Rededication of The Danes Hall By Annette Lind, Lodge 15 Milwaukee, WI Despite threats of snow and possible difficult driving conditions, seventeen representatives of Lodge #15 Milwaukee, one of Lodge #20 Kenosha and two representatives of Lodge #4 Chicago travelled to Waupaca, Wisconsin on November 30 to attend the re-dedication of Danes Hall. An article on Danes Hall appeared in 2018 in the National Sisterhood News. You can also read more about the history on the following Internet page: www.daneshallwaupaca. com by selecting About Danes Hall. The following is quoted from that internet site. “The Danes Home (De Danske Hjem) was the first lodge to organize for social and literary purposes. In 1882 it incorporated under the laws of Wisconsin. The constitution and bylaws were adopted and the name “The Danes Home” was formally adopted. The bylaws provided that all males born to Danish parents, 18 years of age, or older, who were able to read and speak the Danish language, would be eligible for membership…. Construction of this three story brick building began in August of 1894 and the building was completed on November 22, 1894. The total cost of the new building was $7,000. The Dedication ceremonies took place on November 29, 1894 with about 400 people in attendance.” In August of 2016 Michael Koehler and his brothers formed the Danes Hall LLC and bought the Danes Hall in Waupaca which had been sitting empty. And so began the journey to the fabulous day in which 20 members and friends of the Danish Sisterhood of America joined in the celebration and rededication of Danes Hall. Michael Koehler and his family have brought the building back to life. With the help of our member Marcia Jante and her enthusiasm for this project, our lodge has become well- known to the Koehlers. For this event our members made over 200 Danish heart baskets, enough to decorate one of the Christmas trees in Danes Hall and to present each dinner attendee with a little piece of a Danish Christmas to take home. Susan Jensen and Ruth Ann Higgins demonstrated/taught the making of heart baskets to those attending the afternoon open house. Beginning at 1:00 pm. on November 30, 2019 the 125 Year Rededication of Danes Hall of Waupaca began in the beautifully restored ball room Danish Sisterhood News, May 2020
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on the second floor. The master of ceremonies, Bill Clarke the General Manager of Danes Hall introduced Michael Koehler. Mr. Koehler talked about his family and other Danes who had dreams of a new homeland and a new life. They and thousands of other immigrants came to the United States. He talked about the first dedication which started at 9:00 pm (Dairy farmers had to get their work done) and continued until 2:00 a.m. Over the years many area residents met their wives and husbands at dances at Danes Hall. As the largest venue in Waupaca for many years, a lot of celebrations were held at the hall. Koehler said his great great grandmother celebrated her 90th birthday there. It was at Danes Hall that Danish ministers met in 1872 for a meeting that would ultimately decide the future of the Danish Church in America. Reverend Fredrick Lang Grundtvig, the son of N.F.S. Grundtvig, and Reverend Peter Sorenson Vig both attended meetings at Danes Hall. Michael Koehler introduced a special guest at the Rededication, the great granddaughter of Reverend Peter Sorenson Vig and current member of Lodge #4 in Chicago, Karen Vig-Keathley. Koehler traced briefly the history of Danes Hall up to the present. He said “ In 2015 the building was standing idle, it stood waiting for ‘US’.” When tKoehler bought the building, he remembered going back to his wife at their home in Illinois. She asked him, “What Karen Vig-Keathley, Lodge #4 and Michael are you Koehler