seen through the eyes of foreign due to fear of attack, peer intimidation fied as childhood bullies have at least visitors through the ages. The Danish or bullying, and that 24 percent of high one criminal conviction” (OPD). Immigrant Museum was represented at school students say they took a weapon So goes the health of childhood, so “Studenterfest” on Saturday, April 3rd to school in the past year”(Druck). This goes the health of adulthood, and so can is a problem of immense magnitude, and go the health of a nation and its leaders. with a booth set up along the Taste of even has roots locally. As recently as It is critical that hate is not able to mani- Grand View Marketplace. Deb Larsen this weekend, the Omaha World-Herald fest itself in the home, in school, or in and Museum intern, Freja Børsting, reported in their 2/21/04 edition that a society as a whole. Bullying, hatred for visited with college students, alumni and Millard North teenager was beaten in others manifested physically, tends to visitors. his own front yard by two other students pass on generation to generation without while another videotaped the beating and the intervention of those who choose to fifteen other students watched. In Blair, show moral courage: placing themselves Nebraska, this school year, news media in harms way to blunt the attacks and reported that a student was shocked by a building bridges for the bully and victim cattle prod while others stood idly by. alike. The world is a giant sandbox; we Where was the moral courage of those must learn the lessons of childhood well who failed to intervene? They apparently if we are to make the world a happier did not realize they were accomplices by and safer place for all. their non-action. “When the dignity and Works Cited Berenbaum, Michael. The World Must Know. The safety of an individual is assaulted, the History of the Holocaust as Told in the United States dignity and fabric of the group as a whole Holocaust Memorial Museum. Boston: Little, Brown is diminished” (Coloroso 22). Last year, and Company, 1993. Boraker, Robert C. “What is Evil” Evil Unprec- as a Conflict Manager for my school, I edented – Vision Journal. 22 February 2004.
10 A Week at the Family History and Genealogy Center by Michele McNabb What does a Librarian DO All Day? That’s an easy question, isn’t it? Librarians read books when not dealing with patrons. Contrary to this popular misconception (and I have never yet met a librarian who does read books during working hours), our time gets spent doing a lot of different things, and often multi-tasking. This is especially true when one is the only staff person and the buck stops with Michele. To answer the question of what I do do all day, I recently kept track of my activities for an entire week and thought I’d pass on a synopsis of my la- bors to AL readers. (Should anyone be a real glutton for punishment. you’re welcome to an hour-by-hour description of the week!) My usual workday is 8am to 5pm. Since The David Simpich Marionettes held performances in Elk Horn this past April. the library is not in the main Museum build- ing, the first thing I do each day is telephone the Museum to let another staff member know The David Simpich Marionettes that I have arrived. The next thing on the list is to turn on lights and computers, and hold performances attend to infrastructure chores. These may st be as diverse as watering the flower-boxes The David Simpich Marionettes per- AP English class on Thursday, April 1 . or shoveling snow outside the building, formed The Hans Christian Andersen Fogtdal, who has written a number of checking toilet paper or soap supplies in the Storybook, “a marionette play set some- historical novels as well as screenplays restroom, adding paper to printers, or making where inside a volume of the famous for both film and television, discussed coffee for the volunteers (and myself) on the Dane’s fairy tales” on April 1st and 2nd. the craft of writing. As a part of his visit days we’re open to the public. There was a public performance on to America’s heartland, he also lectured The next task is attending to email. Over Friday evening, April 2nd, in the old gym- at Dana College in Blair, Nebraska, and one-half of our remote inquiries come elec- nasium of the Elk Horn/Kimballton Com- Grand View College in Des Moines. tronically, and I like to respond as soon as munity Schools. Three performances for Thanks to a generous gift from Dennis possible, so I check my email several times the students were held on Thursday, April Andersen, Elk Horn native and former a day. For those who want help looking for 1st, and on Friday, April 2nd. Museum board member who resides in their ancestors, we have a number of forms and informational materials that we attach in addition to the marionette perfor- Atlanta, Georgia, the Museum was able to return email to let people know our hours, mances, Peter H. Fogtdal, a best-selling to sponsor these exciting events. location, research and translation fees, and to Danish writer spoke to the high school’s provide aids to doing genealogical research. Many of the people who contact us initially will not do so again because we charge fees for our services, but there are enough people out there who do want our assistance to keep Corrections to the my volunteers and me busy. But there are other kinds of email as well. On Monday, one of our long-distance Annual Report data-entry volunteers sent me the file she had completed on the Danish Brotherhood lodge we have learned of two errors in our 2003 Annual Report: for Portland, Maine. I reformatted and saved • The Danish Club of Milwaukee should have appeared among the Order of Lol- it, printed it out for future proof-reading, land contributors as the club made a $500 donation during 2003. made up a file folder for the print-out, re- • Floyd and Dorothy Jorgensen of Pinewood, Minnesota, gave a special memorial sorted the data into an alphabetical listing, gift in honor of Dorothy’s grandparents Olga and Soren Jensen. Their last name printed that out and put it in our DB binder incorrectly appeared as Jessen instead of Jensen. for in-house use. Since the Portland lodge we do apologize and make every effort to be sure that our records are correct. only had 340-odd members, the membership Should others be found, please bring them to our attention by contacting Deb list only ran to 10 pages and didn’t take so Larsen, Development Associate. long to do. Next, there was an inquiry from someone going to Denmark this summer to 11 – continued on page 12 A Week at . . . – continued from page 11 visit their ancestral home who wondered how firm in Atlantic. Then it was back to the has remote access to HQO). After this was much it cost to take the Storebælt Bridge immigrant data. I managed to get 50 or so resolved, I processed several new DB lodges from Zealand to Funen. I checked the In- individuals entered before being called to that had been submitted, and then drove ternet, but couldn’t find the information, so assist volunteers with HeritageQuest and up to the Museum to check for mail, pick sent an inquiry to a Danish librarian friend Internet questions. Late in the afternoon, I up supplies, and run errands. More Danish (who found me the Danish-language website was back at research, this time translating research took up the rest of the afternoon. for the Bridge and sent me the information, the church record data found the previous In the evening I spent about an hour and a when I then passed on to our patron). day, and putting it into the templates I use half at the Cass County Recorders’ office, since we’re not networked yet to the main when making up a research report. That day looking over the naturalization records that building, Deb Larsen emailed me an updated ended with my continuing the research by had just been transferred there from another listing of Museum members to replace my checking several Danish websites. county office. year-old copy, and Jenny dropped by to ex- wednesday morning, I continued working on Friday, the work continued. Wednes- change back-up tapes for the Museum server. on new immigrant files, since I wanted to day afternoon two of my volunteers had spent A bouquet of flowers was also delivered from have work for Lois, my volunteer who was several hours up at the Museum, looking up a grateful patron. That was nice – it really coming in at 1pm. My Wednesday morning Wall of Honor files for which we had no pa- spruced up the reception desk! After getting assistant, Jim, worked on his own project. pers in our file folders. The result was a 4-inch the mail from the post office (two doors up We had a patron come in before we were stack of folders that had to be compared to the street), most of the rest of Monday was officially open. Since many of our visitors our immigrant master list and labeled, which spent doing patron research. In this instance are from out of town or in town only briefly, is how Friday began. For some reason, some it meant spending hours at a microfilm reader I try to stay flexible about accommodating Wall of Honor files have nothing in them, looking at church records in Danish Gothic them. In this case, she only wanted informa- so we are trying to fill in the gaps. We’ve handwriting, making copies of entries that tion to plan a future visit. The day’s mail gotten through the letter ‘K’ and hopefully pertained to the family I was working on. This contained several payments for research and will finish the project before Tivoli Fest in is brain-intensive work that is difficult to do translations, which then had to be entered late May. By this time volunteers Charlotte when we are open, the phone is ringing, and and registered in various places, and the and Esther had arrived, so I spent some so on, so I tend to schedule it for the days reports or translations emailed or sent out. time going over what they would be doing, when we are closed to the public. At 5:30 I Then the building owner called to check on then started printing out FHGC brochures went up the street to the Lutheran Church, the roof leak, resulting in a spate of phone and informational materials that I would be where I spent 3 hours at the annual Volunteer calls. I ordered microfilms from Salt Lake handing out during my “College for Seniors” Recognition Dinner. ‘My’ volunteers put in City, took several more phone calls, and did presentation the following Monday. Since the more than 3000 hours last year; so many of a bit of research for one patron and research library does not have a high-speed copier, them got awards this year. It was nice to see preparation for another. Each of my volun- making 70 copies takes quite a while. The them get recognition for their many hours of teers has his/her own interests and strengths. alternative would be taking the material up loyal work. Since most of them don’t read Danish, or at to the Museum, but the copier there is old Tuesday’s email brought in an offer from least the older Gothic script, I need to tailor and cranky and often goes on strike. a couple of long-distance volunteers to spend tasks according to who is available and what Between trips back and forth between the first week in May volunteering here. they are able to do on a given day. In this my computer — where I was working on Needless to say, I confirmed this offer with case research preparation meant creating Monday’s lecture — and feeding the printers, alacrity, and then wrote a note in my planner a timeline of events in a person’s life as a I took several phone calls, including one from to schedule some time planning what they are basis for looking for various records. This is Denmark that necessitated speaking Danish, going to do. A couple more DB lodges were crucial, since what the volunteers find in the managed to count and record the money I also in my email box, ready for processing. U.S. and online Danish records determines would be giving to Jenny later that afternoon, By then my Tuesday crew, Jim, Jeanette, Mae, whether and what microfilm records will be answered a few query letters, and answered Dolores and Sharon, started arriving (Andy ordered. A fairly quiet afternoon meant that volunteer and patron questions. Then it was comes promptly at 8 and secrets himself in I was able to get more research done. time for our weekly staff meeting up at the the back volunteer room), so I spent some Thursdays we’re not open, so it was Museum. Two hours later, I was back at the time talking about the previous evening, as- another good day for doing research. I had library, where it was official closing time. signing tasks or checking what projects they visits from several Museum colleagues in However, my volunteers were in the middle were intending to work on. By that time the the morning, delivering items or asking for of helping a patron and graciously followed digital photographs from the evening before copies of forms for the Museum reception up with her even though it meant that they had been forwarded to me, so I saved them desk. While backing up the Danish Brother- left a half hour later than usual. The day, but and made copies for the volunteers to see. hood files onto a CD, another task that must not the week, ended with another phone call i had next started working on adding be done independently since I’m not linked from the building owner about the leak, more immigrants to our computerized vertical file to the Museum server, a local resident came handout printing, and checking email. The database and printing labels for their folders, in for some translation assistance and web- week actually ended on Sunday afternoon, when suddenly the ceiling began leaking in page advice. Then I fielded several phone when I finished writing my lecture and two places right over the file cabinets. The calls from The Walnut Genealogical Soci- making handouts for the following day’s preceding evening had been quite stormy, but ety, who were having problems getting into presentation. this was a first! Volunteers quickly placed a HeritageQuest Online from their computers so that was a week in my working life: wastepaper basket under the leaks, while I (as a member of the Museum contributing to typical in some respects and (hopefully) notified the Museum, got instructions, then the FHGC over a certain level, the society atypical in others. Since the tourist season phoned the building owner and a roofing 12 – continued on page 13 Volunteer Appreciation Dinner held The Museum held its annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner on Monday, April 19th, at Elk Horn Lutheran Church. Over 100 volunteers, guests, board members and staff gathered to celebrate volunteer hours donated during 2003. Over this time, 145 volunteers contributed 6,823 hours. Of this total 3,004 hours were given at the Family History and Geneal- ogy Center. Last year the Museum had volunteers from 19 Iowa communities Volunteers honored included, seated (L to R): Charlotte Sorensen, Mae Petersen, Esther Sand Hendersen, Alice Simonsen and Doris Rasmussen. Second Row: Dorothy Turner, and 6 states outside Iowa. JoAnn Thielen, Delores Connelly, Joan Larsen, H. John Jones, Inga Hoifeldt and Ralf gifts and recognition are given Hoifeldt. Third Row: Jeanette Knudsen, Andrew Kissel, Gayle Stuart, Richard Nelson, annually to individuals as they reach Jim Kelgor. Back Row: Paul Hansen, Fern Kissel. milestones of hours volunteered. Those recognized in each category were: 4000 hours: Dick Nelson of Elk Horn; 3000 hours: Jim Kelgor of Atlantic; 2000 Planning a Family Reunion? hours: Mae Petersen of Harlan; 1000 if you’re looking for an interesting rants, and nearby golf courses, there’s hours: Dolores Connelly of Atlantic, place to have a family reunion, why plenty to do and all at small town prices. Inga Hoifeldt and Ralf Hoifeldt of Ur- not consider Elk Horn? Over the past For big city attractions, they’re just an bandale, Andrew Kissel of Elk Horn, years, a number of families have enjoyed hour away in Des Moines and Omaha. and Gayle Stuart of Walnut; 500 hours: spending a couple of days here. With the Let us assist you in planning your fam- Esther Sand Hendersen of Manning, Fern Museum, the Windmill, the AmericInn ily reunion. Contact the Museum at Kissel of Elk Horn, Alice Simonsen of with pool, county and city parks, bed 1.800.759.9192. Elk Horn, and Charlotte Sorensen of and breakfasts, shops, bakery, restau- Exira; 250 hours: H. John Jones of Elk Horn, Jeanette Knudsen of Harlan, and Earl Madsen of Elk Horn; and for 100 A Week at . . . – continued from page 12 hours: Paul Hansen of Elk Horn, Mar- hasn’t really begun, we don’t have a lot of webpage. Since that’s our main ‘face’ to the cella Jensen of Atlantic, Joan Larsen visitors yet. When they do start coming, outside world, it’s an important task, but one of Atlantic, Avaline Marks of Omaha, there will be less time for creating files, do- there just doesn’t seem to be enough time Doris Rasmussen of Harlan, JoAnn ing research and other ‘behind-the-scenes’ for on either my part or the rest of the staff. Thielen of Atlantic, Dorothy “Dusty” tasks. However, since our patron visits are Another task that did not get done was any unpredictable, there always has to be things cataloging of our collection. This time the Turner of Exira, and Sharon Winchell for the volunteers to do, and preparing for problem lies partly with our lack of linkage of Atlantic. this takes time. Trouble-shooting computers, with the Museum computer system, partly In closing, Director John Mark while not my favorite task, has to be done with finances, since we don’t yet have the Nielsen, who served as Master-of-Cer- as well. Some of the computer problems budget to subscribe to the necessary catalog- emonies, thanked all who volunteered, will hopefully be taken care of and some of ing databases. Until our library is cataloged, stating that the Museum could not be my tasks made easier or disappear once the there is a great deal of information that FHGC is hooked up to the Museum computer remains inaccessible to the volunteers and what it is without their help. He added network and server, which is supposed to me, so that is a task that I look forward to that the numbers are impressive to do- happen in Phase II of the upgrade to the squeezing into my future work week. nors around the country and important Museum’s computer system. and now, if you will pardon me, I think in demonstrating the support of local what didn’t get done during my week that I’ll go read one of the interesting books on residents as he solicits contributions. I would have liked to do? For one thing, I our shelves…. didn’t get to work on anything related to our
13 Museum as Jens Dixen’s work was Volunteer around the world,” according to Bert. Jens Dixen was a Danish lay minister spotlight and teacher who moved to the home in 1901. There he taught boys from the area who were known as “shanty” boys, the focus of his teaching on spiritual train- ing. Bert Schou’s father, who had bought the farm directly from Jens Dixen, had attended school there in 1912. Bert ob- tained funding for transportation of the house through the Danish Inner Mission Society. (At the 1910 World Mission Conference in Edinburgh Jens Dixen became interested in Africa and helped start the Sudan Mission in Nigeria.) Bert on a farm near Kenmore, North Johann Walensky a Danish Immigrant and Ron Bro assisted with the move in Dakota, stood a small, dilapidated to Waterloo who helped build many May of 1999. Ron then developed a work homesteader’s shanty that had a story churches during his career. He was 83 plan based on the recommendations of to tell. The spotlight in this issue of the years old when he started to build this Darrell Henning of Vesterheim Museum America Letter is on a dedicated group 6’x 8’ church, finishing it in 1951. It who was the consultant for the restora- known as The Cedar Valley Danes. It was served as a wedding and baptismal site tion project. The restoration took place this organization that, through vision and for people of all denominations. Later, over a period of four years, beginning in hard work, moved the cottage known as his grandson LaVerne Walensky and May of 1999 with a calculated total of the Jens Dixen house to the grounds of LaVerne’s wife, Ann, arranged to have 600 hours of volunteer work including the Museum and, along with the help of it moved to their acreage in Waterloo. travel time. Cedar Valley Danes Svend local volunteers, restored it. Several years later, the family contacted Koch, Dave Bullers, Clair Bruce and who are The Cedar Valley Danes The Danish Immigrant Museum to see Ron Bro completed the work. They and how did this group get started? In if the Museum would be interested in expressed gratitude for the help of Elk the early autumn of 1986, Svend Koch having the chapel on the grounds. That Horn and Kimballton volunteers who was contacted by The Danish Immigrant is when The Cedar Valley Danes became also pitched in and for lodging provided Museum Board member, Dennis Larsen, involved. Repairs were made, the roof by a local B & B. Svend made the com- and asked to set up a meeting for people re-shingled and a trailer was borrowed ment that through the organization they in Cedar Falls and the surrounding area. to move the chapel from Waterloo to the “have met a lot of good people and had The purpose of the meeting was to deter- Museum. Svend, his brother, Carl, Arnie a lot of fun.” After lots of hard work, the mine if there was enough interest to form Jensen, Clair Bullers and Dave Lorenzen Jens Dixen House was open for viewing a support group for the new Museum that took part in this project. by the public at the time of The Danish was to be built in Elk Horn, Iowa. There Then in 1999 they undertook an Immigrant Museum’s 20th anniversary was a good response. At the present time even larger project, the aforementioned celebration. the club has 131 members who meet three Jens Dixen House. On the farm of Bert The Danish Immigrant Museum is times a year and a newsletter, edited by Schou’s father was the tiny cottage that grateful for The Cedar Valley Dane’s Ron Bro that comes out quarterly. Their had survived for over a 100 years. Bert sponsorship and labor that brought two prime “money-maker” is from a festival credits his wife, Adelaide, with the idea important buildings of historical sig- held in the Sturgis Falls, which is a three- to have this homestead shanty moved to nificance to the Museum’s grounds and day affair each July. the Museum where it would be restored. for their continued support. With their one of the first projects that The Cedar It seemed logical to her that it would be booth at various events this dedicated Valley Danes undertook was moving placed on the Museum grounds “where group continues to inform people about the Morning Star chapel from Waterloo, it would add another dimension to the The Danish Immigrant Museum. Iowa. This chapel was built by Charles 14 MEMORIALS WALL OF HONOR January 1, 2004 – April 30, 2004 January 1, 2004 – April 30, 2004 Memorials have been received in loving memory of the following Einar Jensen, Newell, IA - Elise K. Jensen, Newell, IA individuals: Elise K. Jensen, Newell, IA - Elise K. Jensen, Newell, IA; Lowell Otto S. Hoiberg Elna Johansen & Esther Haahr, Newell, IA Clara Johnson Virgil Jensen Lars (Lewis) Juhl & Anne Marie (Mary) Sorensen Juhl, Irwin, Mark Pedersen Remor Mercer IA - Veryl & Arlene Benton, Guthrie Center, IA; Eugene & Betty Kay Lykke Arne B. Jensen Juhl, Irwin, IA; Russell & Marilyn Juhl & family, Mitchellville, Nadjeschda Overgaard Carol J. Gerdes IA; Cara Petersen, Washington, D.C.; Eric & Debbie Petersen, Martha Rasmussen Myrna Anderson Stark Pueblo, CO; Everett & Doreen Petersen, Hampton, IA; Peter Paul T. Hansen Rose J. Eggerss & Shirley Petersen, Canyon, TX; Roger & Pam Petersen, Blair, Elsie Rasmussen McNabb Norman C. Bansen NE; Milo & Betty Sorensen, Guthrie Center, IA. Helen Corbin Lucille M. Refshauge Ane Johanne Marie Zinck Juhl, Irwin IA - Veryl & Arlene Ben- Oda Haahr Edith (Nielsen) Kania ton, Guthrie Center, IA; Eugene & Betty Juhl, Irwin, IA; Rus- Esther Frost Magnussen Gerhardt & Ossa Sandvard sell & Marilyn Juhl & family, Mitchellville, IA; Cara Petersen, Evelyn Frost Dearie Clemsen Washington, D.C; Eric & Debbie Petersen, Pueblo, CO; Everett Ib H. Petersen Ethel Hoegh & Doreen Petersen, Hampton, IA; Peter & Shirley Petersen, Beulah Johnson Helga (Teri) Gregersen Canyon, TX; Roger & Pam Petersen, Blair, NE; Milo & Betty Gary Heuwinkle Lois Mae Duskin Sorensen, Guthrie Center, IA. Joyce Hansen Martha Rasmussen Holtkamp Hans Christian Peterson, Council Bluffs, IA - Robert D. Wilber, Dale Hoegh Jamie Doonan Macedonia, IA; Diana (Wilber) Prigge, Des Moines, IA; Shari Doris Hansen Wayne Petersen (Peterson) Poffenbarger, Council Bluffs, IA; Kim Peterson, Deborah Garrison Marian V. Bjork Council Bluffs, IA; Julie (Peterson) Steenbock, Council Bluffs, IA; Russell Petersen Elmer T. Sornson Gary Peterson, Carson, IA; Carol (Peterson) Johnston, Omaha, Bernice (Andersen) Linden Norma C. DuVall NE; Steve Fox, Carson, IA; Mike Fox, Carson, IA. Business Associates Harold Fog, Madison, NJ – Roland Fog, Belle Mead, NJ CedarCarroll Valley Control Danes, Systems, Cedar Carroll, IA Glendale, CA Paul Østergaard Heilskov, Hampton, IA - Agnes Allinson, Falls, IA Landmands National Bank, Hampton, IA Christiansen Motors, Inc., Audubon & Kimballton, IA Ib (Pete) Erhardt Petersen, Waterloo, IA - Mrs. Evelyn Petersen, Audubon, IA Childs & Hall, P.C., Harlan, Muscatine, IA Dan Trade, Inc., Pasadena, CA IA Peter Nielsen Bodtker and Marie Jakobsen Bodtker, Junction Danfoss A/S, Nordborg, Den- Marge’s Hair Hut, Elk Horn, City, OR - Ellen Fisher, Dunsmuir, CA; Irma Wirth, Woodland, mark IA CA; Glenn Jensen, Esparto, CA; Lyle Jensen, Esparto, CA; Danish American Club of Mil- Marne & Elk Horn Telephone Phyllis Gribskov, Salem, OR; Joy Klobas, Eugene, OR; Willard waukee, WI Co., Elk Horn, IA Bodtker, Albany, OR; David Bodtker, Portland, OR; Gerald Danish American Club of Nebraska District of DBIA, Rasmussen, Junction City, OR. Orange County, CA Lincoln, NE Jens Peter Karl Jensen, Esparto, CA - Irma J. Wirth, Woodland, Danish Brotherhood Lodge Olsen, Muhlbauaer & Co, CA; Ellen J. Fischer, Dunsmuir, CA; Glen T. Jensen, Esparto, #15, Des Moines, IA LLC, Carroll, IA CA; Lyle B. Jensen, Esparto, CA. Danish Brotherhood Lodge Outlook Study Club, Elk Horn, Walter Petersen, Cedar Falls, IA - Emmanuel J. Petersen, Car- #35, Homewood, IL IA michael, CA Danish Brotherhood Lodge Proongily, St. Paul, MN Ole T. Christensen, Buena Park, CA – Barbara and Carlo Chris- #341, Elk Horn, IA Red River Danes, Fargo, ND tensen, Glendale, CA Danish Vennelyst Park, Ringsted Danish American Carl E. N. Jensen, Elk Horn, IA - Marian Anderson Eckmann, Omaha, NE Fellowship, Ringsted, IA Persia, IA Elk Horn Pharmacy, Elk Horn, Stone Printing Company, Car- IA roll, IA Elk Horn-Kimballton Commu- Supreme Lodge of Danish nity School, Sisterhood in America Matching Gifts Elk Horn, IA Symra Literary Society, Deco- January 1, 2004 - April 30, 2004 Elverhoj Museum of History rah, IA The following companies have provided matching gifts to the and Art, Solvang, CA Rebild National Park Society, gifts of their employees, retired employees and member organiza- Hallett Materials, Des Moines, Arizona Chapter, tions: IA Tucson, AZ Hardi Midwest, Inc., Daven- Rebild National Park Soci- Eli Lilly & Co. Foundation IBM port, IA ety, Southern California Duke Energy Field Services, Alliant Energy Foundation Heart of Iowa Danes, Ames, IA Chapter, LP Bank of America Foundation Henningsen Consturction, Inc., Glendale, CA Union Pacific The Coca Cola Company Atlantic, IA Rebild National Park Society, Dominion Foundation Chevron Texaco Kessler Funeral Homes, Inc., Upper Midwest Chapter, Audubon, IA Maple Plain, MN Woodmen of the World/As- Pfizer Foundation KJAN, Atlantic, IA Travel by Scott, Canoga Park, sured Life Thrivent Financial for Luther- KNOD, Harlan, IA CA General Mills Foundation ans Knudsen Old Timers of The Danish Lutheran Church, 15 The Danish Immigrant Museum Non-Profit Box 470 U.S. Postage PAID Elk Horn, Iowa 51531 Permit No. 13
(712) 764-7001 Elk Horn, IA 51531
useum. M the of supporter long-time a and Denmark of
Glenview, Illinois. Glenview, many guests was Christian Castenskiold, a second cousin to Queen Margrethe II II Margrethe Queen to cousin second a Castenskiold, Christian was guests many
orgaard Charitable Trust, Trust, Charitable orgaard N Joan proceeds of their æbleskiver sales at their annual summer street fair. fair. street summer annual their at sales æbleskiver their of proceeds mong the the mong A
ric and and ric E material; storage ditional range County presented the Museum with a check from the the from check a with Museum the presented County range O of Club merican A
and ad- and Folk Costumes in America in Costumes Folk
provided musical entertainment and accompanied the group singing. The Danish Danish The singing. group the accompanied and entertainment musical provided
• A Celebration of Heritage: Danish Danish Heritage: of Celebration A
Society of Southern California served as master of ceremonies, and Jonathan Jonathan and ceremonies, of master as served California Southern of Society eal eal N
gia
the Museum’s past, present and future. Carlo Christensen, President of the the of President Christensen, Carlo future. and present past, Museum’s the ebild ebild R
- Geor tlanta, A ndersen, A J. Dennis
ielsen presented a program on on program a presented ielsen N Mark John and Museum, the support could als
uthor, Peter H. Fogtdal; Fogtdal; H. Peter uthor, A Danish
- individu ways various the described ssociate, A Development arsen, L Deb event.
David Simpich Marionette’s and and Marionette’s Simpich David •
utheran Church of Yorba Yorba of Church utheran L Danish The and inda sponsored the highly successful successful highly the sponsored inda L tlantic, Iowa tlantic, A Hansen, ouie L
ational Park Society’s Southern California Chapter, Chapter, California Southern Society’s Park ational N ebild R The County, range O lsie and and lsie E of state E system; tion
nudsen Cultural Center. The Viking Club of of Club Viking The Center. Cultural nudsen K The at California inda, L Yorba in Purchase and installation of irriga of installation and Purchase • -
tlantic, Iowa tlantic, A Molgaard, , 2004, 2004, , useum at a luncheon held on February 7 February on held luncheon a at useum M mmigrant I Danish The of work
th
aren aren K and John system; water
board meeting, over 140 guests celebrated the the celebrated guests 140 over meeting, board 66 Museum’s the of part a s a
th
Purchase and installation of soft soft of installation and Purchase • Board meeting held in Yorba Linda well attended well Linda Yorba in held meeting Board
diana
- In City, Michigan yby, N Folmer
server, and software; Vera and and Vera software; and server,
Upgrade of the computer network, network, computer the of Upgrade •
to accomplish specific projects. projects. specific accomplish to
the past months that have allowed us us allowed have that months past the
from the following individuals over over individuals following the from
gratefully acknowledges major gifts gifts major acknowledges gratefully
useum useum M mmigrant I Danish The
Special Projects Special Special Gifts for for Gifts Special