June 24 – July 5, 2025

Commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the first organized emigration of Norwegians to the United States with Vesterheim in 2025! The single masted sloop, Restauration, left Stavanger on July 4, 1825, with 52 people on board. Often referred to as the “Sloopers,” they arrived in New York City harbor on October 9. Two hundred years later, a replica of that ship is going to recreate their journey. 

Join Vesterheim leader Rolf Svanoe along with expert local Norwegian guides for this tour through the fascinating history of Norway during the 1800s. We’ll begin in Oslo with a brief city tour and a visit to the Norsk Folkemuseum. We will also visit the Amerikalinjen Hotel, which was once the headquarters of the Amerikalinjen shipping company where many Norwegian emigrants began their trip to America with hopes for a better life.

Next, we visit the Norwegian Emigration Museum in Ottestad, the only museum and research center in Norway fully dedicated to Norwegian emigration history. 

Then we travel south to the Herregården in Larvik, the former home to one of Decorah’s most famous historical people, Elisabeth Koren. Her father was headmaster of the school in Larvik when she and her husband, Rev. U. V. Koren, emigrated. 

After an overnight in Kristiansand, we drive to Norway’s southernmost point for a tour of the Lindesnes Lighthouse. Then it’s on to Lista with its strong connection to the United States. We will attend the American Festival Parade held every year in Vanse, and make a brief visit to the American Emigration Museum in Kvinesdal. 

Our tour takes us along Norway’s west coast to the Utstein Monastery Hotel and home of the replica of the Restauration ship. We will meet with the Friends of the Restauration Association and also the Tysvær and Avaldsnes History Association. 

On July 4, we will join the celebrations in Stavanger as we watch the replica of the Restauration sail away on its recreation of the journey 200 years ago. The tour ends the following day with our hearts full of wonderful memories from our travels in Norway. 

Check back for a complete itinerary.