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,...

Sacred Symbols: The Folk Art of Norway Presentation

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...

Free Second Saturday – September

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...

The Power of Silver: Traditional Norwegian Jewelry

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,...

Knitting Nordic Heroes

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...