Photo Record
Images
Metadata
Object Identification Number |
1990.060.308 |
Object Name |
Postcard, Photographic |
Donor |
Bedstemors, Inc. |
Description |
The front of the postcard is horizontally oriented and has a color illustration of St. Francis Hospital in Grand Island, Nebraska. The building is red, five stories, and is viewed from an angle so that the front and proper left side are visible. The building is situated on a corner and surrounded by grass. It is surrounded by trees on the proper left side. Printed in red in the upper right corner is: "St. Francis Hospital, Grand Island Nebr." On the back of the postcard, "Post Card" is printed in red along the top edge near the upper right corner. In the upper right corner is a stamp with a red etching of George Washington's head in profile. Above his head reads, "U.S. POSTAGE", and below reads, "2 Cents 2". The black stamped postmark reads: "DANNEBROG / JUL 17 / 8 AM / 1920 / NEBR". Written vertically down the center of the back is "SEXICHROME", with an undulating line on either side. There are numerous lines of Danish text written vertically on the left half of the back. The address on the right half reads: "Mr. Sigurd Lykke / Kimballton / Iowa." |
Print Size |
5.375in. x 3.428in. |
Creation Date |
1920 |
Place of Creation |
USA/Nebraska/Grand Island |
Associated People |
Lykke, Sigurd |
Search Terms |
photographic postcard photograph postcard St. Francis Hospital Grand Island Nebraska Dannebrog Kimballton Lykke, Sigurd |
Date Received by Museum |
1990 |
Provenance |
The postcard was sent on July 17, 1920, to Sigurd Lykke of Kimballton, Iowa. Sigurd Lykke (1887-1963) was married to Anna (Petersen) Lykke (1890-1969). They had two children: Glen Lykke and Clara (Lykke) Johnson (1912-2003). The postcard 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 |
165\1990060308.JPG |
Accession number |
1990.060 |