The Museum of Danish America in Elk Horn reports they are waiving admission for all visitors beginning today (January 6th) through Jan. 31st,  while exhibits are in transition and construction continues on its curatorial center. Museum goers who visit during the free admission period will be able to view the museum’s permanent exhibit, Across Oceans, Across Time, Victor Borge kiosk, LEGO play area, Jens Jensen Prairie Landscape Park, and Museum Shop.

Danish Modern: Design for Living, the popular 30th anniversary exhibit that occupied two floors of the museum in much of 2013 is headed to the Goldstein Museum of Design in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The Goldstein will host the exhibit from February 1 to April 27. Interested parties who missed seeing the exhibit can purchase an exhibit catalog with photos and essays through the Museum of Danish America’s Museum Shop.

Taking Danish Modern’s place on the main floor at the Museum of Danish America will be Søren Kierkegaard: The Global Dane from February 1 to April 13. As a theologian, philosopher and author, Søren Kierkegaard (1813-1855) is hailed as one of the most influential figures of the 19th century. This exhibition, prepared for the bicentennial of Kierkegaard’s birth, explores his life and work. English-language text is by Kierkegaard scholar Joakim Garff.

Also opening in February is another new exhibit, Schleswig-Holstein: Turmoil on the Danish-German Border, which will open in the mezzanine gallery on February 22 and run until September 1. The region of Schleswig-Holstein sits on the border between Denmark and Germany, and for centuries has had a mixed population of German-speaking and Danish-speaking communities. In 1864, 150 years ago, Denmark’s military defeat by Germany transferred Schleswig-Holstein into German control. In 1920, some of that territory was returned to Denmark in a popular vote. Many immigrants from the Schleswig-Holstein region, both Danish and German, settled in Iowa – in fact, there are two towns in Iowa called Schleswig and Holstein. The exhibit promises to teach visitors the history of this region and its impact on immigrant communities in the Midwest. The exhibit and its related programming was developed in collaboration with the German-American Heritage Center in Davenport, Iowa, with support from Humanities Iowa and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

In addition to transitioning exhibits, the museum’s west side is taking on a new look. Construction on the curatorial center has progressed steadily since the groundbreaking in August. The concrete foundation footings were poured in late November, and over the past several weeks, the support posts and exterior walls have begun to take shape. The 8,000 square foot expansion will house artifact storage and staff office areas and will feature an environmentally-friendly green roof, planted with native grasses and wildflowers.

More information about the museum can be found on their website, www.danishmuseum.org or by calling (712) 764-7001.