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...
Enjoy Vesterheim’s exhibition, Sámi Dreams: Portraits of Resilience in the Norwegian Arctic, from home with an online presentation by exhibit curator Randall Hyman! During the talk, Randall will tell the stories behind the pictures and describe the portrait sitters, their interviews, their role in the overall theme of the exhibit, and how the photos were...
Be transported back in time through words and photos from a 10-week-long trip Andrew and Elise Hoiness took to Norway in 1908. Using visuals from postcards as well as the messages in those and in letters home to family members in Iowa, you will get a sense of the realities of travel at the time...
The Lofoten Islands are a surreal seascape of soaring, snow-speckled peaks rising steeply from deep fjords, white sand beaches, and aquamarine bays. Amidst this natural splendor are historic fishing villages, small cities, and picturesque farms – all bathed in 24-hour daylight during summer months and forever changing in the moody weather of the islands’ arctic...
Join Vesterheim to celebrate the opening of the new Commons building with numerous activities from Sept 23-October 1, both onsite and online! There will be free museum admission the entire week from September 23-October 1. • September 30 at 1:30 p.m. – The week's events culminate in the public dedication for the Commons on Water...
Get ready for Vesterheim's 2023 Benefit Auction! Items are available to view now here. This year, the auction includes 78 items of one-of-a-kind folk-art by artists working in the Norwegian tradition. Don't forget the chance to win the incredible getaways offered – an 8-day European River Cruise for two in 2024 from Viking, or a...
