America Letter THE DANISH IMMIGRANT MUSEUM An International Cultural Center Fall 2004 Box 470 • Elk Horn, Iowa 51531 Vol. XVIII, No. 3 The Mogens Kiehn Collection Highlights Post World War II Immigration Following world war II, many was a Congressman from Illinois. Danes immigrated to the United States. “Mr. kiehn has led a colorful life,” among them was Mogens kiehn, an said Curator Barbara lund-Jones, “and engineer and inventor, who was edu- his documentation of that life through cated in Copenhagen and who later the artifacts and related memorabilia is spent time with the French Foreign exceptional.” The artifacts that have been legion in Morocco. In the early 1950s, given to the Museum contain descriptions he came to rockford, Illinois, where that place them within the larger context he worked as an engineer until mov- of his life. ing to Scottsdale, arizona. During his “His interest in the Museum is grati- career he received thirty-two patents fying,” added Executive Director John for a variety of inventions. Mark nielsen. “It challenges us to also After a long, active and adventurous focus our collection efforts on post world life, kiehn has begun giving impor- war II immigrants. Theirs is often a dif- tant artifacts to the Museum, artifacts ferent story from those who immigrated that visually document his story and earlier, and we have a special responsibil- the many people with whom he has ity to work with this generation or we come in contact over the years. These will lose their stories.” to kiehn in april 1972, it also includes include models and prototypes of his An example of kiehn’s documenta- a greeting card from Tribini’s U.S. tour inventions as well as personal notes tion can be seen in the poster from his in 1963. on the back, kiehn has added from such personalities as then General good friend, the magician and character notes and an additional poster. Eisenhower to the current Secretary of actor, Professor Tribini. Signed and given Defense, Donald rumsfeld, when he Historical Danish Folk Costumes In late august, the Danish Immigrant Museum received Lace-maker (right) is a traveling exhibit called Historical Danish Folk Costumes dressed in late Empire Style, C. 1840. The fabric in her from the National Museum of Denmark and began prepara- dress is not homespun. On tions for its installation. By mid-September, this exhibit, her head, she wears a cap featuring 20 dolls dressed in traditional Danish folk cos- for indoor use. Her costume tumes, will be up and ready for the public’s enjoyment on is from Tønder, Southern the third floor of the Museum. Jutland. Standing beside Each of the dolls is approximately 33” tall. Though cos- her is a woman dressed in tumes varied a great deal, these were fashioned to represent Sunday clothes from the as accurately as possible those that were worn between the southern part of the isle of years of 1780 and 1860 in the different regions throughout Funen, 1790s. Her outfit is Denmark. They also represent different occupations and made from linen, wool and homespun materials. She activities from the peasant harvesters to the bailiff to the wears a three-piece cap. elaborate bride and groom outfits. The dolls were carefully – continued on page 2 Lorraine Larsen of Audubon, Iowa, Designs 2004 Christmas Card 2004 Christmas The Danish Immigrant Museum is with her two sisters and two of her male Ornament excited to announce that the 2004 Christ- cousins. (right) and mas card is “Jule aften” by lorraine This year marks the 16th annual Christmas larsen. lorraine has lived her entire Christmas Card and the 5th year for the Card were life in audubon County where she was annual keepsake ornament. we hope designed by a farm homemaker. In 1964, shortly after you will make this year’s card and orna- Lorraine the family’s youngest child was married ment a traditional part of your Christmas Larsen. and moved away, she started painting. holidays. She wanted to have a hobby that she We have made it easy for you to could pursue on the farm. By 1970, lor- order the 2004 annual Christmas Card raine was a proficient, self-taught artist. and ornament. You can order online at over the years, her creativity has taken a www.danishmuseum.org and click on number of forms. Her work has included Museum Shop, call us at 800-759-9192 or sketching, drawing, watercolor painting, send your order to the Danish Immigrant oil painting, mold making, quilt making, Museum Shop, Box 470, Elk Horn, Ia plate making and doll making. 51531. Memory plays an important role in The Museum Shop is already look- lorraine’s work, particularly her paint- ing for the 2005 artwork for the next ings. Several of her paintings reflect Christmas card. Since 2005 is the 200th her childhood experiences. She grew anniversary of Hans Christian ander- up in an early Danish american home sen’s birth, we are looking for artwork and spoke primarily Danish as a small that might celebrate both Christmas and child. Her Jule aften (Christmas Eve) his life and work. we invite you to submit painting depicts, with great charm, the your suggestions or artwork to: Danish tradition of dancing around the The Danish Immigrant Museum Christmas tree. In this painting, lor- Shop raine is the child with blond hair and a P.o. Box 470 blue dress. She dances around the tree Elk Horn, Ia 51531 Folk Costumes . – continued from page 1 Commemorat- researched and are beautifully dressed. A Celebration of Heritage: Danish Folk ing the Christmas all demonstrate impressive attention to Costumes in America on the main floor, Seal Centennial detail and lively color. which features life-sized costumes and The Museum’s winter 2004-05 exhibit Accompanying the dolls are nine life- bonnets, photographs, and paintings from will commemorate the 100th anniversary sized bonnets dating from 1800 to 1870. the Museum’s collection. Visitors will of the Danish Christmas Seals. The a few are elaborate five-fold bonnets be able to enjoy the Historical Danish exhibition will feature items from the with metallic thread embroidery on the Folk Costumes until January 16, and will, Museum’s collection, as well as a truly backsides, and others are much simpler without a doubt, leave the Museum with remarkable private collection on special and consist only of a single piece of fabric a deeper understanding of and interest loan. Conrad Pedersen of the Twin Cit- with a bit of lace trim. as the headdresses in traditional Danish folk costumes. ies area has very graciously agreed to were the most recognizable features of a The Danish Immigrant Museum is make his personal collection of Danish particular region, these pieces provide a grateful to H. rand and Mary louise Pe- Christmas Seals available for this com- great addition to the costumes. tersen of Harlan, Iowa, for the generous memorative exhibition. His collection Adding texture and color to the ex- donation that allowed us to partner with is extensive and very well presented. hibit will be 16 hand-woven fabrics, also the national Museum of Denmark and His loan will make the viewing of this representing the different regions of Den- the nordic Heritage Museum of Seattle, exhibition particularly memorable. mark through the distinct patterns, colors, washington, in making this exhibit pos- and weaving styles. Various prints will sible. detail the costumes and regions for the viewer. This exhibit is closely linked to 2 America Letter Director’s Corner by John Mark challenge coming generations to draw Published Three Times annually By Nielsen lessons from those who have gone be- The Danish Immigrant Museum As I write this, fore them. For that reason I’m excited to 2212 washington, PoBox 470 I am in Chicago, have Judy Meisel, a Holocaust survivor, Elk Horn, Iowa 51531 712-764-7001 800-759-9192 visiting our sec- visit area schools in audubon, Cass Fax 712-764-7002 ond grandson who and Shelby Counties and to share with was born on Sep- teachers and students the resources we www.danishmuseum.org th email: [email protected] tember 8 . His have at the Museum. I look forward to name is aksel, ways in which we can be a resource to Board of Directors a good Danish our members across the country and to President - Joy Ibsen, Trout Creek, MI name. with his birth, Dawn and I become their young ones by providing or recom- Vice-President - Vern Hunter, Fargo, nD Secretary - Julie Jorgensen, wayzata, Mn mormor and morfar for the first time, as mending resources for learning about Treasurer - Clark Mathisen, omaha, nE he is the first child of our daughter, Eva, their Danish heritage. Birgit andersen, Ithaca, nY and son-in-law, Mike. aksel’s cousin, I am so grateful to the many support- Egon Bodtker, Salem, or John Henrik, our son and daughter-in- ers who are assisting us in meeting this ronald Bro, Parkersburg, Ia law’s first child lives just five blocks responsibility. Through the generosity Dr. Borge M. Christensen, Tucson, aZ Carlo Christensen, Glendale, Ca away from them. To him we are farmor of the Eric and Joan norgaard Chari- lois Christensen, Elk Horn, Ia and farfar. table Trust, we are able to expand our Thomas Christensen, Bettendorf, Ia We adopted the use of the Danish educational outreach this next year. I anne-Marie Douglas, Chicago, Il terms for grandparents (mother’s mother, am thankful for generous donors like H. Dr. Gordon r. Esbeck, Tipton, Ia mother’s father, etc.) when our first son, rand and Mary louise Petersen, mem- Thomas Hansen, Blair, nE Erna Jensen, Des Moines, Ia John Preben was born.