Handcrafted Norwegian and Norwegian-American folk art dating after 1900 to the present. Includes: rosemaling, woodcarving, weaving, needlework, knifemaking, and instruments.
What is in Vesterheim's Collections?
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Contemporary
Folk Art
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Furnishings
Objects chosen or custom-made to furnish public and private places. Includes: furniture, tableware, serving wares, textiles, altar paintings, and ceremonial artifacts.
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Historic Folk Art
Handcrafted Norwegian and Norwegian-American folk art dating before 1900. Includes: rosemaling, woodcarving, weaving, needlework, knifemaking, and instruments.
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Tools & Tech
Objects used for specific activities, including food preparation, agriculture, industries, transportation, and sports.
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Fine Art
Works of visual art by Norwegian immigrant and Norwegian-American artists. Includes: oil paintings, watercolor paintings, drawings, prints, and sculptures.
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Historic
Structures
Historic Structures
Buildings that exemplify or contrast Norwegian and Norwegian-American construction methods and forms. Find more information about Vesterheim’s Heritage Park on our Exhibit page.
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Clothing &
Accessories
Clothing & Accessories
Garments for everyday, special occasions, and occupational dress. Includes: folk costumes, fashionable dress, children’s clothing, Norwegian sweaters and other knit wear, and jewelry.
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Library Collections
and Archives
The library collections support the study of Norwegian-American history and culture. The archives documents the lives of Norwegian Americans, with a particular strength in historic photographs.
Research
Virtual Galleries
To make more of Vesterheim’s collections accessible, we are offering this sample of artifact images. Enjoy this peek at some of Vesterheim’s outstanding artifacts.
Civil War Database
This database contains information on Civil War soldiers born in Norway, plus many born in Sweden and Denmark. It also includes info on men from other U.S. wars.
Nordic Archives Catalog
Vesterheim shares an online catalog of its archival holdings with Luther College, called Nordic: Norwegian-American Digital Catalog.
Vesterheim's Collecting Policy
For its collection, Vesterheim Museum considers gifts of objects, library materials, and archives materials related to Norwegian and Norwegian-American culture or history, including:
- Objects brought by Norwegian immigrants.
- Objects made or used by Norwegian immigrants in the United States.
- Other objects made or used in the United States which represent the Norwegian-American experience.
- Books and periodicals that were brought by or read by Norwegian immigrants.
- Books and periodicals that were printed in Norwegian and published in the U.S.
- Books and periodicals that relate directly to subjects represented by Vesterheim’s object collection, i.e. folk art, Norwegian-American history.
- Photographs related to Norwegian-American history and experience.
- Archival material related directly to the history and operation of Vesterheim.
- Archival material related directly to artifacts in Vesterheim’s collection.
For more information, contact Vesterheim Collection Assistant Julie Hale at jhale@vesterheim.org.