Tourist Attractions in The Danish Villages
Danish Windmill
The Danish Windmill museum shows visitors the inside workings of a historic mill built in Nørre Snede, Denmark in 1848. It was brought to America in pieces where it was lovingly rebuilt in the Danish Village of Elk Horn by community volunteers in 1976 in honor of their Danish ancestors and restored to working order. The complex also features a replica of a 900AD Viking smithy’s home and workshop, the tiny Morning Star Chapel and a replica of the village of Ebeltoft, Denmark. The museum store features Danish cultural heritage gifts, books, foods, collectibles from Royal Copenhagen and Bing & Grøndahl. The Danish Windmill is also an Iowa Welcome Center.
Hours: Monday-Saturday 10 am - 4 pm, Sunday Noon - 4 pm
Phone: 712-764-7472 ~ info@danishwindmill.org ~ www.danishwindmill.com
Museum of Danish America
The museum is surrounded by the 30-acre Jens Jensen Prairie Landscape Park. The park boasts picnic areas, a hard-surfaced walking trail, mowed walking paths through the prairie, outdoor exercise equipment, and the Jens Dixen homesteader’s cabin from the early 1900s. The 28,000 square foot glass and timber museum has three floors of of exhibits and a Design Store filled with contemporary Scandinavian and American designed merchandise.
Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10 am - 4 pm
Phone: 712-764-7001 ~ email: info@danishmuseum.org ~ www.danishmuseum.org
Bedstemor's House
A part of the Museum of Danish America Campus, Bedstemor’s (Grandmother’s) House, is a charming Victorian home built in 1908 by a Danish immigrant. The home has been restored and furnished to reflect the lifestyle of the Danish-American families who lived there in the 20th century and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Call Ahead for Hours
Genealogy Center
The research library of the Museum of Danish America, this center offers translation and research services and has a significant collection of background materials relating to individuals, settlements and institutions. Hours: Tuesday - Friday 9 am - 4 pm; other times by appointment.
Phone: 712-764-7008 ~ email: genealogy@danishmuseum.org
Danish Countryside Vines & Wines
Danish Countryside Vines & Wines invites you to visit them at their farm. The winery is a completely renovated European style barn where they master creating their fine wines. Offering tours of the winery and vineyard, they share the process of making wine and explaining vitaculture practices. Taste a selection of Danish Countryside's wine on the balcony that overlooks the vineyard.
Hours: Monday - Sunday Noon - 5 p.m.
Phone: 712-764-2991
Hans Christian Andersen’s Little Mermaid & Sculpture Garden
Since 1978 a replica of the famous Little Mermaid statue of Copenhagen, Denmark has sat in the fountain at the Kimballton City Park. Troy Muller, Art Director of New Century Art Guild in Kimballton, designed and sculpted eight bronze figures based on short stories written by Hans Christian Andersen. Marne Elk Horn Telephone Company provides a call-in service where visitors can dial 712-773-4267 (HANS) to hear a 3 minute synopsis of each fairytale themed sculpture. The City Park also features a great playground for children, the Lloyd Petersen Ball Park and the Freedom Rock of Audubon County, painted by artist Ray “Bubba” Sorensen II.
New Century Art Guild
The New Century Art Guild is a non-profit organization that promotes the growth of artistic culture and development of art-related careers in the Midwest, especially those of military veterans wishing to make new careers in visual arts. The guild supports and operates three buildings that feature over 4,000 square feet of studio and gallery space. The galleries are located on Main Street in Kimballton. Exhibits and workshops are held at various times throughout the year.
Phone: 712-249-2184
Immanuel Lutheran Church
Since 1904 the church on the hill, founded by Danish immigrants, has served its congregation and invites all to worship.