In Trunks, Hands, and Hearts

Join the Daughters of Norway Eva Nansen Lodge and Vesterheim Collection Manager Jennifer Kovarik to explore the immigrant experience through stories associated with artifacts in Vesterheim’s collection. Between 1825 and 1980, nearly one million Norwegians left for new lives in America. We'll consider the reasons for leaving, what they brought, and where they settled. This...

Vesterheim Filmprat: John, the Last Cowboy Viewing

[vc_custom_heading text="Screening on Friday, November 10 (7:00-9:00 pm CT) Discussion on Saturday, November 11 (1:00 pm-2:15 pm CT)" use_theme_fonts="yes" el_class="medium-heading bold"][vc_custom_heading text="Location: Film viewing is hybrid – in-person in Vesterheim Commons or online on Zoom. Discussion is online on Zoom." font_container="tag:h3|text_align:left" use_theme_fonts="yes" el_class="small-heading teal"]In a twist on Vesterheim's monthly bokprat discussions led by Dr. Maren...

Vesterheim Filmprat: John, the Last Cowboy Viewing

[vc_custom_heading text="Screening on Friday, November 10 (7:00-9:00 pm CT) Discussion on Saturday, November 11 (1:00 pm-2:15 pm CT)" use_theme_fonts="yes" el_class="medium-heading bold"][vc_custom_heading text="Location: Film viewing is hybrid – in-person in Vesterheim Commons or online on Zoom. Discussion is online on Zoom." font_container="tag:h3|text_align:left" use_theme_fonts="yes" el_class="small-heading teal"]In a twist on Vesterheim's monthly bokprat discussions led by Dr. Maren...

Exploring Viksdal Style Rosemaling

Viksdalmaling is not fanciful with Telemark scrolls and imaginative flowers but instead with twisted tongues, elongated teardrops, moons and circles, and plenty of crosses. Viksdalmaling is rich in symbolism and history, yet perhaps on the verge of extinction again. This presentation is about history, trade, design, color, and symbolism in Viksdal rosemaling. Viksdal design is about the...

The Norwegian Mayflower: The Voyage of the Restauration

Join Sons of Norway Restauration Lodge and former Vesterheim Trustee Dale Goodman! The meeting will be held in-person at Ascension Lutheran Church, 2210 Grand Avenue in Marion, Iowa. Dale will join the meeting in-person, and visitors have the option to join in-person or remotely. Visitors wishing to attend the meeting, either in-person or remotely, should...

Vesterheim From Home: Member Event 2023

Cozy up with a cup of cocoa or tea and get ready for the holiday season with Vesterheim. Vesterheim members will enjoy: • An exciting insider update from Vesterheim President Chris Johnson, including the latest news the Vesterheim Commons opening and dedication. • A special presentation by goldsmith Liz Bucheit, winner of the Best of Show award...

Opening Reception and Lecture for Seven Summers Exhibition

Vesterheim invites everyone to an opening reception, gallery walk, and lecture for the exhibit Seven Summers on November 18, 2023, from 1:00-3:00 p.m. The event will begin with a gallery walk-through of the exhibit with artist Arna Rennan at 1:00 p.m. in Vesterheim Main Building. At 2:00 p.m., Arna will present Per Spelman Had Only...

Making Folk Costumes

Join Barbro Tronhuus Storlien for a lecture on Norwegian folk costumes. Norway has a variety of more than 450 different folk costumes, and many of these have intricate embroideries. Many of the folk costumes are easily recognizable while others are more unknown. In this lecture, Storlien will talk about the differences and similarities between the Norwegian...

Barnetimen Children’s Hour – November

Vesterheim welcomes preschoolers and their caregivers to Barnetimen Children’s Hour. Meet in the lobby of the museum’s Main Building to explore objects and stories in the museum’s collection and make fun art. During the November program, explore the exhibit Embellishment and discover the many ways artists and makers embellish and decorate useful objects to make them...

FamilieTid: Tomte and Nisse Christmas Stories

Get cozy this Christmas with stories about nisse and tomte, the mythological creatures from Norwegian and Swedish folklore today typically associated with the winter solstice and the Christmas season. These hidden folk bring good luck to the farm all year long, take care of the animals (in the woods as well as the barn), and keep mischievous trolls at...