Earlham Echo

April 7, 2024

Bear Creek Hardwoods does custom milling every day and they often get some unusual orders. But they’ve never had one quite like this. Last Monday, representatives from the Museum of Danish America in Elk Horn were at the mill to pick up an order of 4,000 lineal feet of 1/8” white oak and burr oak boards. That’s really thin for a board—but they are going to be used for something extraordinary. The boards will become the “fur” of a giant wooden troll sculpture to be erected at the museum.

The museum has contracted with Danish artist Thomas Dambo. Dambo is a well-known “recycle artist” and environmental activist who creates large-scale, whimsical troll sculptures inspired by Danish folklore. He builds them primarily from reclaimed wood, recycled materials, and natural elements. His trolls—often towering, playful figures “hidden” in natural or cultural settings—encourage exploration, adventure, sustainability, and turning “trash into treasure.” He has created over 150 of them in more than 17 countries, each with its own unique design and backstory.

The new troll will take up residence on the museum’s campus in Elk Horn, joining the global family of Dambo’s creations. Museum officials describe it not merely as a sculpture, but as a landmark and gathering place — a photo-worthy attraction that could boost visitation while connecting visitors to themes of Danish folklore, immigrant stories, identity, and environmental stewardship.

Project Details for Elk Horn

• Location: On the campus of the Museum of Danish America in Elk Horn, Iowa (address: 2212 Washington Street).
• Timeline: Design, development, and preproduction are complete. Construction and installation should be completed by late April. It will coincide with local celebrations, including the Danish Windmill’s 50th anniversary, Tivoli Fest, and the opening of the museum’s Vikingmania! exhibition.
• Materials: Reclaimed wood and other recycled/natural materials, in line with Dambo’s eco-friendly approach.
• Scale and Purpose: A “towering” or large-scale sculpture that joins Dambo’s global network. It aims to celebrate Danish immigration history, Danish-American culture, creativity, and sustainability while drawing tourists, inspiring imagination, and serving as a community landmark.

Community Involvement

The build involves strong local participation, including volunteers, students (via shop, art, media, and STEM programs), and workshops. It’s framed as a “living classroom” for hands-on learning in engineering, design, and reuse. Community leaders see it as a modern parallel to the 1976 effort to import and rebuild a historic Danish windmill in Elk Horn—another bold, collaborative project that put the small town on the map. Fundraising is ongoing (goal: $550,000; significant progress reported by early 2026), with sponsorship opportunities and calls for donations or volunteer help.

Bear Creek Hardwoods is owned and operated by Monty and Becky Button and is located at 17588 Bear Creek Road.