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...
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...
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,...
Join Daughters of Norway Eva Nansen Lodge in Des Moines, Iowa, and Vesterheim Chief Curator Laurann Gilbertson! The meeting will be held in-person at Faith Lutheran Church, 10395 University Avenue, Clive, Iowa. Laurann will join the meeting remotely to share the presentation online. Visitors wishing to attend the in-person meeting should email lodge member Sheryl...
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...
For centuries, Norwegians have treasured the beauty of silver. Silver showed the prosperity of a family, and, according to folk belief, could cure sickness in humans and livestock, improve crops, and protect against storms and evil spirits. Brooches were more than simple shirt fasteners. This program (with slides) describes different styles of silver brooches, jewelry,...
From Merit Emstad who designed the first Selbu mitten to emigrants from the Nordic countries, knitters made an economic impact. These women helped give a sense of national pride, they hired women who at the time could not work out of the home, they set standards for the way we read knitting patterns, and they...
Vesterheim welcomes preschoolers and their caregivers back to the museum for Barnetimen Children’s Hour. The first program is Tuesday, September 19, at 10 a.m. Meet in the lobby of the museum’s Main Building to explore objects and stories in the museum’s collection and make fun art. September’s program will be about animals. Look for different...
Dr. Maren Johnson, Luther College’s Associate Professor of Nordic Studies and Torgerson Center for Nordic Studies Director, facilitates a regular bokprat, discussing Scandinavian authors and Scandinavian life. Join us in September as we discuss the brand-new novel The Weaver and the Witch Queen by Genevieve Gornichec. This spellbinding historical fiction novel combines Viking Age history and myth,...
Join Vesterheim to celebrate the opening of the new Commons building with numerous activities from September 23-October 1, both onsite and online! There will be free museum admission the entire week from September 23-October 1. • September 23 at 11:30 a.m. – Norway's Minister of Foreign Affairs Anniken Huitfeldt will visit Decorah in celebration of...
