Museum of Danish America*
About this place
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 & Education Center assists individuals in finding links to their past.