The Museum of Danish America* is located on 35-acres in the heart of the largest rural settlement of Danes in the U.S. The four-building complex and grounds invite visitors to explore the cultural heritage and natural landscape of Iowa’s Danish Villages.
The museum’s main building, a magnificent half-timbered structure, features three floors of exhibits; a LEGO© Play Area; and a Design Store with Scandinavian and American design items.
Enjoy a commanding view of the lush Iowa hills and recreated prairie surrounding the museum in the Jens Jensen Prairie Landscape Park, named for the renowned Danish immigrant known as the father of the Prairie School of Landscape Architecture. The park features picnic areas; walking paths; council rings; innovative Danish-designed outdoor fitness equipment; and a small homesteader’s cabin, Jens Dixen Cabin. A paved path connects with Bedstemor’s House (Grandmother’s House), a charming Victorian home built in 1908 by a Danish immigrant and now on the National Register of Historic Places. The home has been restored and furnished to reflect the lifestyle of the Danish-American families who lived there in the early 20th century.
The Genealogy Center assists individuals in finding links to their past.