Family Book Walk: Seven Ways to Trick a Troll

This summer, get your family outside to explore Decorah's beautiful parks and experience the joy of reading together! For seven weeks, in seven different parks, enjoy Lise Lunge-Larsen's Seven Ways to Trick a Troll. As you read, your family will learn how the best things about being human (patience, kindness, courage, and quick thinking) are...

Dressing the Wise and Foolish Virgins: What Tapestry Can Teach Us

Join tapestry weaving instructor Laura Berlage of Erindale Tapestry Studio on a deep dive into the beloved Norwegian billedvev tapestry “The Wise and Foolish Virgins” as she shares how the simple question “What are these women wearing?” transformed into an enchanted journey. Learn how this visual theme intersects Norwegian-Danish history, climate change, the plague, religion, secular expectations...

Family Book Walk: Seven Ways to Trick a Troll

This summer, get your family outside to explore Decorah's beautiful parks and experience the joy of reading together! For seven weeks, in seven different parks, enjoy Lise Lunge-Larsen's Seven Ways to Trick a Troll. As you read, your family will learn how the best things about being human (patience, kindness, courage, and quick thinking) are...

Family Book Walk: Seven Ways to Trick a Troll

This summer, get your family outside to explore Decorah's beautiful parks and experience the joy of reading together! For seven weeks, in seven different parks, enjoy Lise Lunge-Larsen's Seven Ways to Trick a Troll. As you read, your family will learn how the best things about being human (patience, kindness, courage, and quick thinking) are...

The Norwegian Mayflower: The Voyage of the Restauration

Join Sons of Norway Nor-Win Lodge in Winona, MN, and former Vesterheim Trustee Dale Goodman! This meeting will be in-person and everyone is invited to attend. In the period beginning in 1825 and for about 100 years following, nearly 40% of the population of Norway – more than 800,000 Norwegians – immigrated to the United...

Embellishment Exhibit Reception

Gather together as a community of folk artists and folk art enthusiasts to celebrate the exhibit Embellishment and kick off Decorah's Nordic Fest weekend! Refreshments will be served. This special folk art show focuses on the importance of detail in folk art and features 71 pieces by contemporary folk artists from around the country! This...

Free Second Saturday – August

Vesterheim offers free admission the second Saturday of every month. From June through October, there will be an indoor tour of the museum’s Main Building at 11:00 a.m. and an outdoor tour of Heritage Park at 1:30 p.m. Come and enjoy the museum! Free Second Saturdays are supported in part by a generous gift to...

FamilieTid: Stories and Songs

All of Ross Sutter’s grandparents came from Sweden except for his mother’s mother, Esther Eastman, who was born in Minnesota and lived there her whole life. Ross visited her often in her high-rise apartment building in Minneapolis, and during each and every visit, she would tell him stories, sing him songs, and give him lots...

Innovators & Inventors Presentation

Join Sons of Norway Marsteinen Lodge in Des Moines, IA, and Vesterheim Chief Curator Laurann Gilbertson! This meeting will be in-person and everyone is invited to attend. Visitors wishing to attend should email lodge member Marie Quanbeck at mhquanbeck@gmail.com to RSVP. Vesterheim’s recent exhibition, Innovators & Inventors, shares the stories of problem solvers and creative...

Heritage Grains in Contemporary Agriculture

Scandinavians have been using small grains like rye and barley since the Viking age, but how did these grains end up as part of the Norwegian Immigrant story? Join expert Benji Nichols for a look back at Scandic bread culture and how a resurgence in “artisan” grains is fueling a whole new generation of bakers,...