WASHINGTON D.C. — In a remarkable journey to connect with his ancestral roots, Dan Backer, a resident of New Ulm, embarked on a special family pilgrimage to the Smithsonian Museum of Anthropology last month. The purpose of this extraordinary appointment was to pay homage to a 17.5-foot beard that once graced the chin of Hans Nielsen Langseth, a legendary figure in the annals of facial hair history.
Hans Nielsen Langseth, renowned as the world record holder for the longest beard ever grown, achieved a staggering 18.5 feet in length at the time of his passing in 1927. Following Langseth’s demise, the record-breaking beard was sheared, retaining a foot on his chin, while the remainder found a new home within the Langseth family. It wasn’t until 1967 that the iconic beard was generously donated to the Smithsonian, where it remained on display in the Anthropology Department until 1999. For the past 24 years, this captivating artifact has been housed in the depths of the Smithsonian’s basement, accessible only to a select few.
Dan Backer, as a direct descendant of Hans Langseth, was among the fortunate few granted permission to lay eyes on the legendary beard in person. Reflecting on his unique connection to this remarkable story, Backer said, “Growing up in New Ulm, I was told about my great-great-grandfather and that he was in the Guinness Book of World Records, but as a kid, I wasn’t sure the story was true.”
The tale of a record-breaking ancestor with a nearly 19-foot beard seemed more like a myth than a reality during his early years. It wasn’t until the 3rd Grade that Backer confirmed the veracity of this remarkable narrative. Through a school book program, he ordered a copy of the Guinness Book to verify his great-grandfather’s presence in its pages. With the book’s arrival, he discovered Hans Langseth, along with a photograph showcasing his prodigious 18.5-foot beard. The Guinness Book entry also stated that the beard had been donated to the Smithsonian in 1967.
“As a kid, I always wanted to see the beard,” Backer said. Fast-forward to this October, and Backer, along with his wife Jeannie, embarked on a road trip to Washington, D.C. to fulfill this long-held desire.
Backer arranged an appointment with the Smithsonian’s anthropology department. Given his familial connection, he was granted the privilege to visit. Upon arrival, Sabrina Sholts, Curator of Biological Anthropology, greeted the Backers and escorted them into the lower levels of the Smithsonian building. The basement, housing numerous items not currently on display, left Backer with an impression similar to that of walking through the storeroom in “Raiders of the Lost Ark.”
Before laying eyes on the beard, Backer explained that he had to sign the logbook, which featured the signatures of 25 other relatives who had visited the beard over the past two decades.
“I looked at my wife and said, ‘See, I am not the only crazy one,'” Backer noted.
Before embarking on his journey to witness the legendary beard, Backer had shared his plans with several people. Their reactions were invariably divided into two camps: some found the story “cool,” while others deemed it “creepy.”
Upon finally gazing upon the beard, Backer was taken aback by the emotional wave that washed over him.
“I teared up,” he confessed. Even weeks later, he continued to be moved by the experience of beholding his great-great-grandfather’s beard. Backer had recounted stories of his ancestors on numerous occasions, often using them as an icebreaker at social gatherings. But seeing the beard in the flesh transformed what was once legend into undeniable reality.
“It isn’t just a legend; it is true,” he affirmed.
The beard displayed a spectrum of colors, with the tip appearing dark and gradually lightening with age. Langseth initially grew his beard at the age of 19 while living in Norway. The motivating factor behind his beard-growing endeavor was to win the title of the longest beard, although it remains unclear whether he succeeded. Nevertheless, for the remaining 62 years of his life, Hans Langseth never once shaved it.
Two years after commencing his quest for the longest beard, Langseth immigrated to the United States and initially settled in Minnesota. Over the years, numerous stories and photographs documented the exploits of Hans Langseth and his remarkable beard. Some images depict young women using his beard as a jump rope, while, for a time, Langseth even toured with the Ringling Bros. Circus, showcasing his prodigious facial hair. Family lore recounts that he left the circus due to persistent children who would pull on his beard to confirm its authenticity.
Langseth’s remarkable journey came to an end in 1927 when he passed away in Barney, North Dakota. At the time, he was residing on a wheat farm, with kernels of wheat occasionally finding their way into his majestic beard.
Backer harbors the hope that his ancestor’s legendary tale will continue to captivate future generations. He confidently believes that the record for the longest beard will remain unbroken, as very few individuals today would endure the trials of maintaining such an extensive facial adornment.
“In today’s world, I can’t see how it would be broken,” he mused. “To grow something that long, he had to start at age 19.”
While Backer typically sports a clean-shaven look, he was inspired to cultivate a beard for his visit to the Smithsonian.
“I felt the need to have something when I went there,” he remarked. At present, his facial hair is the longest it has ever been, though he readily acknowledges that he will never come close to challenging his great-great-grandfather’s record.
Despite spending a mere 10 minutes with his ancestor’s beard, the experience is one that Dan Backer will cherish for a lifetime. While uncertain if he will ever have the opportunity to see the beard again, he encourages his children to undertake the journey someday.
“How many people get the opportunity to see something of their great-great-grandfather that is still around and was a part of him?” Backer pondered.
