Max Henius’ Bust

Max Henius (16 June 1859 – 15 November 1935) came from an immigrant family himself. His father emigrated from Poland to Aalborg, where he later built up De Danske Spritfabrikker.

Max Henius was not among the founders of the Danish-American Society, but he took part in the founding general meeting in 1906. The purpose of the society was to create greater understanding and closer ties between Danes in Denmark and Danes in the United States. Shortly afterwards, Max Henius was elected president of the society.

It was the Danish-American Society that took the initiative to raise money for the purchase of “a stretch of Jutland heathland”, where Danish-Americans could gather for an annual national celebration. The choice fell on Rebild Bakker, and in 1910 the first seven plots of land were purchased, covering a total of 130 tønder land.

The official presentation of the deed to Rebild Bakker National Park took place at Marselisborg Palace the day before the first Rebild Festival, which was held on 5 August 1912. King Christian X took part in the celebrations together with around 10,000 people – despite pouring rain.

This marked the beginning of the tradition where Danes and emigrants meet once a year in Rebild Bakker. The Rebild Festival has since become known as the largest Fourth of July celebration outside the United States. At its peak in the late 1940s, around 50,000 people attended. At the 100th anniversary of the Rebild Festival in 2012, the number of participants was around 5,000.

Max Henius’ summer house once stood in the valley of Rebild Bakker. According to his will, the house was demolished after his death. The first bust of Max Henius was created by artist Carla M. Christiansen in 1937 and stands in the valley where his summer house once stood.

Later, a new bust was created based on the original. It stands at the entrance to Rebild Bakker National Park in Mindelunden. This bust was created by artist Dennis Smith, who is also behind the sculpture "Familien", which also stands in Mindelunden.