Skive Borger- og Håndværkerforening “Den Gamle” was founded in 1857 and closed in 2013.
The background
The 1857 Freedom of Trade Act and the abolition of guild rights meant that many master craftsmen felt threatened. Especially in the provinces, this led to the formation of craftsmen’s associations. The law was finally enacted in 1862 after a transitional and preparatory period – a circular from the Ministry of the Interior encouraged the establishment of free associations that could support craftsmen’s skills, establish foundations for the sick and elderly, etc.
The birth of the association
14. in April 1857, the merchant craftsmen gathered at Skive Town Hall and adopted laws for a Craftsmen’s Association. The board of directors consisted of chairman master mason N. Bønding, vice-chairman J. C. Jespersen, treasurer master bricklayer P. C. Kjærgaard, master butcher K. Larsen and bookbinder Petersen (soon after replaced by master cooper S. Jensen).
The association was housed in rented premises – which would be open to members two evenings a week until midnight – in Gæstgivergården. This was the beginning of a long life in rented premises in different parts of the city, and not always very satisfactory.
In the rented rooms of one of the city’s restaurateurs, members could meet for discussion, reading newspapers, playing cards or billiards while enjoying a glass of wine or punch.
In the 1860s, the association expanded to become a Civic Association. During the first many years, there was turmoil in the association with changing presidents. With the arrival of printer Marius Jensen on the board and later as chairman until 1906, things calmed down. He was made an honorary member.
Tasks
One of the first tasks, in addition to organizing revenue-generating balls, was to set up a health insurance fund. In 1867, the association got its own flag.
In 1868, they succeeded in starting a night school for apprentices with 4 hours of instruction per week in drawing, drawing, writing, arithmetic, spelling and the mother tongue. Under varying conditions, the school was run as an evening and Sunday school until 1871, when the Industrial Association took up the task and eventually started a technical school.
The Civic and Craftsmen’s Association continued to support the technical school, trade school, etc.
The association organized craft exhibitions, craft days, bazaars, balls, carnivals and excursions.
The citizens and craftsmen foundation
By saving for several years and organizing bazaars and balls, it was possible to raise some of the initial capital to build a foundation for old and sick members and their widows. The city council made a plot of the Market Square available. Architect Paludann from Viborg designed the building at Frederiksgade 19 as aclassicistred brick building with two distinctive front dormers facing Frederiksgade. 28. the foundation was inaugurated in October 1878. There were 8 and after the expansion in 1887 16 apartments. The foundation got its own independent board of directors.
In 1951, the foundation bought Jyllandshus for DKK 150,000 with 30 apartments. The apartments were reserved for elderly and needy citizens.
The association and the foundation’s dissolution
Skive municipality took over the property in Frederiksgade in the mid-70s. Like so manyother places in the city center, demolition was threatened, but many years of debate endedwith the city council deciding to renovate the much-abused building into senior housing. Among other things, the front dormers wererecreated during the urban renewal of the building in 1991. At the same time, the temporary eternit roof was removed and replaced with a red wing tile roof that matches the building’s original roof covering. These few touches showed how beautiful a building was hiding on Frederiksgade.
The buildings in Jyllandsgade were sold around 2013, the Foundation was dissolved and the Citizens and Craftsmen Association was dissolved.
The funds from the sale of the properties went to charity, so Hospice Limfjord received the funds from the sale of Jyllandshus.
Sources :
- Borger-og håndværkerforeningen i Skive 1857 – 1932, by Niels P. Bjerregård
- “Den gamle Forening” 100 years on Sunday, Skive Folkeblad, April 11, 1957
- Skive Folkeblad, October 12, 2016
- Skivebogen 2015, Urban renewal in Skive 1984 – 2015.