americaletter

WINTER 2019 | A BENEFIT OF MEMBERSHIP IN THE MUSEUM OF DANISH AMERICA CONTENTS 09 Identity & Art 07 Danish Sisterhood 22 Powerful Portraiture 26 Ancestral Odds & Ends

04 Directors Corner 18 Collection 28 New Members Connection & Old Friends

05 Board Meeting 20 Calendars 34 Christmas Revue Treats

ON THE COVER America Letter Guldborg Kirk, artist’s wife (1881 – 1949) Winter 2019, No. 3 Svend Kirk Published three times annually by the Museum of Danish America Denmark, 1950 2212 Washington Street, Elk Horn, Iowa 51531 Gift of Rick Sorensen, 2010.012.004 712.764.7001 | www.danishmuseum.org 2 MUSEUM OF DANISH AMERICA staff & interns

Interim Director & Building & Grounds Genealogy Assistant Albert Ravenholt Manager Wanda Sornson, M.S. Curator of Danish- Tim Fredericksen E: wanda.sornson American Culture E: tim.fredericksen Tova Brandt, M.A. Executive Director E: tova.brandt Curator of Collections Emeritus & Registrar John Mark Nielsen, Ph.D. Administrative Manager Angela Stanford, M.A. Terri Johnson E: angela.stanford WEEKEND STAFF E: terri.johnson Rochelle Bruns Archival Collections Jan Greving Development Manager Manager Beth Rasmussen Deb Christensen Larsen Cheyenne Jansdatter, Rodger Rasmussen E: deb.larsen M.L.I.S. E: cjansdatter Intern Communications Hannah Bernhard Specialist, America Design Store Manager Letter Editor Nan Dreher Nicky Christensen E: nan.dreher E: nicky.christensen Administrative Assistant To contact staff, use Accounting Manager Terri Amaral the prefix shown after E:, Jennifer Winters E: terri.amaral followed by E: jennifer.winters @danishmuseum.org

WHY “AMERICA LETTER?” Letters that were written by immigrants to family and friends back in Denmark are called “America letters” by historians. These letters are often given credit for influencing people to come to America because they were full of details of how good life was here. We call our magazine America Letter because we also want to tell the good news about the museum and encourage people to join us! AMERICA LETTER 3 director’s corner

This edition of the America Letter institution does. Instead, an Along with updated statements explores different aspects of how institution like a museum presents of vision and values, this mission we present ourselves to others. itself to others through its mission better describes the scope statement. For many years of what we do. It emphasizes Most obviously, a formal portrait the mission statement of this the present as well as the past is a carefully planned visual institution has been “The Museum and places Danish-American representation of a person. In the of Danish America celebrates experience in the context of the new exhibition Kings, Queens, Danish roots and American diversity of America. and Commoners, we see many dreams.” examples of how a subject and Defining and affirming our artist collaborate on presenting This statement has been mission, vision, and values is the physical characteristics admirable for its poetry, for its especially important for the of the subject as well as their balance of Denmark and the museum at this time. We are in personality and experience. In the United States, and for its concise the midst of developing a new best portraits, we get a sense of (easy to remember!) nature. But Strategic Plan, a process started who that person was and what it didn’t provide much detail in 2018 and due for completion was important to them. In other about how, why, or for whom the in 2020. With an updated mission examples we see people at a museum would fulfill this mission. in place, the board can use it as milestone in their lives – think of a tool to align all of the tangible a wedding portrait, which is an The board of directors has goals of the next Strategic Plan. important document of that event, just approved a new Mission if not a representation of what the Statement: We will continue to “celebrate couple’s daily lives were like. Danish roots and American dreams.” In fact, if someone asks “The Museum of Danish For the artists working in Skagen, you what this museum is about, Denmark around the turn of the America explores the you can still quote that phrase! 20th century, representing daily life Danish-American But as we look to a new year, we was a way to present the national have renewed senses of shared Danish character. They aimed to experience, the historic purpose and pride in the work that illustrate fundamental values by and modern influences of we do for Danish America. interpreting the landscape and Denmark on the United community with their brushes and canvases. By focusing on States, and the continuing working-class subjects, they story of how a nation of celebrated the Danish “folk” instead of the urban elites. immigrants shape American identity.” For an institution, a photograph of its building or its staff doesn’t really represent what that

By Tova Brandt

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board of directors We welcomed new board members: Dennis Gray (Winston- Salem, NC), Dan Jensen OCTOBER 3-5, 2019 (Columbus, OH), Elly Jorgensen meeting ELK HORN, IA (Prairie Village, KS), Chris Kofoed (West Branch, IA), and Mike Nielsen (Altoona, IA). Merlyn Knudsen, a resident of Elk Horn, was elected to his first three-year term after filling an unexpired The Museum of Danish America’s convention attendees gathered term. annual fall meeting was moved for dinner together at the C.G. up a fortnight from its usual Therkildsen Center in Harlan. The We said thank you and farewell date to the first week of October evening’s program was about the to Bente Ellis (San Jose, CA), to coincide with the National importance of the Sisterhood’s Carolyn Larson (St. Paul, MN), Convention of the Danish archival donation, which will be and Craig Molgaard (Little Rock, Sisterhood of America (DSS), held catalogued into the museum’s AR) whose terms ended at this in Omaha this year. database by Archival Collections meeting. Manager Cheyenne Jansdatter. We hosted 109 Sisters for behind- Cheyenne’s two-year position New officers elected at the annual the-scenes tours of the artifact is funded in part by a Historical meeting were: Beth Bro Roof, storage vaults and the special Resource Development Program President (Cedar Rapids, IA); Pete collection that was donated by grant from the State of Iowa. This West, Vice President (Denver, CO); the DSS in 2016. Later that same is a matching grant, and we are Karen Suchomel, Treasurer (West evening museum staff, board currently seeking donations to Branch, IA); and Toni McLeod, members, spouses, guests, and complete the funding. Secretary (Mesa, AZ).

01. På dansk From left: Bente Ellis, Annette Andersen, Connie Hanson, By Terri Johnson Peder Hansen and Jenny Mackenzie sing the Danish National Anthem. Photo: David Hendee

AMERICA LETTER 5 01

EXECUTIVE MEMBERS President Beth Bro-Roof, Cedar Rapids, IA Vice President Pete West, Denver, CO Secretary Toni McLeod, Mesa, AZ Treasurer Karen Suchomel, West Branch, IA 02

BOARD MEMBERS Anders Sand, Kansas City, MO Carl Steffensen, Houston, TX Carol Bassoni, Gilroy, CA Carol Svendsen, Denver, CO Chris Kofoed, West Branch, IA Connie Hanson, Glendora, CA Dan Jensen, Columbus, OH David Esbeck, San Diego, CA David Hendee, Northfield, MN Dennis Gray, Winston-Salem, NC Elly Jorgensen, Prairie Village, KS Eric Olesen, Racine, WI Gerry Henningsen, Monument, CO 03 Glenn Henriksen, Armstrong, IA Karen Nielsen, Overland Park, KS Lars Matthiesen, Edmonds, WA Marnie Jensen, Nebraska City, NE Merlyn Knudsen, Elk Horn, IA Mike Nielsen, Altoona, IA Peder Hansen, Omaha, NE Randy Ruggaard, Hudson, OH

EX-OFFICIO Dennis Larson, Decorah, IA John Mark Nielsen, Blair, NE Kai Nyby, LaPorte, IN Nils Jensen, Portland, OR

01. DSS 02. Lunch 03. Desserts President’s pin worn Elk Horn’s new Provided by by Sindy Mikkelsen restaurant, The O&H Danish at a banquet as part Danish Table, was Bakery, Racine, WI. of the organization’s the site of a meal Photos by 6 MUSEUM OF DANISH AMERICA national convention. between meetings. David Hendee a story of sisterhood THE DANISH SISTERHOOD OF AMERICA

Among the many Danes who and their families in the case of immigrated to America in the death or illness. mid-to-late 1800s were Christine Hemmingsen and her family. The first meeting of theDansk Christine was born January 30, Søstersamfunds – now known as 1840 in Orup, Denmark. In 1873 the Danish Sisterhood of America Christine, her husband Niels, – took place in the Hemmingsen and three of their children left for home on December 15, 1883. As America. The family first arrived a member of the Brotherhood, in New York before continuing to Niels had the power to charter the Negaunee, MI, a mining town near organization and install members. Lake Superior. Christine and ten other women became the first official members, Adjusting to a new country and 20 men joined as “social” and culture was difficult. Many members. Niels would become different ethnic communities the Sisterhood’s first National formed organizations or societies Supreme President. to aid members in navigating the challenges of immigration One year after its founding, while keeping traditions alive. Christine died in childbirth at age For Danes there was the Danish 44. Her husband was the first to Brotherhood, or Det Danske receive a funeral benefit from the Brodersamfund. It was a national Danish Sisterhood, for a sum of fraternal insurance association $9.25. formed in Omaha, NE for Danish immigrant males. The Negaunee The Danish Sisterhood of lodge was one of the first six America’s Supreme Lodge was chartered on July 1, 1882. Many officially chartered under Illinois men, including Niels, were law on May 15, 1891. In their members. declaration, Sisterhood members wrote that the organization’s Soon after the Brotherhood was objective was “to promote social formed, one of the Hemmingsens’ intercourse among its members family friends died, leaving behind and mutual enjoyment also to a husband and two children. This comfort and nurse each other in tragic event inspired Christine to sickness and disability and furnish form a “funeral and sick benefit” deceased members a decent and organization to collectively and respectable burial.” financially support Danish women

By Hannah Bernhard

AMERICA LETTER 7 In the years that followed, the the Museum of Danish America’s organization grew dramatically. Sisterhood exhibit. Some pointed Twenty-five years after its out a block they helped make 1883 founding, there were 149 for the quilt celebrating the 25th lodges with 7,300 members. National Convention in 2011, and In 1933, during its semi- others recognized familiar names centennial, there were 162 and faces among the artifacts and lodges and 8,000 members. For pictures. its 100th anniversary, President Ronald Reagan wrote a letter The Danish Sisterhood of America congratulating the sisters, saying, originally began as a way to “Your efforts to assist your fellow support fellow Danes in a new members when in need and to country, both financially and preserve the Danish culture reflect socially. Today it has evolved the best in the American spirit.” into an organization based on common interests in learning Today the Sisterhood remains about Denmark and Danish the largest national organization heritage through meetings, of Danish women, and Queen workshops, trips, and more. Its Margrethe II is an honorary mission to support its members member. There are more than 40 and their families also continues Hannah is a Collections Assistant lodges active in 16 states and through a disaster relief fund, who worked on the present parts of Canada, as well as a scholarships, and grants. Sisterhood exhibit at the museum. virtual online lodge. Many visited Although the organization has Her internship was made possible the Danish Villages as part of their transformed through the years, 2019 Omaha National Convention it still carries the character of by the Danish Club of Tucson. experience. Members of lodges Christine Hemmingsen and its first from east to west coast checked members – the spirit of Danish Check-in with MoDA’s interns at into the “Find Your Lodge” book in sisterhood. danishmuseuminterns.tumblr.com

National Convention Supreme Officers & Delegates attending 1922’s convention in Chicago. 8 MUSEUM OF DANISH AMERICA HOW HOLGER DRACHMANN, THE PAINTER, HELPED TURN A SMALL FISHING VILLAGE INTO AN EMBLEM OF DANISH NATIONAL IDENTITY. crafting a danish identity at skagen

During the later half of the The work from the Skagen 19th century, Danish artists artists’ colony demonstrates this were developing a distinct new focus on uniquely Danish national art that was separate subjects. The small fishing from the stylistic traditions of village on the northern coast of western Europe. In doing so Jutland was a haven for artists they were in search of subjects who sought a simplistic lifestyle. of an unmistakable national Skagen, at the time, was intensely character, and by extension, isolated and attracted artists with a visual representation of the promise of fresh inspiration “Danishness.” Born of this desire in an uncharted landscape. to identify and capture a collective For the artists there, themes of national identity, a return-to-folk rustic simplicity, the pastoral and movement came into effect at the unspoiled nature were charged end of the 1870s as Danish artists with moralistic interpretations left the cosmopolitan centers of that were reflected in their work. Europe to return home and focus This article will focus on the ways on the defining geographical and that the artistic endeavors of the cultural characteristics of the Skagen painters contributed to North. Their artwork contributed the creation of a core sense of to the formation of a core national national identity through their use identity by means of images of folk-primitivist imagery and relating to the Danish landscape themes. and the rustic folk peasant.

By Olivia Woodruff Curation Intern, Skagens Museum

AMERICA LETTER 9 01

RUSTIC HEROISM Drachmann was a marine painter Drachmann was at the forefront of AT SKAGEN who explored the sea motif as making Skagen into the emblem both an expression of his inner of Danish national identity at the Poet, author, and painter Holger self (as he drew parallels between time. His painting Skagen Beach Drachmann (1846 – 1908) was the turbulence and uncertainty of with Old Shipwreck (1878) depicts among the many artists who the sea and his life as an artist), the vast beaches and glowing came to Skagen in search of a and as a more generalized icon summer light that is characteristic new and unique subject. Although of Danish collective identity at the of the region, captured in many Drachmann is best known in time. His sea motifs represent a iterations in the Skagen painters’ Denmark as a writer, the thematic compelling symbol of tradition, works. Drachmann’s painting content and subject of his regionalism, and a nostalgic “old demonstrates an idyllic image paintings provide valuable insight way” of travel and labor that may of nature at Skagen that is in into the goals of the artists’ colony not be so overt. His interest in contrast with a number of his as a whole. the rustic and primitive lifestyles other works; his seascapes often of the locals and the seemingly feature violent waters crashing untouched natural landscape were together or waves washing up to shared by the other artists and shipwrecks on the shore such as proved to be deeply embedded in The Reef of Skagen (1902). In within the ethos of the colony as these paintings, Drachmann uses a whole. the image of the sea as a way to implicitly talk about the heroic lives of the men who make their living at sea. His seascapes can

01. Skagen Beach with Old Shipwreck Holger Drachmann, oil on canvas, 1878, Skagens Museum.

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be viewed as symbols of their and seamlessly integrates them rugged labor as the roughness through the use of a uniformed of the waves, the violence, and color palette and the glaze of danger all point to a kind of light over the entire scene. Krøyer mythologizing of the local sailor. and Ancher’s fishermen paintings suggest an interesting moralizing Fellow Skagen artists Michael ethos: by highlighting the men’s Ancher (1849 – 1927) and P.S. unified labor, dignity, strength, Krøyer (1851 – 1909) were also and skill, they position the men concerned with detailing the lives as courageous heroes. Although of the local seamen – although Drachmann’s seascapes do not in more overt ways. In their use the fisherman or sailor motif paintings, Ancher and Krøyer as explicitly, there is still a strong position the native fishermen as sense of his engagement with the ultimate emblem of heroic this idea of the heroic seaman. labor. In Krøyer’s Fishermen Through both his paintings and Hauling a Seine Net at Skagen written works, we know he had a Nordstrand. Late Afternoon fascination with the unglamorous- (1883), the men are depicted as yet-noble life of the sailor. hearty, down-to-earth workers. Perhaps Drachmann saw their He suggests a deeply physical lives as an escape from the frills, bond between the fishermen’s celebrity, and excess of his own bodies and the vast landscape life.

02. The Reef of Skagen Holger Drachmann, oil on canvas, 1902, Skagens Museum.

AMERICA LETTER 11 03

A MOVE TOWARDS the other, he expresses a longing the opportunity to explore what SIMPLICITY for simplicity and balance in his it meant to live in an isolated life. He himself was the one to community among locals who By the 1870s, Holger Drachmann equate the flux and naturalness were seemingly “untouched” by had become somewhat of a of the sea to his own identity and the forces of industrialization and household name. He was a inner desires –– a statement that Europeanization. The remoteness larger-than-life figure, the life of seems to reject the grandeur of and primitiveness of Skagen any party, and a man who often Drachmann as a mythic figure. made it possible to equate the found himself on the front pages Skagen offered a beacon of lifestyle of the locals as something of newspapers and celebrity simplicity and remoteness that he utterly Danish at the time. The gossip columns. The public was looking for. region’s removal from outside interest surrounding Drachmann’s influence gave a sense of a professional and personal life is Moving to Skagen was a way pristine or “authentic” Danish well documented. However, it to escape the demands and identity that was captured in the seems clear that Drachmann had pressures of life in the cities. This Skagen painter’s works to various mixed feelings about his fame. was true not just for Drachmann, degrees. On the one hand, scholars argue but for almost all of the Skagen that he used the stories, gossip, artists. The plainness of life was and public frenzy as a way to appealing not only because it self-mythologize and establish the allowed them to completely “Drachmann brand” for himself immerse themselves in the to ensure social relevance. Yet on artistic lifestyle and focus on painting, but it also gave them

03. Fishermen Hauling a Seine Net at Skagen Nordstrand. Late Afternoon P.S. Krøyer, oil on canvas, 1883, Skagens Museum. 12 MUSEUM OF DANISH AMERICA 04

It should be noted that this In Anna Ancher’s (1859 –1935) Drachmann, although not focused desire to equate folk primitivism painting A Field Sermon (1903), on ethnographic painting, was still with national identity was by no she captures the details of an engaged with the larger issue of means unique to Denmark; similar unsophisticated religious meeting defining Danish national identity return-to-folk movements were set in a field and led by a lay in the wake of globalization. happening all across Europe at preacher. Ancher is looking at Certainly his seascapes the time. For example, French the provisional gathering as a demonstrate his interest in the post-Impressionist Paul Gauguin’s testament to the rustic character simplicity and the nostalgia of (1848 – 1903) interest in the of the Skagen natives and sailing as an appeal to a uniquely rustic natives of Brittany and their devotion to tradition. The Danish tradition. In his dissertation the Abramtsevo peasant-craft depiction of the locals’ lives as he argued that the marine workshop in Russia demonstrate pared-down is underscored in painting genre in Denmark held an this phenomenon. In terms of many of the Skagen painters’ elevated status because Danish aligning national identity with folk works. This kind of ethnographic- artists were not only painters, but peasantry, nothing could be more realism happening at Skagen sailors themselves. Drachmann European. And indeed the Skagen became a hallmark of what was is clearly equating the seaman painters were completely tuned considered a pure Danish identity lifestyle –– and by extension, a life into this international artistic and tradition at the time. of simplicity and primitiveness –– trend. to a collective national identity.

03. Fishermen Hauling a Seine Net at Skagen Nordstrand. 04. A Field Sermon Late Afternoon Anna Ancher, oil on canvas, 1903, Skagens Museum.

AMERICA LETTER 13 “Hygge is humble and slow. It is choosing rustic over new, simple over posh, and ambience over excitement.”

- Meik Wiking, The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living, 2016

Today’s alignnment of the word hygge to a national way of being reflects the concepts Skagen painters projected a century earlier.

Drachmann was, perhaps, the Skagen, in particular, became the most internationally oriented artist epicenter of this phenomenon. at the colony, having traveled The work of the Skagen artists with his father in his youth and clearly demonstrates an interest taken trips all around Europe and in nostalgia and a romanticization later, North America. He certainly of the lifestyles soon to be lost would have been aware of the to industrialization. Drachmann’s growing interest in folk-primitivism ship paintings appeal to a happening across Europe and sentimental time when highly keen on incorporating these skilled sailors maneuvered the themes into his work. seas through traditional systems and mechanics. The paintings NOSTALGIA AND position sailing as a deeply MODERNITY, AN rooted tradition, and one that UNLIKELY PAIR would slowly become obsolete in the wake of expanding railroad In Denmark the growing interest in systems and more technologically what were considered traditions advanced ships. of a bygone era and the revivalist mentality towards primitive However, the Skagen artists’ lifestyles marked a shift in the use of nostalgia in their thematic nation’s relationship with the past. content and subjects by no means

14 MUSEUM OF DANISH AMERICA marked the colony as backward- including Drachmann, nostalgia thinking or unprogressive. They, became a way of thinking about in fact, demonstrated some of the the past as a potential for how most cutting-edge and modern one should live. Thus they approaches to painting from the “went native” and chose radical time. By combining nostalgia simplicity over excess as the ideal with modern ideas such as model for modern life. Moreover, universalism through simplicity, nostalgia was woven into the and reaction to industrialization, ethos of the many modern artistic the Skagen painters demonstrated movements from the time; for that any rigid boundaries between example, the Arts and Crafts modernity and nostalgia were movement in England and later, unstable. the Art Nouveau movement in Belgium and France, were rooted At Skagen, nostalgia was a in a deep sense of nostalgia that cornerstone of their sense of became productive in establishing modernity. For many of the artists, a radically modern style.

THE SKAGEN COLONY

05 Each summer from the late 1870s until the turn of the century – a time when large numbers of Danes were immigrating to America, a group of Scandinavian artists (mainly painters) descended on Skagen, a fishing community in the northernmost tip of Denmark.

Without any requirements to adhere to a common approach, the group embraced painting en plein air and depicting scenes of the local fishing culture and their own social gatherings. They gathered regularly at the Brøndums Hotel, which is now home to the Skagens Museum – founded in 1908 when the traditional gatherings of the group were coming to an end.

05. Holger Drachmann P.S. Krøyer, oil on canvas, 1895, Skagens Museum.

AMERICA LETTER 15 I Am Sea: Holger Drachmann with Pen and Brush Through May 24, 2020 at the Skagens Museum https://skagenskunstmuseer.dk/en/

Drachmann, in particular, was and tradition as a rejection of emblematic of this strange everything they felt was wrong marriage of modernity and with modern, urbanized society. nostalgia. He crafted a persona For many of them, the simplicity of a radically modern urban and primitiveness of the locals bohemian, yet his paintings became the hallmark of Danish are fundamentally tied to a identity. sentimental yearning for past simplicity. This tension between the two proved to be completely cued into the trends happening Olivia Woodruff worked as an across Europe. The ideas being intern at the Skagens Museum for discussed and worked through at the exhibition “I Am Sea: Holger the colony were no different. Drachmann with Pen and Brush.”

More than anything else, the Skagen artists’ colony represented a generation’s aspiration for nostalgic simplicity through a strong connection with the landscape and a focus on simple and traditional ways of living. Drachmann fully embraced these themes and made use of them in subtle ways through his seascapes. At Skagen the artists viewed their revival of a spiritualistic contact with nature

16 MUSEUM OF DANISH AMERICA we laughed when days were merry

By Holger Drachmann. Translated by Mark Stone. From The Complete Delius Songbook, p. 11. Mark Stone & Steven Barlow, Boosey & Hawkes, 2011. “The original Danish text was taken from Drachmann’s 1879 collection Ungdom i digt og sang, setting the first two verses of three.”

We laughed when days were merry Vi lo jo før saa længe And spun joy’s thread for years, Og spandt paa glædens traad, Now we can shoulder bravely Nu kan vi sagtens trænge A sprinkling of tears; En smule til graad; When bitter tears have ended, Naar graaden saa er standset, We’ll venture out to where Saa gaar vi ud og ser Our hearts in dance were blended; Paa stedet, hvor vi dansed; No dancing now is there. Dér danser vi ej mer.

In silence there we settle Dér sætter vi os stille On benches in the shade I skyggen paa en bænk, Where golden sunrays revel Hvor solens straaler spille With rafters in play. Med tavlede stænk. To sit there in the darkness At sidde selv i skyggen Yet see the sunlight soar, Og se, hvor solen lér, Rejoicing in the gladness At glæde os ved lykken, Of old. We ask no more! Som var. Hvad vil vi mer?

AMERICA LETTER 17 collection connection

This year marked the 800th anniversary of Dannebrog, the Danish flag. A current exhibition at the museum celebrates the occasion.

Within the museum’s collection are many examples of the Danish flag being used. Commemorative plates, housewares like vases and doilies, pins and other jewelry, and of course as the basis for Danish Brotherhood in America membership ribbons. There are also numerous photos that show the flag displayed during events like club gatherings or parades The Danish American Athletic Club and on churches, schools, and of Chicago made this felt banner businesses. Featured here are to use in parades, exhibits, and some of the more unexpected demonstrations during the 1960s uses found amongst the and 1970s. Gift of Carl Steffensen, museum’s artifacts. 2019.002.001

This Danish soldier is one of 277 figures from the collection of Leslie Kingsbury Marzolf. He purchased them at Thorngren’s Toy Shop on Strøget (one of Europe’s longest pedestrian shopping streets) in Copenhagen between 1961 and 1962, and they were displayed in his den in Ann Arbor, MI until his widow donated them. Gift of Marion Marzolf, 2017.011.017

By Angela Stanford

18 MUSEUM OF DANISH AMERICA Rebild National Park in Denmark is featured on the front of this wooden “Hilsen fra Randers” appears matchbox cover. on a porcelain egg cup below a The Danish Danish flag. While little is known flag flies next about this piece, it was clearly to its U.S. a souvenir from this community counterpart in Denmark. Gift of Olga Olsen, beside the cabin. 1988.001.152 Gift of Asta Forrest, 1995.047.060

The flag can also be used as a garment, as evidenced in this image of Ingeborg Andersen of Omaha, NE in 1908. The top of the bodice area and the hem of the skirt are decorated with a garland-like trimming. Gift of Ken and Margaret Wandel, 1990.069.012

Measuring about 2 ¼” square, this pincushion has connections to Ringsted, IA around 1911. It is part of a pair; its match being a U.S. flag.Gift of Ellen Schmidt, 1986.148.014b

AMERICA LETTER 19 exhibition calendar

Major support for New 01 Nordic Cuisine comes from the American-Scandinavian Foundation, Erik and Eva Andersen, and the Estate of Erik Sorensen. National tour 02 sponsored by Cynthia Larsen Adams & Gary M. Adams, SUBSCRIBE Embassy of Denmark in Washington, DC, O&H Danish & WATCH Bakery, The Danish Pioneer fresh content Newspaper, Humanities Iowa, https://www.youtube.com/ Nordic Council of Ministers, Iowa nordiccuisine Department of Cultural Affairs, Anna Thomsen Holliday & Hal Holliday, and the Honorable Lynette Skow Rasmussen & Kurt Rasmussen.

The exhibit’s debut in Elk DANNEBROG AT 800 02. NEW NORDIC CUISINE Horn was made possible by Multimedia Room Kramme Gallery David & Polly Hendee, David Through January 2020 Through January 5, 2020 & Helen Esbeck, Hutchinson and Bloodgood LLP, Lowell & Sponsored by the Scandinavian Marilyn Kramme, Mark & Lori Society of Cincinnati In 2020, New Nordic Cuisine will Nussle, along with the following be at the following venues: Supporters: Siggi’s Dairy, Iowa 01. KINGS, QUEENS, American Swedish Tourism, Midwest Groundcovers AND COMMONERS: Historical Museum LLC, Sagaform, Marnie Jensen & PORTRAITS FROM Philadephia, PA Kenny Bogus, Carol Svendsen & THE PERMANENT January 25 - August 23, 2020 Jay Mead, Nils & Kathleen Jensen, COLLECTION Carl & Frances Steffensen, Anders Norway House Main Floor Gallery Sand, Beth Bro-Roof & John Minneapolis, MN Through May 31, 2020 Roof, Bruce Bro, Craig Molgaard September 11 - & Amanda Golbeck, Danish Sponsored by the Danish November 8, 2020 Brotherhood Lodge #15, Dennis Sisterhood Lodge #15, Andersen, John Rasmussen, Milwaukee, WI Lyle & Dorothy Stadsvold Feisel, Randall & Margaret Ruggaard, Rasmus & Jennifer Thøgersen, and Susan B. Vitek, DDS.

Coming June 2020 - January 2021: ART NOUVEAU INNOVATION: DANISH PORCELAIN FROM AN AMERICAN COLLECTOR 20 MUSEUM OF DANISH AMERICA Main Floor Gallery events calendar

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JULEFEST HOLIDAY CULTURAL CHRISTMAS EVE & November 29-30 FESTIVAL AT THE CHRISTMAS DAY Elk Horn and Kimballton DURHAM MUSEUM The museum will close at noon on December 6, 4-9 pm Christmas Eve and remain closed In memory of Edith E. Larsen Omaha, Nebraska through Christmas Day (1920-2019), lifetime resident of Elk Horn and tireless volunteer HYGGE HOLIDAY: NEW YEAR’S EVE & NEW at the museum and Bedstemors MUSEUM OPEN HOUSE YEAR’S DAY House, admission to MoDA’s three December 12, 2-7 pm The museum will close at noon on locations during Julefest is at no Free admission, refreshments, New Year’s Eve and remain closed charge. holiday shopping, family-friendly through New Year’s Day activities, and music. “We honor her extraordinary life as a wife, mother, educator, world Guest speaker Kathy Wilson traveler, and most of all, friend.” presents “The Man Who Invented - The family of Dr. Jerold P. and Christmas” at 2 pm, exploring the Marilyn Jorgensen role that Charles Dickens and his Christmas Carol have played in defining holiday celebrations.

AMERICA LETTER 21 kings, queens, and commoners PORTRAITS FROM THE PERMANENT COLLECTION

On view September 21, 2019 – May 31, 2020

Exhibition sponsored by Danish Sisterhood Lodge #15, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Portraiture is one of art’s oldest genres. In the days before photography, portraits were available only to the most elite members of society: kings, queens, and aristocrats. Subjects and artists put a lot of thought into composition, clothing, objects, staging, and symbolism.

Today we are more accustomed to informal snapshots. But the power of a good portrait can still convey an individual’s personality and tell us something about a life.

Here we share some of the images currently exhibited in the Main Floor Gallery. Detail of Queen Louise (1724-1751) Artist unknown Denmark, circa 1750

Queen Louise was born into the British royal family; her father would later reign as George III. She married Frederik V in 1743. Her son would later rule Denmark as Christian VII. Gift of the estate of Bjorn Anker Jensen, 2014.050.001

22 MUSEUM OF DANISH AMERICA Detail of King Christian IX (1818-1906, ruled 1863-1906) August Schiøtt Denmark, 1868 Gift of Christian Castenskiold, 2017.049.001

Full view on page 20.

ART CONSERVATION

So just what do we mean when we say the painting was ‘conserved?’ Conservation is the process of stabilizing and preserving an object or artwork by letting the maker’s intentions inform the work that needs to be done, whether it be cleaning or repairs.

For example, paintings often have a layer of old varnish that covers the paint itself. Over time, that varnish yellows and also accumulates pollutants from the air, which affect the intensity and even the color of the paint. Removing that varnish layer, as was done with King Frederik VIII, brightens the work and restores the artist’s original colors, allowing the viewer to King Frederik VIII (1843-1912, ruled 1906-1912) enjoy the artwork as it was Otto Bache intended. King Frederik’s canvas Denmark, 1909 was also slightly loose, causing a Gift of Christian Castenskiold, 2017.049.002 wavy surface in some areas. This was addressed through minor This portrait was recently cleaned and conserved repairs and tightening. These thanks to support from Lowell and Marilyn Kramme. efforts make the painting stable and safe to exhibit.

The museum relies on generous support from members to assist with the costs of conservation. If you are interested in preserving the museum’s collections, please contact Angela Stanford, Registrar and Curator of Collections. AMERICA LETTER 23 Gift of the Danish Brotherhood in America, 1994.203.542 Gift of Leroy & Joan Kiertzner, 2004.051.010 Gift from the estate of Heleen Nielsen, 2013.010.001

Clockwise, from top left: Detail of Queen Margrethe II (born 1940, reign 1972 – present), Birgit Jacobsen, United States, 1976. Valborg Kiertzner, artist’s wife, Otto Kiertzner, Ida Grove, Iowa, 1925, retouched in 1942. Detail of Hilmar 24 MUSEUM OF DANISH AMERICA Nielsen (1887-1966), Phyllis Simonsen, Iowa, 1968-1972. Gift of Mabel Mathisen, 1994.068.002 Gift of the estate Ruth Adeler Lassen Schreiber, 2004.058.086 Gift of Victor Borge, 1994.293.002 Gift of Peder Larsen, 2000.265.005

This page, clockwise from top left: Detail ofArtist’s grandmother, C. H. Harcke, 1927. Unidentified young boy, Artist unknown. Detail of Dr. Max Henius (1859 – 1935), Artist unknown, Early 20th century. Victor Borge, Birgit Jacobsen, United States, 1993. AMERICA LETTER 25 finding humor in genealogy TOP TEN REASONS FARM TRUCKS ARE NEVER STOLEN

10. They have a range of about 20 miles before they overheat, break down or run out of gas.

At the Genealogy Center we 9. Only the owner knows how to often have people researching operate the door to get in or out. their ancestors who are holding a picture in their minds of what 8. It is difficult to drive fast with they are hoping to find. We do all the fence tools, grease rags, forewarn patrons that they may ropes, chains, syringes, buckets, be confronted with information boots and loose papers in the that may not fit that image. cab.

In the October 2019 issue of 7. It takes too long to start and “Antique City Roots” there the smoke coming up through the was a rather humorous article rusted-out floorboard clouds your which speaks to this problem of vision. “perfect ancestors.” This article 6. The Jack Russell terrier on the was written by Gayle Stuart, the toolbox looks mean. president of the Walnut Genealogy Society, who is also a volunteer 5. They are too easy to spot. The at the Genealogy Center of the description might go something Museum of Danish America. like this: The driver’s side door She has given her permission to is red, the passenger side door include this article in the America is green, the right front fender is Letter. yellow, etc.

Gayle wrote: 4. The large round bale in the back makes it hard to see if you’re Having recently attended a large being chased. You could use the gathering of my family, I was mirrors if they weren’t cracked asked different questions about and covered with duct tape. the family history. Having not brought the family history with 3. Top speed is only about 45 me, I wasn’t prepared to answer mph. the requests. I have had the following article for some time 2. Who wants a truck that needs and thought this might be the a year’s worth of maintenance, time to use it. u-joints, $3,000 in body work, taillights and windshield.

1. It is hard to commit a crime with everyone waving at you.

By Wanda Sornson

26 MUSEUM OF DANISH AMERICA Some of the above could be how The other thing I realized as Remember: we find relatives or ancestors, not I read those ten reasons, is who we think they should be or that genealogy researching is “Aunty,” Jem spoke up, how they should act. Everyone much like driving that truck. It is should have a relative that we impossible to quickly do research “Atticus say you can choose may not want to claim, but they – there are too many distractions your friends, but you sho’ belong to us anyway. to check out, and they are not always relevant. But sometimes can’t choose your family, I laughed when I read the list it is necessary to throw out the an’ they’re still kin to you of reasons regarding the farm dead ends. We usually proceed truck. As I thought about it, it rather slowly because we have no matter whether you could refer to the ancestors we to use caution. Often it is difficult acknowledge ‘em or not, find for some patrons who are to look back at the areas you much less than perfect. Some have covered so you had better and it make you look right patrons handle it very well, find be using some kind of tracking silly when you don’t.” it humorous, because after all, device to monitor your progress. people are people. Some patrons And, I’m sure just as that truck - To Kill a Mockingbird, do have a bit of trouble accepting has no turning signals, when Chapter 23 the negative aspects of their following an ancestor’s trail back ancestors’ lives. In reality, times there may be little or no signals have not changed all that much, to guide the direction in which we and who are we to judge their should go. motives or actions. What is important to remember is that we don’t always find the untarnished ancestors that we hope to find.

AMERICA LETTER 27 new additions to the wall of honor JULY 1, 2019 – OCTOBER 8, 2019

The Danish Immigrant Wall The information below includes of Honor provides families the immigrant’s name, year of and friends with a means of immigration, location where they preserving the memories of settled, and the name and city of those who emigrated from the donor. Denmark to America. Over 4,500 immigrants are currently JOHN F. RASMUSSEN (1964) recognized on the Wall. Their Hicksville, NY – Supreme Lodge stories and the stories of their of Danish Sisterhood of America families contribute to the growing repository of personal histories at the museum’s Genealogy Center. You may find a list of the immigrants on the Wall of Honor at www. danishmuseum.org.

jens jensen heritage path JULY 1, 2019 – OCTOBER 8, 2019

The Jens Jensen Heritage These individuals have Rosemary Matthiessen & family, Path is a place to celebrate contributed a paver in the sizes of Sterling, IL, including George an occasion or achievement, small, medium or large. & Wendy Matthiessen, Robert recognize an individual or Matthiessen, and James, Amy, organization, or honor the Estate of Herbert M. Jacobsen by Alice & Jacqueline Morrison memory of a loved one. Twice Lowell R. Jacobsen, executor, John & Karen Molgaard, a year the pavers will be Fairway, KS Atlantic, IA engraved and placed within the Flag Plaza: May and October.

By Deb Christensen Larsen

28 MUSEUM OF DANISH AMERICA memorials JULY 1, 2019 – OCTOBER 8, 2019

Through various funds, donors have provided gifts received in memory of:

Harold & Esther Andersen Allan Larsen, my husband Richard Lee Andersen, Harlan, IA, Gladys Holland McCrory, Atlantic, my husband IA Emily S. (nee Lykke) Butler Elsie Rasmussen McNabb Jens T. Carstensen Larry Nelson Etlar Simon Christensen Andy J. Nielsen Myra D. (nee Vig) Christensen Byron (Barney) Olsen T.K. Christensen Glenn Robert Olsen Darrell Christensen of Fargo, ND Irma Ørum Lotte Christensen, my wife Helen Parker, Council Bluffs, IA, Raymond Christensen, my mother Rosemount, MN, my father Niels M. Pedersen Shirley Jean Christensen Regnier James Peterson Congour Sharlene Roge Hans & Mathilde Farstrup Geraldine Elizabeth Nash Lois Girtz Halley Schubeck, my mother, who Bent & Lydia Hansen died on July 20, 2019, at the Roger Hansen of Carroll, IA, my age of 103 father Burdette “Bear” Thomsen, my Olivia Elizabeth Ibsen, Urbandale, dad’s 2-year anniversary of IA passing Betty Ingerslev Thelma Esbeck Wehde Herbert M. Jacobsen Jacob & Dorothea Wolff Roland & Anitra Jensen Tage Ketelsen Svend V. Koch, Cedar Falls, IA Dale Krog, Tracy, MN Glenn Krog, Lake Benton, MN Irene R. (Petersen) Ladd Ezra B. Larsen

AMERICA LETTER 29 in honor JULY 1, 2019 – OCTOBER 8, 2019

Through various funds, donors have provided gifts received in honor of people or special events.

In celebration of Ellen C. Bourquin’s 90th Birthday Loren Christensen of Vines & Wines presentation at Atlantic Friends of the Museum meeting Marilyn Gift making our daughter’s baptism kransekage Paul Roge

MUSEUM MEMBERSHIP MAKES A GREAT GIFT

For lives that are already stuffed full of “stuff,” a museum membership gives back while also giving access. Even last minute, a new membership or renewal is easy to arrange, thoughtful, and rewarding. Contact us any time for gift- giving throughout the year.

30 MUSEUM OF DANISH AMERICA new members JULY 1, 2019 – OCTOBER 8, 2019

The Museum of Danish America is pleased to identify the following 32 individuals as its newest members:

Donna Bame, Rogers, AR Frank Myers, Ponder, TX Robert Bau, Northglenn, CO Christie Chaney & Norman Jerry & Connie Bergstrand, Nielson, La Mesa, CA Show Low, AZ Rob & Ronell, Nymand, Laurie Cappellin, Cary, NC Brayton, IA Geraldine Coutlee, Evelyn Osland, Leroy, MN Rockford, IL James & Candy Paulsen, Bruce Diebold, Waltham, MA Fresno, CA Steve & Sheryl Ferguson, Benjamin & Vera Petersen, Grimes, IA Exira, IA Patrick & Janet Greving, Cary & Cheryl Rasmussen, Elk Horn, IA Osseo, MN Stephen & Connie Hansen, Marilyn Renback, Lennox, SD Minden, NE Russell & Judy Stiley, Jenny Andersen & Chad Nunn, CO Juelsgaard, Elk Horn, IA Del & Ingrid Stites, Omaha, NE Douglas & Laurie Kessler, Roger & Summer Swanson, Bakersfield, CA Fairborn, OH Karen Kron, Boise, ID Todd Thompson, Sioux City, IA Dave & Maggie Larsen, Fred & Margaret Townsend, Marshall, MN Des Moines, IA Alan & Kay Leibel, Winnsboro, TX Greg & Diane Lemoine, Rockton, IL Fredrick Lloyd, Ames, IA Dennis Mar, Pacific Grove, CA Rosemary Matthiessen, Sterling, IL Fred & Amy Moreau, Malvern, IA

AMERICA LETTER 31 organization associates JULY 1, 2019 – OCTOBER 8, 2019

These 72 organizations have Danish Brotherhood Lodge #15, Danish Sisterhood Lodges, contributed memberships or Des Moines, IA Nebraska/Colorado Districts, gifts-in-kind of $100 or greater Danish Brotherhood Lodge #16, Lincoln, NE & Denver or have received complimentary Minden, NE CO areas or reciprocal memberships Danish Brotherhood Lodge #29, Den Danske Pioneer (Elsa in recognition of exemplary Seattle, WA Steffensen & Linda Steffensen), service to the museum. We Danish Brotherhood Lodge #35, Hoffman Estates, IL acknowledge their generosity Homewood, IL Elk Horn Lutheran Church, in each edition of the America Danish Brotherhood Lodge #268, Elk Horn, IA Letter during their membership. Junction City, OR Elk Horn-Kimballton Optimist Danish Brotherhood Lodge #283, Club, Elk Horn & Kimballton, Arcus AS (Aalborg and Linie Dagmar, MT IA area Aquavits), Hagan, Norway Danish Brotherhood Centennial Elverhoj Museum of History and Atlantic Friends of The Danish Lodge #348, Eugene, OR Art, Solvang, CA Immigrant Museum, The Danish Canadian National Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton Atlantic, IA Museum, Spruce View, Alberta, Community School District, Audubon Family Chiropractic Canada Elk Horn, IA area (Douglas & Nichole Olsen), Danish Club of Tucson, Faith, Family, Freedom Audubon, IA Tucson, AZ Foundation (Kenneth & Marlene Boose Building Construction Danish Cultural Center of Larsen), Santa Rosa, CA (Marty & Connie Boose), Greenville, Greenville, MI Hacways (Helene & Nanna Atlantic, IA The Danish Home, Croton-On- Christensen), Hals, Denmark Carroll Control Systems, Inc. Hudson, NY Wayne Hansen Real Estate, LLC, (Todd & Jalynn Wanninger), The Danish Home of Chicago, Elk Horn, IA Carroll, IA Chicago, IL Harlan Tribune Newspapers, Inc. Country Landscapes, Inc. (Rhett Danish Mutual Insurance (Steve Mores & Alan Mores), Faaborg), Ames, IA Association, Elk Horn, IA Harlan, IA Danebod Lutheran Church, Danish Sisterhood Lodge #3, Henningsen Construction, Inc. Tyler, MN Davenport, IA (Brad Henningsen, Vice Dania Society of Chicago, Danish Sisterhood Dagmar Lodge President), Atlantic, IA Chicago, IL area #4, Chicago, IL House of Denmark, Danish American Athletic Club of Danish Sisterhood Dronning San Diego, CA 1922, Chicago, IL area Margrethe Lodge #15, Independent Order of Svithiod, The Danish American Archive and Wauwatosa, WI area Verdandi Lodge #3, Chicago, IL Library, Blair, NE Danish Sisterhood Lodge #20, Kirsten’s Danish Bakery (Kirsten & Danish American Club in Orange Kenosha, WI Paul Jepsen), Hinsdale, IL County, Huntington Beach, Danish Sisterhood Ellen Lodge Knudsen Old Timers, CA area #21, Denver, CO area Glendale, CA Danish American Club of Danish Sisterhood Lodge #102, Landmands Bank (Jeff Petersen, Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Des Moines, IA area President) Audubon, IA WI area Danish Sisterhood Flora Danica Marne Elk Horn Telephone Co., Danish Archive North East Lodge #177, Solvang, CA Elk Horn, IA (DANE), Edison, NJ Danish Sisterhood Lodges, Nelsen and Nelsen, Attorneys at Danish Brotherhood Lodge #1, Heartland District, Iowa- Law, Cozad, NE Omaha, NE Minnesota & surrounding states

32 MUSEUM OF DANISH AMERICA Northwest Danish Association, Seattle, WA O & H Danish Bakery (Eric Olesen), Racine, WI Olsen, Muhlbauer & Co., L.L.P., Carroll, IA Oxen Technology, Harlan, IA Petersen Family Foundation, Inc. (H. Rand & Mary Louise Petersen), Harlan, IA PH-Consulting Group, Inc. (Peder & Andrea Hansen), Omaha, NE Proongily (Cyndi McKeen), St. Paul, MN The Rasmussen Group, Inc. (Sandra Rasmussen and Kurt & Lynette Rasmussen), Des Moines, IA Rebild National Park Society, Southern California Chapter, Los Angeles, CA area Red River Danes, Fargo, ND area Ringsted Danish American Fellowship, Ringsted, IA Royal Danish Embassy, Washington, DC Royal Danish Guard Society, Chicago, IL area Scan Design Foundation, Seattle, WA Shelby County Historical Society & Museum, Harlan, IA Shelby County State Bank, Harlan and Elk Horn, IA Supreme Lodge of the Danish Sisterhood of America Symra Literary Society, Decorah, IA Upward Mobility (Susan Vitek), Hinesburg, VT

MUTUAL BENEFITS While we don’t offer traditional advertising opportunities, sponsoring exhibits and programs often comes with a lot of recognition and simultaneously supports the museum’s mission. Contact us for ideas on how your business or organization can reach out and make an impact! AMERICA LETTER 33 from the archives

Winter is a wonderful time to bake, and Danes are known for their weinerbrød, or pastries. I would like to share with you this well-loved homemade recipe book that was donated in 1994, the year the museum opened.

The book came to us from the Estate of Hilda L. Christoffersen (1905-1994), and we know only that it was created by and belonged to Hilda’s mother, Anna Christensen.

ABOVE is the cover of the composition notebook she used.

AT RIGHT is her recipe for Danish Klejner, a traditional Christmas snack. Notice how she uses both Danish and English in her recipe writing.

The recipe is translated completely to English on the next page. 1994.039.071

By Cheyenne Jansdatter

34 MUSEUM OF DANISH AMERICA danish klejner

1 cup sugar

4 eggs

¼ lb butter [1 stick]

2 tsp heavy cream

4 cups flour

A little cardamom

½ a chopped lemon rind

[Roll out dough. Cut into diamond shapes with a lengthwise slit in the center. Loop bottom point through the slit to twist.] Fry in fat, roll in sugar [powdered].

For more guidance than provided here, watch Photo: https://www.madopskrifter.nu/ a demonstration from Lyngby, Denmark’s Frilandsmuseet (Open Air Museum): https://youtu.be/iay5zUYw8c4

MUSEUM & DESIGN STORE GENEALOGY CENTER 2212 Washington Street 4210 Main Street Monday-Friday 9 am – 5 pm Tuesday-Friday 9 am – 5 pm Saturday 10 am – 5 pm Appointments: 712.764.7008 Sunday Noon – 5 pm BEDSTEMOR’S HOUSE JENS JENSEN PRAIRIE 2105 College Street LANDSCAPE PARK Daily free admission, 1 – 4 pm 2212 Washington Street Memorial Day – Labor Day

35 acres open daily, dawn – dusk Closed: New Years, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas.

AMERICA LETTER 35 Non-Profit US Postage PAID SP&D 2212 WASHINGTON STREET ELK HORN, IA 51531 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED @DANISHMUSEUM

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS 01 CARD &

CARD BACK TEXT ORNAMENT Happy 800th Birthday! The national flag of Denmark,Dannebrog (meaning the banner of the Danes or the red banner), is inscribed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest continuously used national flag. But while Guinness dates the use of the flag to 02 1625, the creation myth dates the flag to 1219, meaning that 2019 marks the flag’s 800-year birthday. The Danes’ use ofDannebrog is “in many ways” distinct, includes as they fly the flag most often for personal events, whether it is to celebrate red birthdays, anniversaries, or just welcoming a loved one home. ribbon Museum of Danish America’s Annual Christmas Tree Papirklip, paper-cutting, is a Danish tradition that continues among many people of Danish heritage in the United States. Each Christmas Annette Andersen of Kimballton decorates the museum’s tree with her own handmade papirklip back ornaments and Dannebrog.

01. Museum of Danish America’s Annual Christmas Card 2019, #6025, $15/pkg of 10; #6024, $2/singles. 02. Annual Keepsake Ornament 2019, #6026, $16. Members receive a 10% discount! More to see in-store and online: www.danishmuseum.org/shop. Orders by phone to 712.764.7001.