The Danish Canadian National Museum and Gardens

The Danish Canadian National Museum and Gardens is located just south (800 metres) of the tiny Central Alberta community of Dickson. In the late 1980s, a subcommittee of the Danish Heritage Society of Dickson recognized a need to record and document the history of Danish immigration and the development of Danish communities in Canada. It was felt that such a site would be overwhelmed by other attractions if located in a major metropolitan area. Instead, the oldest Danish settlement on the Canadian prairies was chosen as the site, and the Danish Canadian National Museum and Gardens was born in June 1992. A former Girls' Dormitory; built in 1933 and situated on seven and one half acres of land, became the home of the Danish Canadian National Museum and Gardens. This dormitory, with minimum renovations, is the cornerstone of the Museum and Gardens, as they exist today.

The Dormitory now functions as a Museum, Coffee House, and Gift Shop. The upstairs rooms contain a wealth of artefacts and archives documenting the pioneer experience, as well as storyboards outlining the histories of local pioneer families. An outdoor deck overlooks a serene man-made lake, which features a statue of a little mermaid. Walking trails allow visitors to meander through the aspen grove, which surrounds the lake, stopping along the way to enjoy storyboards featuring Hans Christian Andersen themes. A bust of the famous Danish author keeps watch over a quiet gazebo in the Children’s Garden of Imagination. Throughout the grounds, visitors can enjoy remarkable flower gardens, which feature an elaborate stonewall as a border. Another unique feature is the Pioneer Garden, where vegetables like those grown by the pioneers can be found. Some of the flower and vegetable plants originate from Denmark.

At the edge of the lake, children and adults alike can enjoy crossing the drawbridge into the Danish Castle. Inside they become acquainted with Viking Legends. At the other edge of the lake stands the Dagmar Pioneer Church, named after Queen Dagmar, a beloved Danish Queen from the early 1200s. This smaller scale replica seats twenty-four people and is used for weddings, baptisms, and other special occasions.

Staff who are dressed in traditional costume conduct interpretive tours of the Museum and Gardens. Visitors are welcome to sample authentic Danish dishes in the Coffee House, to wander in the serenity of the grounds, or to join in the celebration of special events such as St. Hans Fest, Aebleskiver Days, and Folk Fest.

Hours and Admission:
May – September
Monday – Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Sunday, 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

$2.00 – Single Admission
$6.00 – Family

Contact:
Danish Canadian National Museum and Gardens
Box 92
Spruce View, Alberta
T0M 1V0
Phone: (403) 728–0019
1–888–443–4114
Fax: (403) 728–0020
Email: dcnms@telusplanet.net
Website: http://www.dancanmuseum.ca/index.html

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