Danish-American Culture - Museum of Danish America
Source: https://www.danishmuseum.org/danish-american-culture
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:14
Danish-American Culture - Museum of Danish America
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Danish-American Culture
Since the 1700s, Danes have been immigrating to the US and establishing communities around their shared heritage. Whether in cities or in the countryside, Danish-American communities have been vibrant hubs of a unique ethnic identity.
Between 1870 and 1930, over 300,000 Danes left Denmark to pursue the opportunities and freedoms promised by the United States. While some moved to escape religious persecution, many more sought opportunity and land.
In the Upper Midwest, many became involved with farming and dairying. In addition, many Danish Americans joined the US Armed Forces in World War One and Two, building a connection to the country through military service.
Danish Americans had an active debate regarding how “American” they should become. Based in Blair, NE, the “Holy Danes” believed in strict self-discipline and personal faith. They also discouraged the use of the Danish language and traditional folk dances in favor of total assimilation to American cultural norms. In contrast, the “Happy Danes,” based in Des Moines, IA, favored community, singing, and dancing. They also advocated for the preservation of Danish culture alongside American citizenship.
1.5 million Americans now claim Danish ancestry, with the largest populations in California, Illinois, and Iowa.
The immigration experience
Learn more about the history of immigration from Denmark through the United States and some of the largest Danish-American communities!
View the exhibition
From the Blog
‘Tis the Season for Snaps
November 24, 2025
|
Danish Culture
,
Danish-American Culture
“I’m in Denmark with all of my family and brought a couple of bottles of Jule Aquavit. We think that this, by far, is the best snaps we have ever had.” – Peder Hansen, former MoDA board member Aquavit, a spirit traditionally flavored with caraway and a blend of herbs and spices, holds a cherished…
Navigating Danish Genealogy – Census Records
September 26, 2025
|
Danish Culture
,
Danish-American Culture
,
Genealogy
What can we learn from census records? Census records are one of several primary sources used in genealogy research. In the United States, the Constitution mandates that a national census occurs every 10 years. The first federal census occurred in 1790, and the most recent in 2020. Data from the 1890 census is mostly non-existent…
The Gift of 100 Years: Corinne Kellar’s Journey through a Century
September 3, 2025
|
Danish-American Culture
My name is Corinne Eagen Kellar. I was born on September 1, 1925, on a farm in South Central Iowa. The area was settled largely by Danish immigrants, and my mother was a first-generation Dane. From her, I inherited Danish customs and traditions. From my father, a third-generation Irishman, came the spirit of Ireland. Together,…
View More Posts
Preserving Danish America
The Museum of Danish America is not the only organization preserving Danish heritage in the US.
Use these links to check out some of our partner organizations!
The Danish-American Historical Society
The DAHS is a national organization supporting research and conferences related to Danish America.
Visit the DAHS
Danish-American Archive and Library
Danish American Archive and Library collects, catalogs, preserves and makes available to the public, documents, photos and other media that show the rich history and contributions to American life of Danish Americans from immigration to the present day.
Visit the Danish-American Archive and Library
Danish Immigrant Archive
The Grand View Danish Immigrant Archives seeks to preserve, protect, and provide access to materials relating to the Danish heritage in the United States, primarily Iowa.
Visit the Danish Immigrant Archive
The Danish Sisterhood
The Danish Sisterhood of America is a community organization dedicated to strengthen, maintain and preserve Danish heritage and traditions for future generations.
Visit the Danish Sisterhood
The American-Scandinavian Foundation
The American-Scandinavian Foundation (ASF) promotes firsthand exchange of intellectual and creative influence between the United States and the Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.
Visit the American-Scandinavian Foundation
National Foundation for Danish America
The National Foundation for Danish America (NFDA)
was formed in 2019 with the goal of strengthening cooperation among Danish American organizations and ties between Denmark (or Danish Culture) and those who have a special interest or relationship with Denmark.
Visit the National Foundation for Danish America
Skip to content
Danish-American Culture
Since the 1700s, Danes have been immigrating to the US and establishing communities around their shared heritage. Whether in cities or in the countryside, Danish-American communities have been vibrant hubs of a unique ethnic identity.
Between 1870 and 1930, over 300,000 Danes left Denmark to pursue the opportunities and freedoms promised by the United States. While some moved to escape religious persecution, many more sought opportunity and land.
In the Upper Midwest, many became involved with farming and dairying. In addition, many Danish Americans joined the US Armed Forces in World War One and Two, building a connection to the country through military service.
Danish Americans had an active debate regarding how “American” they should become. Based in Blair, NE, the “Holy Danes” believed in strict self-discipline and personal faith. They also discouraged the use of the Danish language and traditional folk dances in favor of total assimilation to American cultural norms. In contrast, the “Happy Danes,” based in Des Moines, IA, favored community, singing, and dancing. They also advocated for the preservation of Danish culture alongside American citizenship.
1.5 million Americans now claim Danish ancestry, with the largest populations in California, Illinois, and Iowa.
The immigration experience
Learn more about the history of immigration from Denmark through the United States and some of the largest Danish-American communities!
View the exhibition
From the Blog
‘Tis the Season for Snaps
November 24, 2025
|
Danish Culture
,
Danish-American Culture
“I’m in Denmark with all of my family and brought a couple of bottles of Jule Aquavit. We think that this, by far, is the best snaps we have ever had.” – Peder Hansen, former MoDA board member Aquavit, a spirit traditionally flavored with caraway and a blend of herbs and spices, holds a cherished…
Navigating Danish Genealogy – Census Records
September 26, 2025
|
Danish Culture
,
Danish-American Culture
,
Genealogy
What can we learn from census records? Census records are one of several primary sources used in genealogy research. In the United States, the Constitution mandates that a national census occurs every 10 years. The first federal census occurred in 1790, and the most recent in 2020. Data from the 1890 census is mostly non-existent…
The Gift of 100 Years: Corinne Kellar’s Journey through a Century
September 3, 2025
|
Danish-American Culture
My name is Corinne Eagen Kellar. I was born on September 1, 1925, on a farm in South Central Iowa. The area was settled largely by Danish immigrants, and my mother was a first-generation Dane. From her, I inherited Danish customs and traditions. From my father, a third-generation Irishman, came the spirit of Ireland. Together,…
View More Posts
Preserving Danish America
The Museum of Danish America is not the only organization preserving Danish heritage in the US.
Use these links to check out some of our partner organizations!
The Danish-American Historical Society
The DAHS is a national organization supporting research and conferences related to Danish America.
Visit the DAHS
Danish-American Archive and Library
Danish American Archive and Library collects, catalogs, preserves and makes available to the public, documents, photos and other media that show the rich history and contributions to American life of Danish Americans from immigration to the present day.
Visit the Danish-American Archive and Library
Danish Immigrant Archive
The Grand View Danish Immigrant Archives seeks to preserve, protect, and provide access to materials relating to the Danish heritage in the United States, primarily Iowa.
Visit the Danish Immigrant Archive
The Danish Sisterhood
The Danish Sisterhood of America is a community organization dedicated to strengthen, maintain and preserve Danish heritage and traditions for future generations.
Visit the Danish Sisterhood
The American-Scandinavian Foundation
The American-Scandinavian Foundation (ASF) promotes firsthand exchange of intellectual and creative influence between the United States and the Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.
Visit the American-Scandinavian Foundation
National Foundation for Danish America
The National Foundation for Danish America (NFDA)
was formed in 2019 with the goal of strengthening cooperation among Danish American organizations and ties between Denmark (or Danish Culture) and those who have a special interest or relationship with Denmark.
Visit the National Foundation for Danish America