Ongoing Exhibitions
Ongoing exhibitions in Vesterheim's Open Air Division are open from May 1 to October 31. Check here for information about the buildings.
Ongoing exhibitions in Vesterheim's main building include home life in 19th-century Norway, a 25-foot wooden sailboat Tradewind, an immigrant log house from 1853, and thousands of examples of Norwegian and Norwegian-American materials. You will enjoy displays of folk art that range from centuries-old woodcarving to beautiful contemporary rosemaling (decorative painting). Learn about Norwegian traditions and follow the immigrant story to see how Norwegian-Americans maintained their heritage in their vesterheim, their “western home.”
Museum's Main Building
First Floor
The Home in Norway
- Early home furnishings
- Folk costumes
- Cooking equipment
- Replica of a Norwegian home
The Atlantic Crossing
- Sailboat, Tradewind
- Norwegian fishing boat, Nordland
- Altar from the Norwegian Seamen’s Church in Brooklyn, NY
- Paintings
Second Floor
The Home in America
- Home furnishings
- Quilts and clothing
- Log home, Selland House
Wood and Its Decoration
- Chip carving, acanthus carving, dragon-style carving, kolrosing, burnt decoration, and much more
Rosemaling (decorative painting)
Historical and contemporary silver, glass, and ceramics
- Silver from Norway
- Bridal crowns
Third Floor
Anna Hong Gallery: Temporary Exhibitions–See exhibition calendar for current information
Textiles
- Textiles by Norwegians and Norwegian Americans
- Tools for textile production, including looms and spinning wheels
Basement
Norwegians and Norwegian-Americans in Armed Conflict
- Norwegians in the Civil War
- 99th Infantry Battalion and O.S.S. NORSO Group
Church Gallery
- Including the carved altar of Lars Christenson and an altar painting by Herbjørn Gausta
Immigrant at Leisure
- Children’s toys
- Sleds and skis
- Musical instruments
- Pipes and snuff boxes
The Norwegian-American Press
- Printing press and linotype machine
- Han Ola and Han Per comic strip