You may have noticed refurbishing activity at the Danish Hall on Porter Street recently. The old building received a major renovation over the past several years, and the community celebrated its donors, supporters, and workers last Sunday.
The Danish Brotherhood first organized in Enumclaw in 1898 and acquired the building two years later. Originally the general store in Birch, in 1900 the Brotherhood bought it for $125, dismantled it, and paid Anton Johansen $20 to move it the three miles by horse and wagon to Enumclaw. By June 10 of that year, it was completely rebuilt and dedicated.
The Enumclaw Danish Brotherhood disbanded in 1998, 100 years after being founded. They sold the hall for $1 to the Danish Sisterhood, who have been operating it since. But it has been a struggle. It has cost $11,000 a year to maintain, not counting expenses for much- needed repairs or renovation. In desperation, they considered selling. One prospective buyer wanted to demolish it and put in a parking lot.
Members of the Danish Brotherhood, this time from throughout the Pacific Northwest, joined with the Sisterhood and formed Friends of the Danish Hall and began fundraising. They periodically sponsored aebleskiver brunches, frikadeller dinners (next one is June 15th), and Viking feasts. You could also buy delicious Danish treats at these events, baked from traditional family recipes by members. The hall is now in use nearly every day by various local groups, and you can rent it for your next get-together (Doreen did that for my 70th birthday). They will even cater the food if you would rather party than cook.
All the fundraising activities, however, were not enough to renovate a building well over a century old. But then a benefactor appeared on the scene. Lise Wilber arrived with a contractor, surveyed the needs, and provided a very generous gift to underwrite the project. Now completed are a new foundation, concrete porch with wheelchair ramp and stairs, updated wiring and lights, columns, gutters, downspouts, restroom upgrades, and more. The most recent change is the classic blue exterior paint.
The Danish community, originally concentrated in the Flensted area, has been active around Enumclaw for at least 130 years. They founded Mutual of Enumclaw and played a major role in the local dairy industry and the development of downtown business. We see in the activity within their hall that they are still going strong and preserving Danish heritage for our town.
At the ceremony, volunteers served their old-country home-baked goodies while troubadour Flemming Behrends entertained the guests (in Danish). Friends of the Danish Hall president, Frank Poulsen, introduced the board of directors and Lise Wilber, who in turn, recognized all the volunteers who have kept the hall alive over the years.
