Archive Record
Images
Metadata
Object Identification Number |
1990.060.204 |
Object Name |
Card, Greeting |
Donor |
Bedstemors, Inc. |
Scope / Description |
The greeting card is rectangular in shape and vertically oriented with a border of gold peaks outlined in white. The inner border has three thin gold lines. In each corner is an identical filigree element. A banner across the bottom edge of the card, with a gold border and a scalloped left and right edge, has printed in the center: "Hjerrelig Lykønskning". The background of the card is off-white. There is a printed wreath of light green foliage in the center of the card. A strip of thick paper is inserted inside the card, between the front and back pieces of paper, and sticks out slightly beyond the bottom edge of the card. The middle strip is attached to a flat floral wreath in the shape of an oval. A girl in a pink dress and a brown hat is peering out from behind the left side of the wreath. A pink rose printed on the paper extends outward from the front of the bottom of the wreath. A boy printed on paper is adhered to the top of the rose and he holds a brown cake on a plate. When the strip of paper at the bottom edge of the card is pulled downward, the wreath, rose, and boy rise upward to become perpendicular to the card surface. Dimensions: L (2.875in.) x W (4.375in.) Provenance: This item was one of the furnishings provided to Bedstemors House during its restoration in the 1980s. HOUSE HISTORY Bedstemors Hus, or Grandmother's House, was built in 1908 by Jenss Otto Christiansen, a Danish immigrant and Elk Horn businessman. He was often referred to as "Prince Otto" because he wore a coat with tails and a tall hat when going to church, and he walked very straight. According to local stories, he built the house as an engagement gift for a young woman who sadly turned down his marriage proposal. It is unknown if Christiansen ever lived in the home himself, but he rented the home to several families until he sold it to the Salem Old People's Home in 1933 for "one dollar and other valuable contributions." In 1946, the house was sold to Meta Mortensen, also of Danish descent. She lived in the home for 36 years, making only a few notable changes. The roses that she planted along all four sides of the house still bloom. In 1982, Meta sold the house to the Elk Horn-Kimballton Arts and Recreation Council for $8800. The Council and many area volunteers spent a year restoring the home to reflect the turn of the century. They named it "Bedstemor's House", using the Danish word for "Grandmother", in honor of Meta Mortensen who was herself a Danish-American grandmother. The House opened to the public in July of 1983, and a formal dedication was held October 1. Meta Mortensen was the guest of honor. It was after 1983 that the front porch was reconstructed and the exterior of the home was repainted from the white that Meta had had to the original two-tone green. The only modern room was just off the kitchen. Formerly Meta's bedroom, the room became the office for staff and has remained as such. The Council operated the house for seven years until it was donated to the Museum in 1990. Minutes from the Board of Directors meeting in February that year show that the donation was accepted for the Museum. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 16, 1997. The Museum continues to operate Bedstemor's House as an historic house museum, interpreting the home in its first decade. The home is located at 2105 College Street in Elk Horn on its original foundation. On June 25, 2008, the Museum held a dedication for the new tombstone for Jens Otto Christiansen who had not had a formal stone until then. It marked the centennial of the house. The ceremony was held at the Elk Horn Cemetery and a reception at Bedstemors House followed. |
Language of Material |
Danish |
Search Terms |
card greeting card Hjerrelig Lykønskning |
Date Received by Museum |
1990 |
Images |
163\1990060204.JPG |
Accession number |
1990.060 |