Most People Have No Idea Just How Unique This Village In Iowa Truly Is
By Meg Archer|Published March 02, 2017
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Meg Archer
Author
Meg Archer is a Portland, Oregon-based Editor & Social Media Manager with degrees in English/Creative Writing from Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo and Social Psychology from Portland State University. She has held positions in writing, editing, and media-related fields for over 10 years, including serving as the Editor-in-Chief for Cal Poly’s literary journal Byzantium and copywriting for advertising/marketing agencies before joining Only In You State team in 2015. When she’s not writing or out exploring the West Coast, Meg enjoys working on visual media projects, speaking as a mental health advocate, and can always be found in the front row at Portland Timbers matches.
Iowa has dozens charming small towns scattered across our beautiful state, but Elk Horn and Kimballton are truly unique. These tiny little twin towns were modeled entirely after a traditional Danish village, down to an authentic Danish windmill.
And when we say authentic, we mean it… this windmill was constructed in Norre Snede, Denmark, disassembled and shipped to Elk Horn in 1976, and reconstructed by more than 300 volunteers. It’s the only one of its kind in America!
Although Elk Horn has a population of just over 650 permanent residents and Kimballton has a mere 320, this little enclave is the largest rural Danish village in the entire country!
Elk Horn is home to the Museum of Danish America, where you can learn all about the history of the Danish culture as it blossomed with early immigrants and developed into the rich heritage of the Midwest.
If you have Danish roots, there is a very cool research library dedicated to the ancestry and genealogy - you may just learn something new about your family history in their collection!
The Museum of Danish America also operates the amazing Bedstemor’s Hus, a restored Danish home originally built in 1908 and added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Danish culture runs deep here; the community is proud of its ancestry and celebrates many authentic traditions, and you may even hear residents conversing in Danish!
Folk dances and celebrations like the annual Tivoli Fest pay homage to the heritage, arts, and - our personal favorite - Danish cuisine. The 2017 Tivoli Fest will be held on Memorial Day weekend from May 26th-28th.
Another awesome festival you definitely don’t want to miss is Julefest, the weekend-long Christmas celebration featuring the unique holiday traditions of Denmark. You’ll find a lovely little holiday market, spirited singing and dancing, and some seasonal delicacies that you just won’t find anywhere else!
Although you may need help pronouncing their names, traditional Danish dishes like smorrebrod, aebleskiver, and medisterpolse are absolutely delicious and served throughout the villages!
Elk Horn and Kimballton are the perfect place to go for a mini-getaway that makes it feel like you’ve traveled around the world… without even leaving the state!
