Volunteer Opportunities

2008 Spring Volunteer Orientation Schedule

 

Vesterheim’s annual orientation series offers opportunities to learn about the museum, its collections, and its mission. All programs are free and open to the public.

Each of the programs in the series can serve either as an introduction or as a refresher according to Martha Griesheimer, Vesterheim’s coordinator of volunteers. “Everyone is invited to take advantage of these programs designed especially as a lifelong learning benefit for those who offer their time to the museum,” she said.

For more information contact Martha Griesheimer, volunteer coordinator, at 563-382-9681 ext. 230 or info@vesterheim.org.

April 6, 2:00 p.m.
1825-1925: The First Century of Norwegian Immigration
Ann Gesme, author of Between Rocks and Hard Places (1993) and member of Vesterheim’s Founders Council, presents a slide show on the historic contexts and experiences of Norwegian immigration.
Gathering Room of the Amdal-Odland Heritage Center. Refreshments will be served.

April 6-9
Guide Training Week
Full schedule available upon request. Contact Martha Griesheimer.

April 7, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Museum Tour with Folk Art Emphasis
Curator Tova Brandt gives a 45-minute tour of the museum’s exhibitions, highlighting the extensive collections of folk art.
Meet in the lobby of the museum’s main building.

April 16, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Open Air Division Tour
Tour the buildings of the Open Air Division with a team of volunteer guides. Meet in the lobby of the museum’s main building. Refreshments will be served.

April 22, 9:00 a.m.-noon
Vesterheim’s Deep Collections: The Storage Facilities Tour
Curatorial staff offer a close-up look at the storage areas that house the majority of Vesterheim’s collections, including the Bauder-Landsgard Collections Study Center.
Meet in the Hauge Gallery, first floor of the Westby-Torgerson Education Center. Refreshments will be served.

June 5, 7:00 p.m.
Woodworking Traditions in the Old World and the New
Curator Tova Brandt gives an overview of woodworking traditions in Norwegian and Norwegian-American culture. This presentation highlights the Fire and Wood and Kubbestol: From Seating to Symbol exhibitions on view in the museum’s main building through March 29, 2009.
Gathering Room of the Amdal-Odland Heritage Center. Refreshments will be served.

June 21, 9:00 a.m.-noon
Original Sites Tour
This is a driving tour of the rural neighborhood south and east of Decorah and the original sites of three buildings in the Open Air Division. A visit to the Jacobson Farmstead is also included. All volunteers and guests are welcome. If there is sufficient interest, a Northeast Iowa Regional Transit Bus will be available for transportation. Otherwise, carpooling will be arranged. Maps will be provided. RSVP to Martha Griesheimer by June 20.