Library Record
Images
Metadata
Object Identification Number |
1990.060.047 |
Object Name |
Book, Song |
Donor |
Bedstemors, Inc. |
Summary / Description |
The front and back cover of this song book are orange-colored paper. The top of the front cover has a printed blue design of a rectanuglar wall with filigree designs. The opening at the center of the wall is flanked by two scrolling architectural elements on top of which sits a bird. Above the birds on either side are vines with leaves. In the center of the wall opening is an instrument with three strings. On top of this entire design is the title of the book: "WILHELM HANSENS / 50ØRS / BIBLIOTHEK". On the left side of the front cover is a printed drawing of a scroll, palm fronds, and an instrument tied together with a ribbon whose curling ends hang down to the bottom of the drawing. Across the scroll is printed "ALBUMS / POPULÆR / MUSIK". Across the remainder of the front cover is printed a three-column list of albums numbered 1 through 100. The name "Helena Nelsen" is handwritten in ink on the upper right corner of the publication page. The publication page identifies the song book as "Nr.1. / Folkevise-Album. / (Nr.1. (Svenske)". At the top of the back cover of the book is printed in black: "Wilhelm Hansens / 50ør.s Bibliothek". Below the title on the back is a list of albums numbered 101 through 145. Inside the book are nineteen pages of sheet music of popular Danish songs. Dimensions: L (13.625in.) x W (10.750in.) Provenance: The song book was owned and donated by the Pete Jessen family (Virginia Kratz). It 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 Jens 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 |
Title |
Wilhelm Hansens 50ør.s Bibliothek |
Publisher |
Wilhelm Hansen |
Publication Place |
Denmark/Copenhagen and Germany/Leipzig |
Associated People |
Hansen, Wilhelm Jessen, Pete Kratz, Virginia |
Search Terms |
song book sheet music Hansen, Wilhelm Jessen, Pete Kratz, Virginia Denmark Copenhagen Germany Leipzig |
Date Received by the Museum |
1990 |
Provenance |
The song book was owned and donated by the Pete Jessen family (Virginia Kratz). It 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 Jens 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. |
Images |
158\1990060047a.JPG |
Accession number |
1990.060 |