Museum of Danish America Buys Adjoining Land in Elk Horn, Iowa
Museum purchases Elim Children’s Home Property –
By Nicky Christensen –
On October 5, 2015, the Museum of Danish America in Elk Horn, Iowa closed on the purchase of land that adjoins its current property, adding five acres to its grounds.
The land, purchased from the recently-dissolved First Baptist Church with the help of the congregation and a number of individual donors, is the site of the former Elim Children’s Home.
From 1890 to 1961, the Elk Horn Lutheran Church operated a children’s home in a two-story house, and nearly 300 boys and girls passed through its doors. At times there were as many as 30 children living and working there. Following its closure, the home was privately owned and later destroyed by fire.
In 1983, 20 acres of the site was donated to the organizing body of The Danish Immigrant Museum (now Museum of Danish America) by the Elk Horn Lutheran Church for the construction of the museum building.
“For many years, the museum’s Board of Directors has felt that, should the Elim Children’s Home property become available, because of its location, proximity, and historic nature, the museum should acquire it,” stated John Mark Nielsen, Executive Director of the Museum of Danish America, “We are especially grateful to the donors and congregation that have made this surprise opportunity possible.”
In the exhibit video “Growing Up at Children’s Homes” (https://youtu.be/G9FHb5pQrxo), you can see interviews with former residents of the Elim Children’s Home and Chicago Danish Children’s Home, recounting memories of everyday life.
The museum does not have any immediate plans for development of the site.
Learn more about the Museum of Danish America at http://www.danishmuseum.org.
=====================================================================
“LIKE” US ON FACEBOOK – Did you know that you can follow The Danish Pioneer Newspaper on FACEBOOK? Please Click HERE and “LIKE” US to Join Our Growing Danish Pioneer Family!
ABOUT THE DANISH PIONEER NEWSPAPER – SINCE 1872 – ENGLISH & DANISH ARTICLES – THE DANISH PIONEER NEWSPAPER IN ACTION: Did you know that The Danish Pioneer’s staff, editors, photographers columnists and writers help readers discover unique travel destinations, interesting films, concerts, books, theatrical works, festivals, exhibitions, sporting events, delicious restaurants, special birthdays and scholarship opportunities in the USA, Canada, Denmark & Scandinavia. Come discover more in 2015. Visit our full website at: http://www.thedanishpioneer.com.
THE DANISH PIONEER NEWSPAPER WAS FOUNDED IN OMAHA, NEBRASKA IN 1872 AND TODAY IS STILL PUBLISHED JUST OUTSIDE CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. Did you know by supporting The Danish Pioneer Newspaper’s print edition, we are able to offer the bonus of our colorful, exciting website. Please support The Danish Pioneer Newspaper. Subscriptions to our print edition are economical, and you receive 26 issues per year including the extra-large, extra-special holiday issue. Subscriptions and advertisements – like annual donations to ethnic institutions or memberships to clubs, lodges and organizations – help The Danish Pioneer Newspaper staff to preserve and to support the Danish-American ethnic press in addition to allowing us to promote the Danish and Scandinavian culture, communities, heritage and traditions in the USA and North America. Please subscribe today or give The Danish Pioneer Newspaper as a gift subscription to a friend or relative. Visit http://www.thedanishpioneer.com/subscribe
