Thomas Dambo Troll - Museum of Danish America
Source: https://www.danishmuseum.org/thomas-dambo-troll
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:19
Thomas Dambo Troll - Museum of Danish America
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Thomas Dambo Troll at MoDA
The Museum of Danish America is pursuing an ambitious new attraction: a towering, lumbering troll sculpture by world-renowned recycle artist Thomas Dambo.
The troll installation on the Museum’s campus will join a global network of Dambo’s whimsical giants, which are constructed from reclaimed wood and hidden in forests, parks, and cultural destinations around the world. The sculptures have become popular travel destinations, drawing visitors eager to discover and photograph the imaginative works.
This project celebrates our Danish heritage while giving people a compelling new reason to experience the Museum and the Danish Villages. It continues the tradition of bold ideas that have shaped our community for generations.
Building on the impossible
Fifty years ago, an Elk Horn resident had what many considered an impossible idea. Harvey Sornson dreamed of bringing an authentic Danish windmill to our small community. With the help of neighbors, volunteers, and donors, the town imported a historic windmill from Nørre Snede, Denmark, and reconstructed it in Iowa. That was only the beginning.
Just a few years later, in 1983, the Museum of Danish America opened its doors, preserving and sharing the stories, traditions, and enduring spirit of Danish Americans for generations to come.
Now, the Danish Villages are once again imagining something extraordinary—a giant wooden troll that could become the region’s next cultural landmark.
Read the Press Release
Events
To coincide with the troll installation, we plan to host the following events!
Construction:
April 6 – 24
Artist Talk:
April 23 | 7 – 9 pm
Midnight at MoDA:
April 23 | 9 pm
Events are subject to change. Please refer to our website and social media platforms for up-to-date information.
Troll Timeline
Phases
Design and development ✔
Preproduction ✔
Shipping of preproduced parts ✔
Preparations by MoDA ✔
Construction and installation at MoDA –
April 2026
Fundraising Goal
As of March 27, we have raised 85% of the money needed for this project.
Donate today. Every gift helps bring the troll
one step closer.
Donate
Sponsorship
We recognize the value of every gift and are grateful for contributions of any size.
The following naming opportunities are available for large donations.
Sponsorship levels:
$100,000
–
Legend Sponsor
– lead recognition in project materials, signage, and the opening celebration
$50,000 – Folklore Sponsor
– prominent recognition on site and in promotional materials
$25,000 – Fairy Tale Sponsor
– recognition as a founding supporter of the project
Become a sponsor
Donate
With your generous support, we can join the global network of destinations hosting a troll by Thomas Dambo.
Together, we can create a landmark that sparks imagination, strengthens community, and welcomes visitors for generations.
Help us bring a troll to the Danish Villages.
Donate
This project will
inspire pride in our young people
strengthen community identity
draw visitors from across the country
encourage collaboration across generations
remind us that bold dreams are possible
About the Artist
Thomas Dambo is a world-renowned Danish recycle artist known for building giant troll sculptures from reclaimed wood. His vision is to create art that inspires people to go explore, have adventures in nature, and demonstrate that trash can be turned into something beautiful.
Visit Dambo’s website
Excitement within the Community
“This is not just about installing a sculpture. It is about continuing a tradition of vision. It is about saying that Elk Horn and Kimballton are not defined by size, but by spirit.”
Read more
Get involved!
This project is about more than building a sculpture—it’s about building something together. We’re inviting community members, supporters, and friends of the Museum of Danish America to help bring this vision to life.
There are many ways to participate: volunteer your time, help spread the word, support the project through a donation, or become part of the team helping us plan and coordinate this exciting endeavor. Together, we can create something truly special—an experience that will inspire our community and welcome visitors discovering the Museum and the Danish Villages for years to come.
Community
This project is designed to actively involve the community at every stage. Developing from a standalone structure into a community achievement, we are creating community buy-in and strengthening our local economy through tourism efforts.
Outreach
This project brings sustainability, education, art, and engineering to life by engaging local schools and youth through hands-on workshops, high school shop, art, media, and STEM classes. Participants gain transferable skills, unique experiences, and resume-ready achievements, while the project becomes a vibrant, lasting community asset.
Volunteering
Contribute your skills, creativity, curiosity, and resources. Whether you have a specific skill or simply want to lend a hand, there is a place for everyone in this project.
Learn how you can volunteer
TUSIND TAK
“A thousand thanks” in Danish
Skip to content
Thomas Dambo Troll at MoDA
The Museum of Danish America is pursuing an ambitious new attraction: a towering, lumbering troll sculpture by world-renowned recycle artist Thomas Dambo.
The troll installation on the Museum’s campus will join a global network of Dambo’s whimsical giants, which are constructed from reclaimed wood and hidden in forests, parks, and cultural destinations around the world. The sculptures have become popular travel destinations, drawing visitors eager to discover and photograph the imaginative works.
This project celebrates our Danish heritage while giving people a compelling new reason to experience the Museum and the Danish Villages. It continues the tradition of bold ideas that have shaped our community for generations.
Building on the impossible
Fifty years ago, an Elk Horn resident had what many considered an impossible idea. Harvey Sornson dreamed of bringing an authentic Danish windmill to our small community. With the help of neighbors, volunteers, and donors, the town imported a historic windmill from Nørre Snede, Denmark, and reconstructed it in Iowa. That was only the beginning.
Just a few years later, in 1983, the Museum of Danish America opened its doors, preserving and sharing the stories, traditions, and enduring spirit of Danish Americans for generations to come.
Now, the Danish Villages are once again imagining something extraordinary—a giant wooden troll that could become the region’s next cultural landmark.
Read the Press Release
Events
To coincide with the troll installation, we plan to host the following events!
Construction:
April 6 – 24
Artist Talk:
April 23 | 7 – 9 pm
Midnight at MoDA:
April 23 | 9 pm
Events are subject to change. Please refer to our website and social media platforms for up-to-date information.
Troll Timeline
Phases
Design and development ✔
Preproduction ✔
Shipping of preproduced parts ✔
Preparations by MoDA ✔
Construction and installation at MoDA –
April 2026
Fundraising Goal
As of March 27, we have raised 85% of the money needed for this project.
Donate today. Every gift helps bring the troll
one step closer.
Donate
Sponsorship
We recognize the value of every gift and are grateful for contributions of any size.
The following naming opportunities are available for large donations.
Sponsorship levels:
$100,000
–
Legend Sponsor
– lead recognition in project materials, signage, and the opening celebration
$50,000 – Folklore Sponsor
– prominent recognition on site and in promotional materials
$25,000 – Fairy Tale Sponsor
– recognition as a founding supporter of the project
Become a sponsor
Donate
With your generous support, we can join the global network of destinations hosting a troll by Thomas Dambo.
Together, we can create a landmark that sparks imagination, strengthens community, and welcomes visitors for generations.
Help us bring a troll to the Danish Villages.
Donate
This project will
inspire pride in our young people
strengthen community identity
draw visitors from across the country
encourage collaboration across generations
remind us that bold dreams are possible
About the Artist
Thomas Dambo is a world-renowned Danish recycle artist known for building giant troll sculptures from reclaimed wood. His vision is to create art that inspires people to go explore, have adventures in nature, and demonstrate that trash can be turned into something beautiful.
Visit Dambo’s website
Excitement within the Community
“This is not just about installing a sculpture. It is about continuing a tradition of vision. It is about saying that Elk Horn and Kimballton are not defined by size, but by spirit.”
Read more
Get involved!
This project is about more than building a sculpture—it’s about building something together. We’re inviting community members, supporters, and friends of the Museum of Danish America to help bring this vision to life.
There are many ways to participate: volunteer your time, help spread the word, support the project through a donation, or become part of the team helping us plan and coordinate this exciting endeavor. Together, we can create something truly special—an experience that will inspire our community and welcome visitors discovering the Museum and the Danish Villages for years to come.
Community
This project is designed to actively involve the community at every stage. Developing from a standalone structure into a community achievement, we are creating community buy-in and strengthening our local economy through tourism efforts.
Outreach
This project brings sustainability, education, art, and engineering to life by engaging local schools and youth through hands-on workshops, high school shop, art, media, and STEM classes. Participants gain transferable skills, unique experiences, and resume-ready achievements, while the project becomes a vibrant, lasting community asset.
Volunteering
Contribute your skills, creativity, curiosity, and resources. Whether you have a specific skill or simply want to lend a hand, there is a place for everyone in this project.
Learn how you can volunteer
TUSIND TAK
“A thousand thanks” in Danish