Calendar of Events

For information about Vesterheim's education programs and a folk-art class list go to Vesterheim Lifelong Learning.

The first Thursday of every month Vesterheim offers free admission to the museum and a special event.

April 28, 2013

May 2, 2013

Free First Thursday
Help us celebrate the reopening of the food preparation exhibition in the Main Building, which is on view just through the door from the lobby. Upgrading this area is part of ongoing improvements at Vesterheim. Come see what’s new; visit with Alison Dwyer, Vesterheim’s Collections Manager, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. and 3:00-4:00 p.m.; and enjoy a celebratory reception from 3:00-5:00 p.m.

May 16, 2013

May 17 and 18, 2013

Syttende Mai Celebration

We'll observe Norwegian Constitution Day with a street dance with the popular Scandinavian-American old-time dance band Foot-Notes in the evening on May 17 and a children’s parade with other activities on May 18.

May 26, 2013

June 6, 2013

Free First Thursday
Enjoy a free, guided “Twilight Tour of theOpen Air Division” at 6:30 p.m. A visit to the picturesque museum grounds is a wonderful summer evening activity in Decorah. Other tours offered at the museum on June 6 include the Museum’s Main Building at 10:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. and an Open Air Division tour at 1:30 p.m.

June 15, 2013

Dedication of Sigmund Aarseth Gathering Room

As a tribute to this talented artist, Vesterheim will rename the Gathering Room in the Amdal-Odland Heritage Center as the Sigmund Aarseth Gathering Room. Reception with program from 3:00-4:30 p.m.

July 4, 2013

July 26, 2013

Folk Art Banquet

Celebrate Norwegian folk art with great Norwegian and American artists.

July 26-27, 2013

July 26-27, 2013

Summer Youth Theater Production

Upstart Crow Theatreworks, ArtHaus, and Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum invite you to an original theatre production. Show times will be Friday, July 26, at 3:00 and 3:45 p.m. and Saturday, July 27, at 3:00, 3:45, and 4:30 p.m. in the museum’s Bethania Church at 113 North Mill Street. Admisson is free.

August 1, 2013

Free First Thursday
This is your chance to tour Vesterheim’s amazing storage facilities, where the majority of the collections are housed. An upcoming exhibition called Favorite Things is being planned 2014, and the curators want input from visitors. As part of this special event, we invite all visitors to tell us your favorite Vesterheim artifacts!

September 5, 2013

October 3, 2013

November 7, 2013

Free First Thursday
We will welcome winter and look forward to skiing with presenter Glenn Borreson, who will give a talk, From Telemark to Tamarack: Ski Jumping in Western Wisconsin, at 1:30 p.m. in the Gathering Room of the Amdal-Odland Heritage Center. We’ll also hold a ski-themed “Bonus Barnetimen” at 10 a.m., featuring Jan Brett’s book, Trouble With Trolls.

November 22-23, 2013

Deck the Tables

Celebrate the season with fantastic decorations, music, and food at the Hotel Winneshiek in Decorah, hosted by Decoarh Friends of Vesterheim.

December 5, 2013

Free First Thursday
Author Kathleen Ernst will present a special activity connected to her popular “Chloe Ellefsen” mystey series. If you haven’t heard, the fourth book in the series, due out later this year, is set at Vesterheim! More details about this event will be announced later.

December , 2012

Norwegian Christmas Weekend

This festive celebration features holiday traditions with a variety of music, demonstrations, folk art, stories, food, and hands-on experiences.