Danevang Texas, Wharton County Danish community. (original) (raw)
History in a Pecan Shell
Danevang (Danish Meadow or Fields) come into being in 1894. A group of Danes who had already been in the U.S. formed the nucleus. They were joined by others who arrived directly from Denmark. The land was acquired by the Danish People's Society and the Lutheran Church was its anchor and support.
The Danevang Post Office was started in 1895. The hardships of life in Texas drove some of the settlers to California where they formed another colony, which prospers today as a tourist attraction.
On the church lawn stands a short obelisk which has a chronicle of the community's triumphs and tragedies engraved on it.
The cemetery tombstones are nearly 100% Danish surnames. Some of the stones have the Danish birthplaces engraved on them.
The school taught classes both in English and Danish, but they also had language instruction in Danish during the summer months. They had their own community library and formed several cooperatives which remain in place today.
The community still keeps weather statistics for the weather bureau. There have been only 7 recorders since the records started being kept in 1896.
Danevang, Texas Attraction
The Danish Heritage Museum
The Danish Heritage Museum is housed in a building constructed very much like those built by the early settlers and includes features reminiscent of the barns of Denmark. Of course, the roof is red. The Museum houses artifacts of the early Danish settlement and contains exhibits relating to the Viking culture, as well as exhibits pertaining to the agriculture of the area, weather observation and the historic Danevang church and cemetery.
From covered wagons to iron wheeled tractors, the Danish Heritage Preservation Society has collected restored farm implements used by early Danevang settlers and farmers.
The early settler's 1898 Pioneer House was moved to the museum site in 1993. It has been restored to its original configuration and reflects the lifestyle of the early Danish pioneers.The furnishings and fixtures,of the early 1900's era, depict the heritage and craftsmanship of the Danish Culture.
Museum Hours are Tuesday - Saturday 1PM - 4PM. We are located at 153 County Road 426, at State Highway 71, 11 miles southeast of U.S. Hwy. 59 on State Hwy. 71. Visit us on Facebook at: Danish Heritage Museum, visit our web page at: www.danevangtx.org, email address:danishmuseum4@gmail.com or call us at (979) 578-0808. Thank you. - Suzan Berndt, Museum Director, February 05, 2015
Danevang post office
TE photo, 6-01
The Danish Lutheran Church with History Obelisk
TE photo, 6-01
One of the older tombstones in the Cemetery
TE photo, 6-01
A representative farmhouse of the Danish settlers in Danevang
TE photo, 1999
The weathervane on the Danish Heritage Museum, combines a symbol of their Viking Heritage with the community's fondness for weather observing.
TE photo, 6-01
Equipment of the Danevang Agricultural Co-op
TE photo, 6-01
For the interesting story of one extraordinary Danish immigrant (but not from Danevang) see The Esperson Building.
Danevang, Texas Forum
- I am a great fan of Texasescapes! What a wealth of information!!!! I need to thank you for the coverage given Danevang. It's just a small farming community, but we're making a real effort to preserve the Danish Heritage. The 6100 square foot Museum is now open.... The cemetery is truly historic ... - Al Jensen, January 05, 2002
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