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History
in a pecan Shell
Danevang (Danish Meadow or Fields) come into being in 1894. A
group of Danes who had already been in the U.S. formed the nucleus.
They were joined by others who arrived directly from Denmark.
The land was acquired by the Danish People's Society and the Lutheran
Church was its anchor and support.
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The Danevang
Post Office was started in 1895. The hardships of life in Texas
drove some of the settlers to California where they formed another
colony, which prospers today as a tourist attraction.
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The
Danish Lutheran Church
with History Obelisk TE
Photo |
One
of the older tombstones
in the Cemetery TE Photo |
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A
representative farmhouse of the
Danish settlers in Danevang
TE Photo 1999 |
On the church
lawn stands a short obelisk which has a chronicle of the community's
triumphs and tragedies engraved on it.
The cemetery tombstones are nearly 100% Danish surnames. Some
of the stones have the Danish birthplaces engraved on them.
The school taught classes both in English and Danish, but they
also had language instruction in Danish during the summer months.
They had their own community library and formed several cooperatives
which remain in place today.
The community still keeps weather statistics for the weather bureau.
There have been only 7 recorders since the records started being
kept in 1896.
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The weathervane
on the Danish Heritage Museum,
combines a symbol of their Viking Heritage with the community's
fondness for weather observing.
For the interesting story of one extraordinary Danish immigrant
(but not from Danevang) see The
Esperson Building.
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Danevang, Texas
Attraction
The Danish
Heritage Museum
The Danish Heritage Museum is housed in a building constructed very
much like those built by the early settlers and includes features
reminiscent of the barns of Denmark. Of course, the roof is red.
The Museum houses artifacts of the early Danish settlement and contains
exhibits relating to the Viking culture, as well as exhibits pertaining
to the agriculture of the area, weather observation and the historic
Danevang church and cemetery.
From covered wagons to iron wheeled tractors, the Danish Heritage
Preservation Society has collected restored farm implements used
by early Danevang settlers and farmers.
The early settler's 1898 Pioneer House was moved to the museum site
in 1993. It has been restored to its original configuration and
reflects the lifestyle of the early Danish pioneers.The furnishings
and fixtures,of the early 1900's era, depict the heritage and craftsmanship
of the Danish Culture.
Museum Hours are Tuesday - Saturday 1PM - 4PM. We are located at
153 County Road 426, at State Highway 71, 11 miles southeast of
U.S. Hwy. 59 on State Hwy. 71. Visit us on Facebook at: Danish Heritage
Museum, visit our web page at: www.danevangtx.org, email address:danishmuseum4@gmail.com
or call us at (979) 578-0808. Thank you. - Suzan Berndt, Museum
Director, February 05, 2015
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Equipment
of the Danevang Agricultural Co-op
TE Photo |
Danevang, Texas
Forum
I am a great
fan of Texasescapes! What a wealth of information!!!! I need to
thank you for the coverage given Danevang. It's just a small farming
community, but we're making a real effort to preserve the Danish
Heritage. The 6100 square foot Museum is now open.... The cemetery
is truly historic ... - Al Jensen, January 05, 2002
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Texas
Escapes,
in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing Texas,
asks that anyone wishing to share their local history and vintage/historic
photos, please contact
us.
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