Regional Sociology Commons^™

The Danish Folk Society, J. S. Faaborg

The Bridge

The “Danish Folk Society” was established in the spring of 1887. On April 18 of that year a public invitation was issued for the establishment of the society, and from April 18 till April 21 this year the society celebrated its 25th anniversary here in Clinton, Iowa. The celebration took place at the location where the idea got its start and where the plans were laid.

The Danish Brotherhood In America, L. L. Ries

The Bridge

The Danish Brotherhood originally branched off from the “Danish Brothers in Arms,” which was established in Omaha in 1881. Already a few years before, some local groups of “Brothers in Arms” had been established here and there, by men who had participated in the wars of 1848 and 1864. What especially tied the members together was the desire for social get-togethers and to refresh memories from the war years and to give mutual assistance in case of illness.

The Danish Society Dania Of California, Carl Plow

The Bridge

This society was established December 11th, 1879 in Oakland, California.

Its original name was “Den Danske Forening Dania af Oakland og Alameda” (The Danish Society Dania of Oakland and Alameda), and its original purpose was to further the social life among the Danish settlers in these twin cities.

It soon became evident, however, that if the young society were to grow and thrive and keep its membership, it would have to include other and more tenable points on its program, not just entertainment, and thus it was decided to establish a health and burial insurance, and it has been functioning …

The Danish Sisterhood In America, L. M. Hofenblad

The Bridge

The Danish Sisterhood in America is ca. 2 years younger than its big brother, The Danish Brotherhood, as the first lodge, namely “The Christine Lodge” No. 1 in Negaunee, Mich. was organized on the 15th of December, 1883 by Mrs. Christine Hemmingsen, whose husband was a member of the Brotherhood. Consequently, the Sisterhood has now existed for 24 years.

The Danish-American Society (Dansk-Amerikansk Selskab), C .H. W. Hasselriis

The Bridge

The purpose of the Danish-American Society is summarized in concise form in its Constitution: to promote a reciprocal and better understanding of the Danish and the American peoples, to knit closer ties between these two nations, and to advance the interests of both.

The work of solving these tasks is still only in its infancy, so, consequently, this is not a history of the Society.