Our History

Over 100 years and still going strong…!

Jubilæums kransekage at the Seattle Danish Center Celebration for Northwest Danish Association
The traditional Danish kransekage from NWDA’s 95th anniversary celebration

Serving the community since August 1923, the Northwest Danish Association is proud of more than 100 years of continuous existence and operation. The Association receives continued financial support from individuals, supporting organizations and business partners.

 

It all began with $700.

 

The Northwest Danish Association began with $700 collected at a picnic held by the Tacoma, Enumclaw and Seattle Lodges of the Danish Brotherhood and Sisterhood in 1922. Later a committee meeting was held in Auburn, Washington to discuss how to divide the profits from the picnic. A suggestion was made that the money from the picnic be used to establish an Old Peoples Home.

 

From this suggestion, hard work and dedication a private residence was purchased for $15,000 on July 2, 1924. This residence became a home to care for the elderly and a gathering place for all area Danes. In the late 1960’s the building encountered safety concerns and was determined inadequate as a residence. The home was demolished in 1970 since governmental regulations could no longer be met.

 

That same year the new Northwest Danish Home was built. From 1970 to 1989 this facility operated as a state licensed nursing home. In 1989 the Danish communities of Washington and Oregon evaluated the status of the nursing home and the survival of the Danish communities. The conclusion reached was that the nursing home no longer served the needs of the communities. It was agreed that the communities needed a new place to meet in order to revive and continue Danish traditions, culture and language.

 

In 1989, we sold the nursing home and established new cultural centers for the Danish community in both Portland, Oregon and Seattle, Washington. Today, we still operate two locations offering active cultural centers, lending libraries, public programs and services for the Northwest.

 

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