Elfrida Pedersen was an actress, poet, and songwriter. She was born Elfrida Jensen in Horsens, Denmark, in 1886 and emigrated to Montana circa 1903 and then Seattle circa 1904. Pedersen became active in Seattle Danish organizations, especially the Seattle Danish Young People's Society, Dagmar, and Harmonien that was known for its Danish musical and theatrical performances. Elfrida had a large role in Harmonien as one of its charter members and secretaries and kept records of their meetings which included working on performances and discussing local issues such as raising money to support the Seattle Danish community. Elfrida and her husband, Hans Pedersen met in Harmonien and were engaged in 1915. Besides playing the lead roles in many Danish plays, "Frida" wrote and adapted scripts, and wrote songs and poems in Danish and English for the stage, parties, and special occasions. In 1952 Elfrida visited Denmark for the first time since immigrating to the United States. She died on December 10, 1973.
Collection of images of Elfrida Pedersen, members of the Danish Young People's Society or
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Donor, P. Stan Jessen, January, 30, 1974.
Processed by Sarah Julsonnet, 2010; Stefanie Terasaki, 2012; processing completed in 2012.
Photographs were transferred from the Elfrida J. Pedersen Papers (MSS Accession Number 2227-001) in Special Collections.
Caption on verso: from Leif Erickson Festival.
Printed on verso: Members of
Harmoninen was the Danish Dramatic Club of Seattle that produced and performed musical and theatrical performances. Harmonien was established on September 8, 1911 to preserve the Danish language in the Seattle area as well as to establish a theatrical counterpart to the Danish Brotherhood of Seattle. The theatrical productions of Harmonien often were used as benefits to assist those in the Danish community and in 1921 the name of the club was changed to Harmoninen: Danish Social and Dramatic Club. During the 1920s and 30s Harmonien reached its peak in attendance with audiences as large as 500-800 people crowding their venue, Washington Hall which was bulit by the Danish Brotherhood in 1908.
Printed on verso: Performed by the Danish Dramatic Club, Harmonien, in Nov. 1925, in the Danish Brotherhood Hall, at 14th and Fir St. in Seattle, WA. (Left to right) Julius Bernth, Einar Rasmussen, Tage Frederiksen, Frida Pedersen, Sigrid Nielsen, Viggo Christensen, Charles Pedersen, Christ Hansen, William Petersen.
Written on verso: (Left to Right) Unknown, Bill, Unknown, Marie L., Anna F., Trea Torp, Hannah, Martha, Tage. On floor: Viggo, Charlie.
Printed on verso: Performed by the Danish Dramatic Club, Harmonien in March 1926, in the Danish Brotherhood Hall, Washington Hall, at 14th and East Fir in Seattle, WA. Left to right: William Petersen, Sigrid Nielsen, Charles Pedersen, Charlotte Andersen, John Petersen, Martha Lauridsen, Viggo Christensen, Anna Petersen, Augusta Pedersen.
Written on verso: Arne (Petersen), Thyge (Hansen), Poulsen (Tage P.), Aefhild (Hansen), Martin (Hansen), Ruth (Christensen), Robert (Jensen), Love (Petersen), Kisley (Paul), Preben (Christensen).
Written on verso: Love (Petersen), Aefhild (Hansen), and (Ruth Christensen).
Printed on verso: Performed by the Danish Dramatik Club, Harmonien in the Danish Brotherhood Hall, Washington Hall, at 14th and East Fir, Seattle, WA. From left to right: Christ Hansen, Viggo Christensen, Martinus Christensen, Svend Hansen (sitting), Frida Pedersen (sitting), Sam Olsen, John Petersen, "Vater" Jensen, Tage Frederiksen, Laura Hansen, Niels Sadrup, Marta Lauraitsen, Martha Lauritsen, Sigrid Nielsen, Tomine Christensen, Charles Petersen.
Scene background says: MED LOV SKAL MAN LAND BYGGE which translates to "with the law, one should build the country"
Printed on verso: Svend, Frida, Martha, Chris, Sam, John, Viggo, Martinus, Tage, Tomine, Laura, Sigrid, Chas, Sadrup.
Printed on verso: Perfromed by the Danish Dramatic Club, Harmonien in Dec. 1926, in the Danish Brotherhood Hall, Washington Hall, at 14th and East Fir in Seattle, WA. Back row: (left to right) Chris Hansen, Charlotte Andersen, Sigrid Neilsen, Charles Pedersen, John Pedersen, Tage Frederiksen, Emmy Jensen, Carl Torp, Tomine Christensen, Olga Petersen, Hans Pederesen, Trea Torp. Sitting: Martinus Christensen, William Petersen, Laura Hansen, Frida Pedersen. Children sitting: Else Andersen, Ellen Hansen, August Petersen, Julius Bernth, Bert Nielsen, Earl Nielsen, Alice Pedersen.
Printed on verso: Performed by the Danish Dramatic Club, Harmonien in March 1929, in the Danish Brotherhood Hall, Washington Hall, at 14th and East Fir in Seattle, WA. Left to Right: Chris Hansen, Sigrid Nielsen, Frida Pedersen, Olaf Thygesen, Alfred Nielsen, Fred Begant, Karl Larsen, Martinus Christensen, Thomas (J.T.) Svarre, Julius Bernth, Tage Frederiksen, Hans Pedersen, William Pedersen, Karl Torp, John Petersen.
Written on verso: Dancing together: Frida P. and Albert, Martinus and Lonnine, H.P. and Laura, Trea and Torp, Martha and Sidney, Gusta and Chas, Sigrid and Ejnar R., Hannah and Bert, Stinna and Chris Hansen.
Written on verso: Standing: Greta, Hannah, Trine, Edith Fredrikson. Sitting: Sigrid, Stinna, Olga B., Gusta.
Written on verso: Karen Frolund, Elinar Holmboe, John Petersen, Dad Svarre.
From accompanying material found on duplicate: 125th Jubelle for H.C. Andersen, March 30, 1930.
Written on verso: Melvin Johnson, Marguerite H., Ernest F., Fred Olsen, Oscar Sorensen, Earl and Bert, Ed Olsen, Carl Andersen, Helen Olsen, Sarensen, Ruth Ottesen, Helen Hansen (Sorensen).
Printed on verso: Performed by the Danish Dramatic Club, Harmonien in March 1930, for the 125th Year Birthday celebration in the Danish Brotherhood Hall, Washington Hall, at 14th and East Fir in Seattle, WA. Left to right: Gerda Thygesen, Hannah Olsen, Marie Larsen, Chris Hansen, Laura Hansen, Olga (Nielsen) Bischoff, Charles Pederesen, Sigrid Nielsen, Jenny (Christensen) Bülow, Augusta Pedersen.
Written on verso: Children and Ellen, Frida P., Ellen Fries, Thelma Beola, Bill P., Sigrid, Greta, Martha, Viggo, Mildred, Jennie Miller, Anna Heltborg.
Written on verso: Ed Olsen, Bill Peter Jr., Bob Petersen, Olaf Haygesen, Martin Rasmusen, Albert Odgaard.
The Seattle Danish Brotherhood Lodge 29 was established on April, 8, 1888 and was the first of its kind in the Pacific Northwest.
List of names written on verso: Charlie Olsen, John A. Hansen, John Petersen, Carl [ill.].
This could possibly be the convention committee for the 22nd National Convention of the Danish Brotherhood in America which was in 1947 and was held in Seattle.
Fredensborg is a town in Denmark, however the presence of the American flags in the photo indicates it might not actually have been taken in Denmark.
Written on verso: Queen Candidate.
Inscribed below: Til Harmonien i Seattle med [ill.] hilsen [ill.] tak fra [ill.]. Translate: To Harmonien in Seattle with [ill.] regards [ill.] thank you from Ellen Malbug.
Aksel Schiøtz was a Danish operartic tenor and baritone who later taught at the University of Minnesota and the University of Colorado.
Inscribed on photo: Til Harmonien Seattle. Tusind tak for al venlighed. Juli 1939. Translated: To Harmonien Seattle. Thank you for all the kindness July 1939.
Inscribed below: Sangforening Harmonien, Seattle, Wash. med tak for hjælpen og erindring om eders sangerbroder. Translated: Choral Society Harmonien Seattle, Wash. With thanks for the help and rememberance of your singer brother. Poul [ill.].
Photo has an inscription and signature in Danish.
Inscribed on photo: [ill.] Hilsner til Harmonien [ill.] Tak fer sidst. Translated: [ill.] Greetings to Harmonien [ill.] Thanks for the last.