Danish Sisterhood News November 2018

News

Danish Sisterhood

In this Issue:

Lodge Updates Castle Gardens

Serving the Danish Sisterhood of America since 1947

November 2018

Lodge Leaders DSS Butikken

President’s Corner

News

Danish Sisterhood

www.danishsisterhood.com

Honorary Member Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II of Denmark

Volume 71, Number 11

Published by the Supreme Lodge of the Danish Sisterhood of America, (Dansk Søster Samfund) as its Official Publication.

DANISH SISTERHOOD NEWS (USPS 148-200) is published monthly by the Supreme Lodge of the Danish Sisterhood of America. Office of publication at 1555 Oak St. Solvang, CA 93463. Periodicals Postage Paid at Rochester, MN.

Sindy Mikkelsen, National President It’s really very difficult to believe it’s already time to start seriously working on the National Convention for 2019. One year away, and so much to do!

Thank you to all the lodges that sent in your Delegate and Alternate information so quickly, and to those that asked questions to avoid problems down the road. So very appreciated!!!

The next step for lodges is to form a Bylaw Committee so that proposals for change to the constitution can be submitted from your lodge. You will find the section of the Constitution that addresses the subject of proposals, and the role of this committee, on page 10 (Article VI, Convention, Section 2. Delegates, F. Amendments to the Bylaws 1-3).

You should have received a copy of the proposal form from our National Secretary. This form may be copied as many times as necessary, and your proposal for changes are to be submitted using that form.

Throughout the term we receive questions and concerns about issues within the Constitution that members don’t think apply today, or should be changed to make things “easier” for members or lodges. This is now your opportunity to suggest those changes. By the time you read this we will have completed our Fall Board meeting, and we too (National officers) will have gone through the constitution page by page, and will make recommendations as well.

Combining the Boards recommendations and those of the lodges, a complete package will then be mailed off to the Delegate from your lodge. It is your Delegates duty to get the direction of your lodge on how she or he should vote at the National Convention on these proposals. Being the Delegate means you will work for your lodge, to be the voice of that lodge, and making changes for the betterment of the organization. As a Delegate, you are the voice of your lodge for 4 years (from one convention to the next). Please don’t take the responsibility lightly, be prepared, and then plan to enjoy yourself!

There will be a lot of information coming out over the next year, so be sure and keep up on the Sisterhood News!

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to DANISH SISTERHOOD NEWS, 1555 Oak St. Solvang, CA 93463 Editor: Lauren C. Nielsen (507) 206-9099

Articles for publication in the Danish Sisterhood News must arrive to the Editor no later than the 1st day of each month previous to publication.

Subscription: Members $12 (US) Non-Members $20 (US) Officers of the Supreme Lodge National President: Sindy Mikkelsen, Lodge #126 2938 Sweet Grass Lane, Santa Rosa, CA 95407 (707) 755-0260 president@danishsisterhood.com National Vice President & Website: Julie Morrison #126 2368 Hood Ct, Santa Rosa, CA 95401 (707) 360-8377 vicepresident@danishsisterhood.com National Secretary: Glenda Madrid, Lodge #177 1557 Oak St. Solvang, CA 93463 (805) 448-7631 secretary@danishsisterhood.com glenda_madrid@hotmail.com National Treasurer: Carol Faruolo, Lodge #12 19 Fenway Street North, Milford, CT 06460 (203) 878-4924 Fax: (203) 8784924 treasurer@danishsisterhood.com dsstreasurer@gmail.com National Trustee & Butikken Chairman: Linda Holz #102 4400 EP True Pkwy Unit 47, West Des Moines, IA 50265-5615 (515) 225-0951 trustee1@danishsisterhood.com National Trustee & Scholarship Chairman: Christina Sallee #81 16116 SW Deline Ct, Beaverton, OR 97007-3425 (503) 848-0837 trustee2@danishsisterhood.com National Trustee, Membership Chairman & Tivoli Lodge Liaison: Karin S. Wasler #68 814 S Sherbourne Dr #7, Los Angeles, CA 90035 (310) 903-8837 trustee3@danishsisterhood.com National Past President: Lizette Burtis, Lodge #24 1462 Trombetta Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95407 (707) 545-6023 lburtis@sbcglobal.net

Respectfully, Sindy Mikkelsen Danish Sisterhood News, November 2018

Email: editor@danishsisterhood.com

National Historian: Amy Larsen 2611 E 221 St Place, Carson, CA 90810 (714) 488-9515 Larsen_amy@att.net

Copyright 1946-2018 by the Supreme Lodge of the Danish Sisterhood of America, All Rights Reserved.

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Velkommen

Lauren C. Nielsen, Editor

Dear Sisters, Have you ever tried to describe a Danish word or food or custom to someone who is not Danish and to only some success? I find myself doing this fairly often as being of Danish descent is central to who I am. Sometimes it can be difficult to describe hygge, or aebleskiver or other Danish traditions. So what do we do when words fail us?

We put our words into action and invite those not in the know to discover, learn, and enjoy the Danish experience.

As Denmark is quite a small country compared to most in Europe and around the world, not many people know about things that are Danish. I, myself, am still learning plenty about Denmark and my Danish heritage. The last time I was in Denmark, in 2015, I absolutely loved having my cousins show me around, tell me about different traditions and landmarks, and share how to cook some traditional Danish family recipes. It is through experience that we in the Danish community learn and how we share what we have learned with others.

I hope that each of you take a few moments out of your day to share your Danish heritage and culture with someone who may not be in the know! Tell a friend a story about Denmark, make a Danish meal for a group, go to your Danish Sisterhood meeting and share something unique about your family’s Danish heritage! There is so much out there to share and to love about Denmark–let’s be sure to spread that love around!

Until next time...

Lauren C. Nielsen, Editor

In this Issue President’s Corner............................p 2, 4 Editor’s Welcome.................................p 3 Lodge Updates..................................p 4-7 Castle Garden..................................p 8-12 Butikken ...................................... ..p13-14 Resolution.................p15

Youth Birthdays Happy November Birthday to: Names Julia Barba

Lodge 4

Age 13

On the Cover Title: Nyhavn Location: Copenhagen, August 2018 Photographer: Joan Larsen Spiller Known by its colorful buildings lining the harbor in Copenhagen, Nyhavn is one of the most iconic places in Denmark. Originally, Nyhavn was a commercial area of the city, filled with fishermen and sailors as well as pubs and ale houses. Now, Nyhavn is filled with restaurants, music, and people enjoying a relaxing afternoon.

Fun fact: Hans Christian Andersen used to live in building No. 20 on Nyhavn!

Submit Your Cover Photo!

Do you have a photo that you’d like to see on the cover of the Danish Sisterhood News? Send in your submissions and yours could be featured next!

Photographs must be high resolution and should be accompanied by a short description of the photo’s content. Photos from Danish events, Sisterhood meetings, travels around Denmark, Danish culture and more are all great topics.

Send photos to: editor@danishsisterhood.com 3

Danish Sisterhood News, November 2018

Holiday Greetings from Katherine Lodge #20 Hello sisters! What a wonderful whirlwind this year has been. It is so hard to believe that I am sitting here writing the final article for 2018.

October was a busy month for our lodge. We held elections and made some big changes!

We held elections for the positions of Secretary, Treasurer, 2nd Trustee, and Guard. Anna Nielsen was re-elected to a second term as our secretary and Marge Orth was re-elected to a third term as our Treasurer. We welcomed Gitte Stupar to the board in the position of 2nd Trustee and Vita Andersen was elected Guard for another term as well!

It has been decided by our lodge to move all of our meetings to evenings and weekends with the hope that many of our working members will be able to attend a meeting or two! We are also in the process of creating a carpool contact list. If you are unable to drive to a meeting, but want to attend you simply need to contact Mary Lou or Anna Nielsen and we can get a ride set up for you!

Our November meeting truly embraced hygge. We all gathered at the home of Mary Lou Nielsen on November 14 for coffee and card making. Sisters were able to create a variety of different holiday cards to take home or send to our homebound and out of state sisters. This was the perfect way to get us into the holiday spirit.

Coming up: Our Christmas Luncheon will be held January 12 at The Boathouse 4917 – 7th Avenue,

Kenosha. Everyone is asked to gather at 11:30 AM with lunch being served at 12:00 PM. The cost is $20.00 per person. Menu choices include: Roasted Pork with Apple Nut Stuffing. This includes whipped potatoes and gravy, vegetable, tossed salad with house dressing, rolls, coffee or tea and sherbet.

Chicken Breast Divan. Boneless chicken breast topped with broccoli, Swiss cheese, baked and smothered with a rich creamy mushroom sauce, served on a bed of white rice. This includes a tossed salad with house dressing, rolls, coffee or tea, and sherbet.

Beef Tips over Egg Noodles. Served with tossed salad with house dressing, rolls, coffee or tea and sherbet.

There will be an option for vegetarians and children’s options – Call Marge for details at 262-884-0742. Please send your check with your menu choice by January 5, 2019, to: Marge Orth 6127 Prairie Circle Racine, WI 53406

I know I, as well as the rest of our members in Lodge 20 are looking forward to all that 2019 has in store for us. Until then, glædelig jul og godt nytår.

Submitted by Anna Nielsen, Secretary.

ASSESSMENT NOTICE Members: Assessment #1358, for the month of January, is due and payable to your local treasurers before January 31, 2019.

Lodge Treasurers: Assessment #1358, for the month of January, 2019 is due and payable to the Supreme Lodge of the Danish Sisterhood immediately following your January meeting.

Assessments for the year 2019 will follow in order, with the December, 2019 assessment being #1369.

Carol Faruolo, National DSS Treasurer

Danish Sisterhood News, November 2018

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Calling all Lodge Leaders! Join us for a chance to win!

We’ve created a Facebook group just for you. Because without you, we’d be, well, nothing.

If you are a lodge or district officer or a delegate from the 2015 National Convention in Denver, you’re invited to join DSS Lodge Leaders. Or, if you’re a lodge member aspiring to be a leader, you’re invited to join!

Join our new Facebook group today for exclusive access to the resources to help your lodge grow and thrive! Ask questions, share resources and have some fun with your fellow Danish Sisterhood leaders.

Be sure to join before November 30th. Why, you ask? Because we’re running a contest. Lodge leaders who join before November 15th will be entered into a contest to win one of three prizes. (Could it be a Dan-

ish Kringle? Or a book? Or a DSS T-Shirt?)

Remember, we’ll also use this group to communicate with you about our upcoming convention. Please have a member of your lodge leadership team join us.

Find us on Facebook: DSS Lodge Leaders and click on JOIN. https://www.facebook.com/groups/211882436222756/ Questions about DSS Lodge Leaders?

Ask Trustee Karin Wasler. https://www.facebook.com/karin.s.wasler Trustee3@danishsisterhood.com 310-903-8837

Princess Marie Lodge 86 Philadelphia Goes to the Theatre Sunday September 16 Princess Marie Lodge 86 attended the show Brigadoon at the Arden Dinner Theatre in Wilmington, DE. Prior to the show we enjoyed a cold and hot buffet topped off with a wide variety of desserts. After our meal we sat back and enjoyed the classical and beloved musical Brigadoon.

The Legend of Brigadoon is the story of a mythical village in the Scottish Highlands. The village became enchanted centuries ago remaining unchanged and invisible to the outside world except for one special day every hundred years when it could be seen and even visited by outsiders. The enchanted day is spent in joy and celebration. Those who happen upon Brigadoon may remain in this beguiling place only if they love another enough to give up the world outside. Visitors were even allowed to stay but if anyone left the village during the enchanted day, then the miracle would be broken and it would mean the end for them all!

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Danish Sisterhood News, November 2018

Review of Lodge 15’s October Meeting This is the fourth year that the Danish Invasion has come to Burlington. This year started out a bit of a rocky path for the students. Flights were late getting into Chicago and one of the students had trouble with his passport so he did not get to travel with the others. The good news is that he was able to join them for the Chicago and Washington D C portion of the trip.

On Friday students attended classes in Burlington. It was an exciting day to be there because it was home-coming and football is not something that happens in Denmark. Saturday was a day spent with the host families so many different activities were planned. Some traveled to Milwaukee to see some of the available sights there, some visited Madison, and one family added a visit to a Halloween Haunted Mansion to their itinerary. The student found it to be very frightening so it must have accomplished what a Haunted Mansion is supposed to do.

Sunday morning came all too soon and it was time for the group to leave for the next part of their adventure. The families gathered at the high school cafeteria for their farewells. Many friendships continued, many new friendships were formed, and many tears were shed as they left.

Two of our speakers had traveled to Denmark and all four were hoping to be selected to go with the group that will be traveling to Roskilde in April. They willingly answered all the questions that we had for them. They acknowledged that Danish is a hard language to speak so our willing member, Kirsten Weiss, volunteered to give them some lessons before the next trip.

Our lodge again donated $50.00 to this worthwhile program.

Danish Sisterhood News, November 2018

SCANFEST IN PICTURES On October 6, 2018 the 28th annual Scanfest was put on by the Nordic Council. There were some very nice changes this year including a big increase in the number of vendors.

Everyone who attended felt that it was a great event. As usual we had a food booth selling Danish hot dogs, Danish cheese sandwiches, herring, Danish bakery and best of all the hot-off-the pan aebleskiver made by “real” Danes—and a couple very talented German bakers—John Kronshage and Jay Weiss.

We also had a Danish booth put together

by Susan Jensen displaying all things Danish and this year, for the first time, teaching Danish heart baskets.

Thanks to all of you who worked so hard to make the day a success.

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Amber Lodge Brainerd, MN Summer 2018 Amber Lodge #186 had a full summer with presentations at meetings as well as participating in special events. Over the summer our Lodge met on a Monday night instead of the usual Saturday.

This seems to have helped with greater participation of members over the summer then in past years.

Our June meeting was held at Don and Nealna Gylling’s home on Gull Lake. Guests and members celebrated midsummer with a delicious potluck and bonfire. In the month of June, members Judy Anderson, Nealna Gylling, and Heidi Haase helped with the Hewitt Scandinavian Rendezvous. The Hewitt Historical Society greatly appreciated their participation as well as the delicious food that was made available by the Amber Lodge sisters at this event. Approximately 50 people were in attendance.

In July, eight sisters visited the Concordia Language Camp located in Bemidji, Minnesota.

The sisters were given an informative tour by guide Martin Graeme at the camp. Camps that were visited included Mexico, Germany, and Denmark. We appreciated the delicious lunch that included open face sandwiches that was served.

Author Candice Simar was the guest speaker at the August meeting. Some of her books are on Norwegian immigrants to Minnesota. She shared about how she does research, answered questions, and talked about many of the hardships that Scandinavian immigrants faced in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s.

The Amber Lodge sisters hosted our first Aebleskiver fundraiser in September at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Brainerd. A thank you to the many sisters who worked at this event as well as to Dottie Bisted for organizing the purchasing of the sausages and fruit that went with the aebleskivers.

It was a fun filled and full summer for the sisters of Amber Lodge. We look forward to more good food and shared times in the coming winter months in Minnesota.

Amber Lodge Summer Solstice Gathering June 2018

Amber Lodge Summer Solstice Gathering June 2018

The Hewitt Historical Society appreciated Amber Lodge being a part of the Scandinavian Rendezvous held in 2018.

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Danish Sisterhood News, November 2018

Castle Garden When most of us think of immigrants coming to the United States in the 19th and 20th century, we probably think of Ellis Island. In fact it was not until January 1, 1892 that the first immigrant made her way through Ellis Island. Her way? Yes, the first immigrant processed at Ellis Island was a woman from Ireland. Prior to that, immigrants landing in New York were processed through Castle Garden. Imagine leaving your previous life behind and landing in the United States and processed through a Castle. It sounds like paradise.

Well, it was called Castle Garden but, in fact, it was a fort built on a small artificial island just off shore from the Battery in New York City between 1808 and 1811. The intent was to have this fort called the South Battery a supplement to the West Battery on Governors Island a defense for New York City as tensions rose prior to The War of 1812. The fort never saw action. Landfill was later added and the fort became a part of Manhattan Island.

The name was changed to Castle Clinton in 1815 after New York City Mayor, Dewitt Clinton.

When the US Army stopped using the fort in 1821 it was leased to the city of New York for use as an entertainment venue and opened as Castle Garden in 1824. There was a promenade and gardens, beer garden, restaurant, exhibition hall, opera house and theater.

The old fort did not have a roof so eventually one was added. The first year it was opened Marquis d’Lafayette came back to visit the United States and a grand ball was given in his honor in Castle Garden. With the roof being added it became a concert hall—in fact the concert hall where Jenny Lind, the famous Swedish soprano, made her first appearance in America. Castle Gardens was like a resort and entertainment center on the south end of Manhattan.

However, as the city grew it was no longer a resort atmosphere and in 1855 Castle Garden became the immigrant depot for New York City. It was partly destroyed by fire on July 9, 1876, but it was rebuilt with a few changes. With the opening of Ellis Island, Castle Garden was no longer used as an Immigrant Depot. In 1892 Castle Garden Danish Sisterhood News, November 2018

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The Bay and Harbor of New York by Samuel Waugh (1814– 1885), depicting the castle in 1848. (Image via Wikipedia Images, Public Domain)

became the New York City Aquarium. It remained the aquarium until 1941.

Early Immigration In 1847 New York, in an attempt to take control of immigrants landing in their port, established the New York Commissioners of Emigration. Prior to this organization immigrants could be dropped off at any pier. There was no process. The treatment of the early immigrants was what precipitated this New York Commission. The following is a quote from Appleton’s Dictionary of New York and Vicinity published in 1883.

“The pitiable condition in which Immigrants were landed in New York, the cruelties inflicted upon them in many cases in over-crowded emigrant ships, the extortions and downright frauds practiced upon them when they were put ashore like so many cattle, and left to shift for themselves in a strange city, without language to make their wants known, began to attract the attention of humane public officers and merchants of that city at an early day. The outrages multiplied and the importance of providing some remedy grew with the rapid increase of foreign immigration which swelled from 22,633 for the whole United States in 1831 to 104,565 in 1842.”

Initially the great majority of emigrants coming to the United States were very poor. So poor they could not prepay their passage. The ship owners gave them advances, but not out of the goodness of their hearts. They made enormous profits from the sale of these impoverished people into temporary slavery. The following is

First Appearance of Jenny Lind in America, at Castle Garden, September 11, 1850 (Engraving by Currier and Ives). (Image via Wikipedia Images, Public Domain)

a quote from “The Wandering Heir” by Charles Reade.

“Whenever a vessel arrived at Philadelphia or New York, the steerage passengers were sold at public auction to the highest bidder. The country people either came themselves to purchase or sent agents. Parents sold their children, that they might remain free themselves, and families were scattered never to be reunited. Old people and widows did not sell well; while healthy parents with healthy children and youths of both sexes, always found a ready market.” If one or both parents died in route the expenses for the entire family were summed up and changed to the survivor. Adults had to serve 3 to 6 years and children until they became of age. Technically you might call these immigrants indentured servants, but in truth they were slaves.

The last of these sales took place in Philadelphia between 1818 and 1819, While that ended this ugly chapter in immigration to the United States, it did not end all of the problems of the immigrants. Accommodations on the ships remained terrible and it is written that nearly twenty out of every hundred passengers died at sea of fever or starvation. The steerage deck was usually only about 5 feet high, with no ventilation or light.

Bunks were stacked in two or three tiers.

Emigrants were expected to provide and cook their own food. Unaware of this some emigrants came aboard with no provisions and others with an insufficient amount. But even if you brought food there was very little availability of

places to cook your food. Most vessels had only two small “galleys” about 4 x 5 feet, each with one grate. It was impossible for the hundreds of people in steerage to all cook. Out of about ninety-eight thousand laborers sent from Ireland to Canada after the famine of 1846, nearly twenty-five thousand perished as a result of poor rations and defective ventilation on the ships. In 1868 one vessel, the Leibniz out of Hamburg, had over 100 passengers out of 500 die in route.

For those who survived the voyage it was not a warm welcome. Whether it was people renting boarding houses or offering to exchange money or selling passage to the West, the immigrants were cheated at every turn.

The New York Commissioners of Emigration worked to change the awful past. In 1855 they opened Castle Garden as the immigration depot for New York City. The Commissioners set up an organized system of reception and distribution of immigrants under two general departments, the landing depot at Castle Garden and the hospital and refugee department on Ward’s Island. While things did not always work as designed, the Commissioners of Emigration made a huge change in the immigrant experience.

Of course the immigrant experience began either at the port of embarkation or with travels to the port. While many Danes left from the port of Copenhagen others departed from Hamburg, especially those from the Schleswig-Holstein area of Denmark. Liverpool was also a popular port of embarkation since it took a day or two off the ocean voyage. Immigration from Denmark was quite low from 1619, when Rasmus Jensen sailed to “America” as the first Danish immigrant, until 1850 when immigration numbers began to dramatically increase.

Agents from the shipping companies spread throughout Europe selling the idea of immigration to a land where “the streets were paved with gold” and land was being almost given away to anyone with the skills to work it. There was an organized system of deception and dishonesty at all of the principle ports of emigration. People were often overcharged, contracted for inland transportation that did not exist and sometimes even sold fake tickets. One of the actions of the 9

Danish Sisterhood News, November 2018

Commission was to work with the federal government to issue circulars to their consulates asking them to call attention to these deceptive practices. This helped a bit in some ports where the governments took notice of these circulars.

Most emigrants travelled in steerage.

Those with more money had cabins. The voyage began when a steerage steward directed passengers to their berths on the lower deck and then back onto an upper deck to be inspected for infections diseases. Tickets were again examined.

There was no classification of the passengers. While single men and women were separated, all emigrants were thrown together. Prejudices held by various countries toward other countries made no difference, leading I am sure to some difficult confrontations. While the conditions in steerage had improved by the middle 1850’s it was still a dreary place. It was even worse when the weather was rough and passengers were not permitted to go on upper decks for fresh air and many of those in steerage got sea sick. The most common complaints of the passengers centered on the narrowness of their quarters, the insolence of the stewards and the quality of their food and uncleanly manner in which it was served.

cared about doing a good job.

Eventually several large barges were towed alongside the ship. The baggage was brought from the hold and loaded along with the passengers on to the barges. The barges carried them to the pier. At the pier customs officers were waiting to examine the baggage. The passengers were again asked questions this time by the medical examiners. Those who had diseases or were helpless and likely to become a public charge were placed under surveillance until arrangement were made either for their deportation or until they could helped to better health or found a job. The immigrants were then ushered into the rotunda of Castle Garden. The rotunda had a high roof circling the building into which ventilation and light were admitted by a dome some 75 feet high.

Two officers were there to register every immigrant’s name, birthplace and destination in large folios. Additional information was needed from those entitled to land. In the beginning the Commissioners wanted all passengers questioned as to the amount of money in the passenger’s possession, but since they rarely got truthful answers, this questioning was abandoned.

According to estimates at the time, most passengers arrived with around $100.00 in cash and $50.00 worth of possessions. In 1869 about 250,900 passengers arrived at Castle Garden.

This would mean that with the arrival of these immigrants almost $38,000,000 was added to the national wealth. That number does not include the value of their labor once they began to work in their new home. A social economist at the time estimated the value of a male laborer at $1,500 and a female laborer at $750. Adding the cash, possessions and labor together the 4,297,000 immigrants who landed in New York between 1847 and 1870 increased the national wealth by more than $5,000,000,000 in less than 33 years.

After registration each immigrant stepped up to the desk of a “booker.” This individual worked for the Railway Association and it was his duty to ascertain the destination of each passenger. Various routes were explained along with the difference in time and price of the travel on the various lines. When a selection was made by the passengers they were provided with an order on

Reaching their destination After nine to ten days the emigrants arrived at their destination. If it was between 1855 and 1890 and the destination was New York City, the emigrants arrived at Castle Garden. The first stop was for quarantine. Quarantine was located six miles below the city. A little towboat brought the health officer of the port on board. The conditions of steerage and the emigrants were checked by the doctor. If no cases of infectious diseases were found, they proceeded on into the harbor of New York City. Then another boat appeared, this time with a boarding officer who was employed by the Commissioners of Emigration. It was his job to confirm the number of passengers and again examine the conditions in steerage and listen to the complaints of the passengers with the goal of improving things for future emigrants. This was the process put in place by the Commissioners. How well the boarding officers did this job was most likely determined by the officer and how much he Danish Sisterhood News, November 2018

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The New York City Aquarium was once housed at Castle Garden (image before 1923). (Image via Wikipedia Images, Public Domain)

the cashier, stating the number of tickets required, the route selected and the price of passage and the cost of over-freight per 100 pounds. There were regular trains and “immigrant trains.” An immigrant train was usually made up of dingy old passenger cars with few windows or means of ventilation. Smoking was allowed and smoke filled the cars. Space was limited for each passenger making for an uncomfortable and often sleepless trip that depending on the destination could last over 60 hours.

Of course it was first necessary to determine the destination of each immigrant, not an easy task with immigrants speaking many languages and often with only the name of a town but no county or state.

The cashier then issued the class of tickets on the payment form. The immigrants baggage was checked and secured against loss. There was a city baggage delivery which would delivery the immigrants luggage as directed for a moderate fee. Immigrants who needed to exchange gold or silver or foreign currency for United States currency were directed to one of three exchange brokers. These brokers at Castle Garden were under the supervision of the Commission and rates only a small advance on the market rate.

The immigrants again assembled in the Rotunda and an officer of the Commission called out the names of those whose friends or family awaited them. At the same time names of those with letters or funds waiting were announced. A Letter Writing Department was also there for im-

migrants who wished to communicate their arrival to friends or family in the United States.

Also in the Rotunda were licensed and certified boarding-house keepers. They solicited immigrants who wished to remain in the city for any length of time. While the Commission tried to control these individuals within the Rotunda, many awaited unsuspecting immigrants outside Castle Gardens offering accommodations that did not have to meet any standards.

And finally there was the Labor Exchange.

Each immigrant upon arriving who was looking for work was requested to enter their name, ship, date of arrival and character of employment.

Every employer was required to enter their name, residence, recommendations, references and description of labor wanted. Immigrants looking for employment in the city or outside could used the Labor Exchange without charge. All sorts of employment could be found from skilled mechanical work to agricultural labor.

Some immigrants ended up on Ward’s Island also under the Board of Commissioners which had an immigrant refuge and hospital.

While articles written at the time tend to make area sound more like a rest home for the sick and indigent, more recent articles call it the Island of the Undesirables and tell horror stories.

Eventually the immigrants who came through Castle Garden reached their destination.

Data from 1873 shows the distribution of the 267,00 who entered the United States through New York in that year: 96,000 remained in New York, 44,000 travelled to the middle states and 99,000 went out west and to the north-western states, 24,000 stayed in the east and 4,000 headed to southern states.

In 1876 the United States Supreme Court declared unconstitutional the New York statutory law under which the Commissioners of Emigration had received the revenue that enabled them to grant relief and protection to immigrants. As a result until 1882 the State of New York made annual appropriations to defray the expenses of the Commission. The State Legislature directed the Commissioners of Emigration to “call the attention of the Congress of the United States to the present condition of the immigration laws” 11

Danish Sisterhood News, November 2018

resulting from the Supreme Court decision and to “impress upon Congress the necessity for speedy national legislation in regard thereto.”

As the result a bill was passed by Congress on August 3, 1882 to regulate immigration.

Money collected by Federal Customs agents was ordered to be used under the direction of the Secretary of the Treasury, to defray the expenses of regulating immigration and for the relief and care of distressed immigrants. An agreement between the Secretary of the Treasury and the New York Emigration Commissions was struck, giving the Commission the power to receive immigrants at Castle Garden and to provide means for the accommodation of immigrants as well as suitable quarters for the sick and needy.

Believing that this dual administration of immigration affairs by the State and Federal officials was not conducive to the improvement of the handling of immigration, the Secretary of the Treasury William Windom in the early part of 1890 revoked the contract with the Commissions. The Federal authorities took over and Castle Garden was abandoned as a landing station. With this action the functions of the State Commission ceased. “The office had been in existence for forty-three years, during which the commissioners had succeeded in eradicating swindling practices.

They also inaugurated many reforms and enlarged and perfected the system of landing and distributing immigrants, 9,725,430 of whom debarked under the supervision of the State officials at Castle Garden.’

More Recent History From 1896 to 1941 Castle Garden was the site of the New York City Aquarium. In 1941 The Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority wanted to tear the structure down completely to build the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel. The city closed the Aquarium and moved its fish to other aquariums.

Preservationists opposed the demolition and asked federal judge to grant an injunction.

The Authority was able to get the injunction dismissed, but public outcry prevented the demolition. Other civic reformers advocated saving the castle and eventually both houses of the United States Congress passed legislation to make the Danish Sisterhood News, November 2018

castle a U.S. historic monument. President Harry S Truman signed the legislation on August 12, 1946.

The city continued to own the property and in 1947 it was voted to demolish Castle Garden.

However the demolition was delayed for one year to allow the federal government to review the decision. The votes for demolition went back and forth and finally the Federal Government obtained the property on July 18, 1950 after the city deeded the land and castle to the them. A major rehabilitation took place in the 1970s. It is currently administered by the National Park Service and is the point of departure for visitors to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. It looks today much like it did in its earliest days. There is a museum there and it is again called Castle Clinton.

Today Castlegarden.org is a free database developed and funded by The Battery Conservancy. It contains and makes available eleven million records of immigrants who arrived at the Port of New York from 1820 - 1892. Today more than 100 million Americans can trace their ancestry to this early period of immigration.

Castlegarden.org is a resource for educators, scholars, students, family historians, and the interested public.

In writing this article I have relied heavily on three articles. “A Day at Castle Garden” was written by Louis Bagger and appeared in Harper’s New Monthly Magazine, Volume XLII, No. CCL, March 1871, pp 547-556 takes the reader through the immigrant depot as the writer saw it on a visit to Castle Garden. “The Immigrant’s Progress” which appeared in Scribner’s Monthly, Volume XIV, September 1877, No. 5 which tells the story of Honest Giles and his wife from their decision to leave England for the United States through their arrival in New York City at Castle Gardens and eventually their departure to there new home in America. And finally Frank Leslie’s Popular Monthly, Volume XXV January to June, 1888 which contains much detailed information on the Commission. All of these articles are available on the internet and will give you much more detailed information. The quoted and statistical information in the above article not cited in the article is taken from these three sources.

Annette Lind, Lodge #15

12

The Danish Sisterhood Marketplace Butikken DanishSisterhood.com

Contact Linda Holz for shipping and handling charges.

Red plastic heart-shaped paper clip $1.00 Letter Opener $4.00 Black baseball cap with heart logo in sequins $20.00

Black baseball cap with heart logo in satin stitch embroidery $20.00

Hygge T- Shirt  Red with white print M, L, XL, XXL $20

Frik T- Shirt Red with white print (Front and Back Shown) M, L, XL, XXL $20

Laser cut boxes (unassembled) for table favors $ 0.75

To order contact: Linda Holz Email: trustee1@danishsisterhood.com Phone: 515.225.0951 4400 EP True Pkwy, Unit 47 West Des Moines , IA 50265-5615 13

Danish Sisterhood News, November 2018

The Danish Sisterhood Marketplace Butikken DanishSisterhood.com Contact Linda Holz for shipping and handling charges.

Sisterhood License Plate Frame Frame has dual fastening holes at the top of the fame. White with red DSS logo. $4.00 each or 2 for $6.00

Red ball point pen with Sisterhood website address $5.00

DSS Fleece Jacket Available Red and Black $37.50

Coral Pendant with Silver Filigree Red and silver necklace pendant $45.00

Denmark Flag Enamel Earrings pierced $10/pair

Onesie Red with white print 6 mo - 12 mo - 18 mo $15.00

Car Decal White with a red Danish Flag Heart $3.00 ea or 2 for $5.00

Wine Bottle Opener Red with black trim, danishsisterhood.com printed on side. $5.00

Heartscarf Available in Red and White $15.00

To order contact: Linda Holz Email: trustee1@danishsisterhood.com Phone: 515.225.0951 4400 EP True Pkwy, Unit 47 West Des Moines , IA 50265-5615 Danish Sisterhood News, November 2018

14

Resolution: Norma Petra Seeger

Address Changes

The Sisters of Lodge 36 are saddened by the loss of our Sister Norma Petra Seeger on October 14, 2018.

Norma was born on February 24, 1915 in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. She lived in Edison, New Jersey and had resided in Blakeslee, Pennsylvania for the last 23 years. Norma was 103 years old.

Norma was a long time member of Lodge #36, she was initiated on May 18, 1984. She was predeceased by her beloved husband William R. Seeger, her Great Granddaughter Courtney Konen and her grandson Russel Konen.

Norma leaves behind her daughter Phyllis Kojsza of Blakeslee, Pennsylvania, and her two sons Richard Dale Thorpe and his wife Eunice of Maine and James Wayne Thorpe and her step children, William R Seeger, Jr. and his wife Charlene of VA, and Joy Ann Pado and her husband Stanley of Old Bridge, her 13 grandchildren and numerous Great Grandchildren and Great Great Grandchildren.

The Sisters of Freja Lodge #36 will greatly miss our Sister Norma. We draped our Charter at our October meeting, and had a memorial service for her. We would like the memory of her to be a happy one, and the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun of happy memories that are left behind when life is done.

Carole E. Pierorazio, Past President Lodge #36

If you have moved please use this form to notify the Danish Sisterhood of America.

Clip and mail to: Danish Sisterhood News National Secretary: Glenda Madrid 1555 Oak St. Solvang, CA 93463 I belong to Lodge #: Name: New Address: City: State: Zip Code:

Upcoming Newsletter Deadlines January 2019 issue.........Submit by December 1 February 2019 issue............Submit by January 1 March 2019 issue..............Submit by February 1 April 2019 issue.....................Submit by March 1 May 2019 issue........................Submit by April 1 June 2019 issue........................Submit by May 1 July 2019 issue.........................Submit by June 1

Membership Expansion

Welcome New Members!

LODGE 64 4 188

NEW MEMBER Annette Buhl Linnea Scherer Dianne E. Snell

SPONSOR Aase Hansen Lene Scherer Sandra Nelson

In Memoriam NAME J. Dorothy Jensen Cheryl A. Sanford Helen Beck Lille Benedict Norma Seeger

Cert # 23825 24737 24034 869 799

Lodge # 49 21 149 149 36

Location Ludington MI Denver, CO Fresno, CA Fresno, CA Perth Amboy, NJ

Birth Date Birth Place Initiated 7.4.21 Amber Township 7.16.80 9.18.29 Oxford, NE 8.28.91 2.25.27 Fresno, CA 11.11.82 7.29.24 8.14.86 2.24.15 5.18.84 15

Died Benefit 8.13.18 500.

8.26.18 125.

6.16.18 125.

9.8.18 10.14.18

Danish Sisterhood News, November 2018

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