04/25/2026
The Danish American Archive and Library (DAAL) in Blair, NE is one of the premier repositories of immigrant heritage among Scandinavians in the United States. The Archive was originally on the campus of Dana College in Blair.
DAAL was the focus of an April day trip by members of the Norden Club of Lincoln. The two groups share the same mission, to preserve and honor the rich history and contributions to American life of Scandinavian Americans from immigration to the present day.
There were 12 in the Lincoln group, who arrived at DAAL for coffee and Danish treats. DAAL’s history and work was presented by John Mark Nielsen, board member and former executive director of the library and archive.
The transition from the Dana College library to storage and then the current site on Blair’s Main Street was made by Volunteers who quickly gathered the archive and library documents on short notice, and stored them in their own basements and garages, then brought them back to their new home.
The volunteers continue to keep DAAL vibrant. They provided a light lunch in the building, before Nielsen conducted the group on a history tour of Blair focusing on Danish American sites such as early 20th Century restored railroad depot and the former Dana College campus. The final stop was the Black Elk-Neihardt Park to view the Tower of the Four Winds, a large mosaic by Danish American Rev. F.W. Thomsen.
The Norden Club plans to provide its members with more trips in 2026 to Scandinavian heritage communities.
