Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object Name |
Trunk |
Source |
Museum of Danish America |
Iowa History Era Tag |
Statewide Settlement (1869-1896) |
Chronological Tag |
The Development of the Industrial United States (1870-1900) |
Catalog Number |
2018.048.009 |
Credit line |
Museum of Danish America - Elk Horn, Iowa |
Description |
This trunk was used by by Peter Oertz, who immigrated from Denmark to Cedar Falls, Iowa, in the late 1870s. Like many other immigrants, Oertz had to fit all of his belongings into this trunk. Content can be used with the following standards: 3rd grade SS 3.27 Immigration and Migration in a lesson on Danish immigrant in Iowa and their contributions to the state. For any use other than instructional resources, please check with the organization that owns this item regarding copyright restrictions. |
Additional Research & Sources |
Beginning in 1840 to the time of WWI, nearly 300,000 Danes immigrated to the United States from their home country in hopes of finding opportunity and work. The Homestead of 1862 convinced many immigrants to head to the Midwest due to their experience in farming. With some settling in Illnois, Indiana and Wisconsin, new railways allowed people to continue on to and settle in states such as Iowa and Nebraska. A large number settled in Southwest Iowa as the landscape reminded them of their home. The towns of Kimballton, Clay, Sharon and Elkhorn soon became the new home to a large number of Danish immigrants, with the 1895 Census showing Danes as 64.5% of the population in Clay (including Elk Horn) and 89.9% in Sharon (including Kimballton). |
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 |
Primary/Secondary Source |
Significant - Local |
County Tag |
Black Hawk |
People |
Oertz, Peter |
Multimedia Links |
Click here to view/hear the file. Click here to view/hear the file. |
Search Terms |
Immigrants Denmark Luggage |
Legal Status |
Ownership of this resource is held by the Museum of Danish America 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. |
