Object Record
Images
Metadata
Accession number |
1995.157 |
Object Identification Number |
1995.157.003a |
Object Name |
Napkin |
Donor |
Hellman, Richard |
Description |
Napkin. One in set of four matching napkins (1995.157.003a-d). Made from white linen and square in shape. Blue crocheted edging. One corner decorated with blue and white floral embroidery. The embroidery is within a roughly teardrop shape and features one five-petaled flower with six leaves. |
Dimensions |
W-10.25 L-10.75 inches |
Made By |
Hellman, Karen Kristine (née Fuglsang) |
Creation Date |
c. 1920s-1940s |
Place Of Origin |
USA/Iowa/Atlantic |
Owned By |
Hellman, Karen Kristine (née Fuglsang) |
Used By |
Hellman, Karen Kristine (née Fuglsang) |
Material |
linen |
Associated People |
Hellman, Karen Kristine Hellman, Karen Kristine (née Fuglsang) Hellman, Richard |
Search Terms |
Hellman, Karen Kristine Hellman, Richard napkin Atlantic Iowa Hellman, Karen Kristine (née Fuglsang) crochet embroidery needlework handwork flower floral |
Provenance |
These napkins were made by and used by the donor's mother, Karen Kristine (née Fuglsang) Hellman of Atlantic, Iowa. The donor dated the napkins from the 1920s to the 1940s. Karen Kristine (née Fuglsang) Hellman was born 3 March 1896 near the village of Thorshoj, Jutland, Denmark to Niels Fuglsang and Eline Jensen. Her father Niels was a a miller and had a large windmill for grinding grain. Karen had one sister, Magda, and three brothers, Peter, Karl and Christian. Two of her brothers immigrated to the United States and settled in Iowa. Peter settled in Des Moines and Christian settled in Atlantic. Magda and Karl remained in Denmark. Just prior to her 18th birthday, Karen immigrated to Atlantic in March of 1914. She quickly found work as a housemaid and in the 1920 census she was listed as boarding with the John H. Peacock family. Karen met her future husband, another Danish immigrant named Peter Hellman, also living in Atlantic. Rasmus Peter Hellmann Rasmussen was born on a farm near Mern, Denmark, on 15 September 1888. Peter changed his name several times in his life. In 1909, Peter officially changed his name to Rasmus Peter Hellmann, and eventually he anglicized his name to Peter Hellman. At the age of 23, Peter was called to serve in the Danish Navy from April to September of 1911. He also worked at a diesel motor company in Lolland, Denmark. Peter immigrated to the United States on the ship Frederick VIII, arriving in New York City on 22 July 1914. After a visit with his great-uncle in Minnesota, Peter settled in Atlantic, Iowa and worked as a machinist and welder for Cushing Machine and Auto Company. Peter and Karen corresponded while Peter served in the Army during WWI. Peter established the Atlantic Machine and Auto Company during 1919 with an American partner, and later became the sole owner. Peter and Karen were married on 20 March 1920. The couple had three children: Elaine, Harold and Richard. Karen continued to correspond with her family and Peter's family back in Denmark. She even forged a friendship between her sister Magda and Peter's two sisters. After WWII, Karen mailed Magda food and clothing. In 1946, the Hellman family moved to a larger home so they could have local teachers as boarders. Karen enjoyed both the company and the income this afforded her. Sons Harold and Richard assisted part-time at their father's business. In the early 1960s, the business was turned over to Richard. Peter died in 1963. Karen died in 1971. |
Images |
034\1995157003a.JPG |
Date Received by Museum |
07/29/1995 |