Danish Immigrant Museum

  Danish immigrants came to the prairie states in the late 1800s. Many were drawn to the same areas where their relatives and friends had already settled and formed communities that kept the old ways alive. Even now Elk Horn, Iowa is considered one of the largest rural Danish settlements in the US which isn’t saying a lot because only about half of the 650 residents claim Danish descent.  Pride in their heritage is evident at the museum and a nearby 1848 windmill that was carefully disassembled in Denmark, shipped across the ocean, and reassembled in Elk Horn.

        

  The museum is small with a few exhibits about the journey to America, a short video of a local man recalling memories of living on his family’s homestead claim, many donated artifacts from Denmark, and two galleries featuring rotating artwork by Danish artists. A garden following the designs of renowned Danish landscape architect Jens Jensen is located in the rear of the property which also includes a homesteader’s cabin. A one mile round trip, paved path leads to a house built in 1908 by a Danish immigrant and businessman.

        

         

   The museum is accessible. A rough gravel path leads downhill to homesteader’s house. Wheelchair users will need assistance.  The paved path has very steep sections so wheelchair users will need assistance.  The 1908 house was not opened when we visited and I don’t know if any of it is accessible. We did not stop at the windmill but it appears to be accessible to some extent.

  The museum and windmill lots are large enough for RVs. RVs can be parked on the street at the 1908 house.

Museum  41.59245, -95.06871   Windmill   41.5897, -95.06032