Across Oceans, Across Time ® … Preserving the Banners and Artifacts of the Danish Brotherhood and Sisterhood

Across Oceans, Across Time ^® …

A Continuing Series of Articles in “The Danish Pioneer Newspaper” presented by the Museum of Danish America

By Angela Stanford, Curator of Collections & Registrar at the Museum of Danish America

The Museum of Danish America in Elk Horn, Iowa has a large collection of artifacts relating to the Danish Brotherhood in America and the Danish Sisterhood. The Brotherhood began as a national fraternal insurance association for Danish immigrant males. Later, it evolved into more of a social organization. The Sisterhood, initially a social and financial aid association, also became largely social in function.

The Brotherhood and Sisterhood collection includes photographs of conventions, framed charters from different lodges, ribbons and pins worn by members and officers, ballot boxes and marbles used for voting, and plaques. These banners are two of the largest, and most fragile, parts of the collection. Out of hundreds of pieces representing these organizations, there are only 15 banners.

The banner of Muskegon Lodge #30 of the Danish Brotherhood. (Photo courtesy of the Museum of Danish America)

About half of the banners are large like the two shown here, these each about 3 ½ feet by 5 feet. These large banners are typically made of silk with heavy embroidered lettering and designs. Often, tassels attach at the bottom edges and ropes sometimes decorate the tops and hang down the long sides, ending in tassels. These banners are ornate works of art, very visual representations of these fraternal organizations that still exist today.

Because of their fragile nature, many of the museum’s silk banners are in need of repair and stabilization so that they may be preserved long-term.  If you are interested in contributing to this effort, please contact Angela Stanford, Curator of Collections/Registrar, at the phone number below or at registrar@danishmuseum.org.

The Museum of Danish America is located at 2212 Washington Street, Elk Horn, Iowa 51531. Become a member – Contact the museum at 712-764-7001 or 1-800-759-9192 or www.danishmuseum.org or follow the Museum on Facebook.