Vesterheim Forging Studio Nears Completion
Vesterheim President/CEO Chris Johnson gives a video tour of the new forging studio and what it will offer upcoming classes!
The bulk of the construction was achieved with the help of an anonymous grant source. An additional anonymous Norwegian donor has issued a matching challenge to inspire others to financially support the completion of this project.
This generous donor will match every donation to the forging studio, dollar for dollar up to $50,000, given by December 31, 2024. Donate online (add Forging Studio to the notes), or contact Diane Wagner, Vice President of Donor Relations, at 563-382-9681.
With the completion of a new forging studio, Vesterheim is beginning an exciting new chapter in metalworking and forging education. Knifemaking and forging have always been part of Norwegian and Norwegian-American culture and handcraft. For decades, Vesterheim has worked to ensure that these historic handcrafts are practiced and handed down to future generations by offering both on and off-site classes.
Earlier this year Vesterheim purchased the building located at 418 W. Water Street, right across the street from the museum’s folk art school class location, the Westby-Torgerson Education Center. The additional building is an ideal space for a forging classroom because of the poured concrete floors, walls, and ceiling in the basement.
Over the past several months, work has been done to raise and level the floor, replace the stairs, and update the exterior access. The new forging studio includes four propane-fueled forges that will accommodate a total of eight students, safety shut-off switches, and a ventilation system that will pump air up and out the west side of the building to ensure that it doesn’t simply recirculate back into the building. There is also a large garage door that opens to a green space behind the building so students can take advantage of being outside.
Contractors working on the project are from the local area and include architect Keith Koch, Finholt Construction, Caspers Plumbing & Heating Inc., and Decorah Electric. All plans were approved by the Decorah City Planning and Zoning Commission.
Construction will be completed at the beginning of the year with forging classes beginning in late spring. The announcement and registration for these classes opens February 20.
Andrew Ellingsen, Director of Folk Art Education at Vesterheim, said, “We are excited to see the traditional Scandinavian handcrafts of metalworking and forging move into their new home – their own safe forging studio! We have missed offering on-site forging classes over the past several years and look forward to welcoming international instructors and students back to campus.”
Following the completion of the forging studio, Vesterheim will focus on plans and renovation for the first floor of the building.