Danish Brotherhood in America Headquarters

Danish Brotherhood in America

Company type	Ethnic fraternal society and insurance provider
Industry	Fraternal organization, Insurance
Founded	1882
Defunct	2014 (insurance operations merged)
Fate	Insurance operations merged with Woodmen of the World to form Assured Life Association
Headquarters	Omaha , United States

The Danish Brotherhood in America Headquarters is situated within Omaha, Nebraska's Midtown district and holds a place on the National Register of Historic Places. The Danish Brotherhood in America operated as both an ethnic fraternal society and an insurance provider.

History

Established by Omaha's Danish population in 1882, this benevolent organization later erected the current headquarters building in 1966 to serve as the central office for its life insurance activities.

Prior to merging its insurance operations with Woodmen of the World to create the Assured Life Association in 2014, the organization divested this property. From 1994 until 2015, ownership was held by attorney Mike Goodman and a business partner. Subsequently, Dundee Bank purchased the site in 2015, repurposing it as a loan processing facility and initiating refurbishment efforts. The building earned its listing on the National Register of Historic Places in 2016 due to its unique architectural significance.

Architecture

The two-story headquarters was designed by Edward Sessinghaus, an Omaha-based architect recognized for notable works such as the Sokol Auditorium. Although partially retired at the time, Sessinghaus executed the project through his firm Teig & Johnson. The structure exhibits a postmodern interpretation of the National Romantic style, reflecting Scandinavian cultural influences linked to the organization.

Externally, the building features a hipped roof clad in red terra cotta tiles and walls constructed from ashlar stone resting on a continuous water table. The facade is divided into five bays accentuated by stepped parapet dormer windows. Above the main entrance, carved stonework presents the organization's emblem, while a stylized "DB" is positioned between adjacent windows.

Topping the roof is a distinctive green copper spire inspired by Copenhagen’s historic 17th-century Børsen stock exchange, renowned for its ornate spire formed by intertwined dragon tails.

Inside, the principal boardroom boasts wood-paneled walls complemented by finely detailed moldings. The entrance foyer features terrazzo flooring, walls adorned with Tennessee marble, and a ceiling finished with mirrors.

See also

• Columbia Hall (Dannebrog, Nebraska)
• Washington Hall (Seattle)
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Douglas County, Nebraska