Museum of Danish America

This was a fantastic museum! Small but mighty. The grounds are kept so well and I loved being able to walk the prairie landscape park by Jens Jensen. There was a lot of good information inside, of course with artwork, to artifacts and even some props brought over from Denmark. My favorite was the small photo album from the 1970's when they brought over the Danish windmill from Denmark and it shows the complete transformation. The staff was SO kind and helpful and just really eager for us to ask questions and have a great experience and visit. As someone who adores everything Danish I loved this exhibit! Their gift shop was so well done and I walked away with some local honey and Bjorn Wiinblad wall hanging to add to my collection. I would definitely recommend this place if you're visiting the area, and I so hope to be back one day!

Rather an interesting little museum. There are a couple of oddball items (the tiny 6'x8' chapel a Danish churchbuilder decided to build in his yard, which is now on the grounds, for example), but the tiny exhibit on how the Danes thwarted the Nazis to save as many Jews as possible during WW2 was deeply moving. The story is narrated by beloved Danish comedian Victor Borge, which is a nice plus. I do wish more of the artifacts were originals instead of copies, but keeping the originals in storage does keep the originals safe. You can also see Borge's piano and watch excerpts from some of his comedy routines.There's a nice exhibit on Danish modern furniture, and a history of immigration in the basement. Most of the collection isn't on display yet, but they have their archives / storage, or at least part of them, on display behind glass walls, so you can see some of them stacked on shelves. It's an interesting approach; during the week presumably you can see the conservators working on them. Some typical small items are displayed under glass in labeled drawers along the wall; visitors pull them out at will. Additional information about the items would be nice, but it keeps them out of the light while making them somewhat accessible.On the grounds with the odd mini-chapel are a tiny homesteader's cabin/school (accessible, like the chapel, with keys you check out) and an arbor with information on Jens Jensen, the Danish immigrant who designed parts of the Chicago park system and who worked with Frank Lloyd Wright.There's also a nice little gift shop with books, recipes and Danish-made tchotchkes, and a Lego (product of Denmark!) display/play area for the kiddies.Admission also entitles you to visit Bedstemor's House, a little 1908 house in Elk Horn a few blocks away, though I didn't.

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to visit the Museum of Danish America on a bus tour the weekend of the Annual Julefest (right after Thanksgiving) in Elk Horn, IA. The building was very modern yet cozy. The area to the left of the entrance is reserved for contemporary exhibits. While we were there, sculptures by a Danish artist were on display. The museum also featured a very nice gift shop. I recall a lot of seasonal items and kitchen accessories. Most interesting were the loose leaf teacups - I'd not seen anything like it before or since. There was an interactive Lego play area for kids and a section on the history of the Danish and Danish-American immigrants and Danish culture. We only got to spend an hour there and it was too cold to tour the grounds so I'm sure there was even more to see. Their website at www.danishmuseum.org provides a wealth of information on current events and genealogy.

This is a gem in a small town. We moved to nearby Omaha a couple of years ago, and were delighted to find this museum and its charming surroundings within just a couple hours' drive. We happen to love all things Scandinavian, so this was especially fun for us.The exhibits give a wonderful history of the area, and helped put the immigrant experience into perspective for us. It was also fully engaging for our 3-and-7-year-old daughters. I highly recommend a family visit - it's well worth the drive.

A very nice little pit stop along the road. The museum is beautiful and very well laid out. Really interesting items from immigrants in the basement of the building. I ended up coming on a day where admission was free and they had food as an opening day for the spring season. It was nice. Staff was friendly and helpful!! A great little stop along the way through Iowa!!

Great stop when traveling across IA.

Great museum, staff was very friendly! Inside and out it offers a lot of history! The basement has a cool glass preservation room. Tons of artifacts. Don't forget the 3rd floor! They have lots of historical displays up there!

This museum is a wonderful way to spend your time in Elkhorn. My family and I visited here last summer. I loved the detailed history of Denmark they shared here. I learned quite a bit. They had entertainment for the kids, while we perused the museum. The gift shop is wonderful they have delightful gifts from Denmark, I bought my sister a watch it was beautiful. I recommend you visit here if you get the chance it is worth it.

Totally worth a stop. Literally a museum in the middle of a cornfield, so our expectations were low. We could not have been more surprised by this beautiful, complete, and informative museum. Whether or not you have Danish ancestory, this is a fascinating view of the immigration of one ethnic group over the past centuries. We learned a lot, and were amazed by the quality of the exhibits. Staff was excellent, and the grounds are another beautiful experience alltogether. Great stop if you are driving through Iowa.