Barnetimen Children’s Hour – October

Vesterheim welcomes preschoolers and their caregivers to Barnetimen Children’s Hour. Meet in the lobby of the museum’s Main Building to explore the museum and see how people have captured images of the Northern Lights in paintings, weavings, and photographs. Participants will make a chalk drawing inspired by this natural phenomenon before enjoying a snack. Barnetimen...

Book Signing with Patrice Johnson

Meet historian, chef, and author Patrice Johnson for a book signing of Jul: Swedish American Holiday Traditions and Land of a 10,000 Plates! Johnson, AKA Nordic food geek and meatball historian, is a cultural communicator from the Twin Cities specializing in Nordic foodways. She is the author of numerous publications, writes a weekly food and...

Bokprat: Hunger by Knut Hamsun

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. In October, we'll discuss Hunger, Nobel Prize winner Knut Hamsun's first novel. Set in late 19th-century Kristiania (now Oslo), the novel recounts the adventures of a starving young man...

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...