Blair Historic Preservation Alliance

Dana Collage Photo Gallery
In 1884 Danish Lutheran pioneers established Trinity Seminary at Blair, Nebraska, for the purpose of training men for the parish ministry. Reverend A. M. Andersen, founder of the institution, began teaching seminary courses in his home. Two years later, the first permanent building on the campus was completed. The main emphasis during those early days was on theology and, although some academic courses were offered, they were taught primarily as a background for theological study. The need for additional academic courses was recognized but not fulfilled until 1899 when the Danish College at Elk Horn, Iowa, was merged with the Blair school. The result was the establishment of Dana College as a separate educational institution.

Related Topics

u Dana College History
u Landmarks Registry
u Photo Archive Gallery

Click images to enlarge.

Old Main, 1886

Center section of Old Main soon after its completion in 1886. Note the open tower. The man at the foot of the stairs to the left is probably President A.M. Andersen. The architectural style of the building is French Second Empire, which was popular at the time.

Alumni Memorial Auditorium 1928

Pioneer Memorial (1948)

E.C. Hunt Campus Center

Panoramic Photograph
The 25th Annual Conference of the Untied Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church, Blair, Neb. May 31 to June 5, 1921

Blair Hall

Old Main in 1912 from the southeast. In the foreground is the home of P.S. Vig.

Post Card - Old Main
DAN-0003a

Post Card - Old Main
DAN-0003

Post Card - Old Main
DAN-0004

Aerial View - Dana College
DAN-0004

1890 4th of July Program

DAN-0023
A rare view of the start of construction of the south wing of Old Main in 1905 showing footings and foundations. The new wing added dormitory space for 50 students, a chapel, offices and classrooms.

DAN-0012

Probably taken before World War. The iron trim on the roof and tower was removed and contributed to the war effort.

DAN-0010

Old Main in the 1940s or early '50s? In the late 1950s the building underwent extensive interior and exterior remodeling.
Notable exterior changes at that time included removal of the wooden stairs that led to the second floor and construction of a first-floor entrance and terrace.

DAN-0022

DAN-0011

Old Main in the early to mid 1980s. A 19th century gas lamp from Copenhagen is in the foreground.

Students and faculty on the steps of Old Main in the early 1900's. Note the sidewalk of wooden planks. For many years group photographs of Dana and Trinity Seminary students and faculty members were taken in front of Old Main.

Old Main was completely destroyed by a fire that started early Thursday morning, August 25, 1988. The fire was caused by faulty electrical wiring in the ceiling of the first floor hallway of the north wing. Although the center section and south wing had been recently renovated, work had not yet started on the north wing.