This is a photograph of the 1917-1918 class of the Elk Horn Folk School in Elk Horn, Iowa. Folk schools like the one in Elk Horn helped maintain Danish cultural traditions. The idea for Danish folk schools came in Denmark in the 1830s from Bishop N.F.S. Grundtvig. There was a strong religious undercurrent at these schools, but the most important subjects were history, literature, Norse mythology, mathematics, physics, geography, singing, and gymnastics. These were all taught in the Danish language, but they also offered courses in English. There were no credits, graduations, or degrees because this was an "education for life" and not for a particular profession. About 10,000 to 12,000 Danish Americans attended Danish folk schools in the United States and Canada. Content can be used with the following standards: 3rd grade SS 3.27 Immigration and Migration in a lesson on Danish immigrants in Iowa and their contribution to the state. For any use other than instructional resources, please check with the organization that owns this item regarding copyright restrictions.
2018.048.007 [Print, Photographic]
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Ownership of this resource is held by the Museum of Danish America and has been provided here for educational purposes only, specifically for use in the Iowa Museum Association's "Teaching Iowa History" project. It may not be downloaded, reproduced or distributed in any format without written permission from the Rights Holder. For information on U.S. and International copyright laws, consult an attorney.