Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object Name |
Skirt |
Source |
Grout Museum District |
Iowa History Era Tag |
Statewide Settlement (1869-1896) |
Chronological Tag |
The Emergence of Modern America (1890-1930) |
Catalog Number |
2018.038.009 |
Credit line |
Grout Museum District - Waterloo, Iowa |
Description |
Maren Christensen wore this wool skirt on her 1890 voyage to the United States. The skirt was made from the wool of sheep that her own family raised, and it was carded, dyed and woven into fabric by Maren's mother. The skirt was meant to keep Maren warm during her long voyage. After her voyage, Maren arrived in New York and was processed at Ellis Island. She then traveled by train from New Jersey to Waterloo, Iowa, where she knew other Danish immigrants had settled. After arriving in Waterloo, she met a man named Mr. Jensen and lived with his family for a year as she learned English and got settled. In 1901 Maren married Jens Oleson, another Danish immigrant who lived in Waterloo. The couple had two children. In 1921 Jens Oleson and his son, J. Peter Oleson, founded Jens Oleson & Sons Construction Company. Both Maren and Jens Oleson are buried in Waterloo. Content can be used with the following standards: 3rd grade SS 3.27 Immigration and Migration in a lesson on immigrants to Iowa and the early settlers of the Waterloo area. For any use other than instructional resources, please check with the organization that owns this item regarding copyright restrictions. |
Additional Research & Sources |
Ellis Island, located in the New York Harbor, was the gateway many immigrants during the late 19th century (1855-1890) arrived through to America. Nearly 8 million immigrants from mainly Northern and Western Europe passed through the immigration station and underwent medical and financial/legal checks before allowed admittance into the country. The inspection typically lasted from three to five hours. |
Notes on Related Objects |
Object is related to the following library resources, which can be found by searching the catalog number in the advanced search section: Catalog #: 2018.045.028 Crossroads on the Cedar: A Story of Two . Cities 2018.045.078 The Middle West in American History 2018.045.138- History of Iowa from the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century 2018.045.184- Iowa: The Pioneer Heritage |
Primary/Secondary Source |
Significant - State/National |
County Tag |
Black Hawk |
People |
Christensen, Maren Olesen, Jens |
Relation |
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Multimedia Links |
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Search Terms |
Immigrants Settlers/Pioneers Business & Industry Clothing & dress Wool Sheep Ellis Island Business & finance Construction |
Legal Status |
Ownership of this resource is held by the Grout Museum District and has been provided here for educational purposes only, specifically for use in the Iowa Museum Association's "Teaching Iowa History" project. It may not be downloaded, reproduced or distributed in any format without written permission from the Rights Holder. For information on U.S. and International copyright laws, consult an attorney. |
