| Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, Protector |
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| __________________________________________ PRINT PAGES OPEN IN A NEW WINDOW. The Danish Immigrant Museum 2212 Washington Street P. O. Box 470 Elk Horn, Iowa 51531-0470 Telephone 712.764.7001 Fax 712.764.7002 |
| The Christensen House, more popularly known as Bedstemor’s (Grandmother’s) House, was officially placed on the National Register of Historic Places on January 16, 1997.
Purchased by the Community Arts and Recreation Council of Elk Horn and Kimballton in 1981, the restoration of the property was accomplished by volunteers. Both the purchase of the house and its restoration were spearheaded by the efforts of former Elk Horn resident Ardis Petersen. The restoration began in 1982 and was completed in 1983. The Council operated the house for seven years. In April 1990 the house was deeded to The Danish Immigrant Museum, which continues to operate the home as a museum and educational exhibit. To quote the National Register nomination: “The Christensen or Bedstemor’s House is a treasure because it was so well preserved by its owners and well restored by its caretakers, and can tell us so much about the history of this land. Visitors to Bedstemor’s can learn about Danish immigration to the New World, the settlement of Danish immigrants in the midwest, and the ways in which Danish immigrants adapted their old culture to a new land.” |
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| According to Mabel Jensen of Knoxville, Iowa, who visited the house in 1996, “. . . somehow, you feel you can reach out and bring the past back even for just a short time. I really enjoyed seeing all the old furniture, which reached back into my childhood. I am so glad I got to see it all and certainly enjoyed my visit….” For several years, Elmer T. Sornson was the primary docent at Bedstemor’s House. He performed an excellent service to the community and the museum in that capacity until his death in October 1994. Placement of the house on the National Register of Historic Places was done in honor of the vision and persistence of Ardis Petersen and in memory of Elmer T. Sornson. Bedstemor’s House is open to the public between 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm from May 15th to September 15th. |
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