Danish Brotherhood in America
Encyclopedia
Danish Brotherhood in America is a fraternal organization that was founded in 1882 in Omaha
, Nebraska
. It has about 8,000 members in 2010. A period report said of the Danish Brotherhood, "This is by far the strongest and most influential secular organization about the Danes in America."
landed in the United States and Canada in the 1870s. Founded in Omaha in the 1870s, Danske Vaabenbrodre, or Danish Brothers in Arms, was among the first fraternal organizations
founded in North America. An organization for Danish veterans, this organization emphasized the experiences military service members had in common.
In 1881, it was proposed that those local groups join together in a national organization. Five other Danish veteran groups agreed to unite, and they planned the first convention of the new group for 1882. The members there founded The Danish Brotherhood with the purpose of reaching out to "honorable men, born of Danish parents or who were of Danish extraction." The new Danish Brotherhood in America conducted social activities, nurture the use of the Danish language and songs, and provided financial help to their members with survivor's insurance and sickness and death benefits. The Brotherhood grew rapidly, with 200 members in six lodges the first year, and 41 lodges with 2,000 members by the tenth. By 1925, the Danish Brotherhood in America had 21,000 members.
The organization merged into Woodmen of the World
in August of 1995.
Omaha
Omaha may refer to:*Omaha , a Native American tribe that currently resides in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of Nebraska-Places:United States* Omaha, Nebraska* Omaha, Arkansas* Omaha, Georgia* Omaha, Illinois* Omaha, Texas...
, Nebraska
Nebraska
Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
. It has about 8,000 members in 2010. A period report said of the Danish Brotherhood, "This is by far the strongest and most influential secular organization about the Danes in America."
History
Thousands of immigrants from DenmarkDenmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
landed in the United States and Canada in the 1870s. Founded in Omaha in the 1870s, Danske Vaabenbrodre, or Danish Brothers in Arms, was among the first fraternal organizations
Fraternity
A fraternity is a brotherhood, though the term usually connotes a distinct or formal organization. An organization referred to as a fraternity may be a:*Secret society*Chivalric order*Benefit society*Friendly society*Social club*Trade union...
founded in North America. An organization for Danish veterans, this organization emphasized the experiences military service members had in common.
In 1881, it was proposed that those local groups join together in a national organization. Five other Danish veteran groups agreed to unite, and they planned the first convention of the new group for 1882. The members there founded The Danish Brotherhood with the purpose of reaching out to "honorable men, born of Danish parents or who were of Danish extraction." The new Danish Brotherhood in America conducted social activities, nurture the use of the Danish language and songs, and provided financial help to their members with survivor's insurance and sickness and death benefits. The Brotherhood grew rapidly, with 200 members in six lodges the first year, and 41 lodges with 2,000 members by the tenth. By 1925, the Danish Brotherhood in America had 21,000 members.
The organization merged into Woodmen of the World
Woodmen of the World
Woodmen of the World is a fraternal organization based in Omaha, Nebraska, United States, that operates a large privately held insurance company for its members....
in August of 1995.
Notable buildings
Notable buildings of the group include:- Washington Hall (Seattle, Washington)Washington Hall (Seattle, Washington)Washington Hall is a historic building and a registered city landmark in Seattle, Washington. It was originally built as a community center by the Danish Brotherhood in America, a fraternal organization, with meeting halls and one-room apartments for new immigrants...
, built in 1908, renovated in 2010 - Columbia HallColumbia Hall (Dannebrog, Nebraska)Columbia Hall, also known as NEHBS #HW04-056, is an historic building located in Dannebrog, Nebraska, United States that was built in 1908. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on July 22, 2005...
, in Dannebrog, NebraskaDannebrog, NebraskaDannebrog is a village in Howard County, Nebraska, United States. It is part of the Grand Island, Nebraska Micropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 352 at the 2000 census...
, also built in 1908 - Danes HallDanes HallThe Danes Hall in Waupaca, Wisconsin was built in 1894 as a gathering place for the Danish Brotherhood in America. It served historically as a clubhouse, as a meeting hall, and as an auditorium. The upper floor consists of a dance hall with a balcony...
, 303 N. Main St., Waupaca, Wisconsin, built in 1894, NRHP-listed, also known as De Danskes Hjem
Further reading
- Denmark our heritage, America our home, Danish Brotherhood in America. 1981. (Available at Danish American Archive & Library - Dana CollegeDana CollegeDana College is a now defunct baccalaureate college located in Blair, Nebraska. Its rural 150-acre campus is approximately 25 miles northwest of Omaha, and overlooks a portion of the Missouri River Valley....
) - Danish Brotherhood in America twentieth national convention. Ohio History Central.