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Scandinavian Lecture Series: Danish Colony in California, Solvang 1911-2014

Erik Gregersen presents work by Esther Jacobsen Bates

Scandinavian Lecture Series: Danish Colony in California, Solvang 1911-2014

The Danish-American colony of Solvang, which means “sunny field,” was founded in 1911. After an extensive search, a group of Danish educators purchased nearly 9,000 acres in the Santa Ynez Valley, part of an original Mexican land grant. It was an ideal location with fertile land, a flowing river, oak-dotted hills and a mild climate. Followers of a folk school movement in Denmark, they strove to preserve their culture while assimilating into their new home in the West. Settlers donated land for a permanent folk school, and in 1914 Atterdag College (translated “there’ll be another day”) was built on a hill overlooking town.

Solvang grew quickly and prospered as Danish entrepreneurs supplied the growing community with goods and services. Young Danish Americans were taught in English and Danish. In the 1940s and 1950s, tourists began arriving, and the town’s outward appearance transformed to display the cultural roots of its residents. Wild, open rangeland with grazing cattle and sheep gave way to dry farming and dairies and to the irrigated fields of today, including vast vineyards and horse ranches.

In an illustrated presentation, Erik Gregersen, a board member of the Elverhøj Museum of History and Art and grandson of one of the founders of Solvang, will describe the history and development of Solvang from its early days to the popular destination of today. Gregersen will be presenting work by Esther Jacobsen Bates, executive director of the Elverhøj Museum.

Admission is free.

 

 

Sponsored By
Scandinavian American Cultural and Historical Foundation and CLU History Department

Contact

Howard Rockstad
805-497-3717

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