Viking Magazine - June 2015 - 46

Q&A
Preserving Treasures
Vesterheim: The National Norwegian-American Museum and
Heritage Center in Decorah, Iowa, connects people to their
heritage. BY SARA SCHLUETER
F
or 135 years, Vesterheim
has delighted, educated
and celebrated
Norwegian-American heritage
through artifacts, exhibitions
and cultural classes. It houses the
world's most extensive collection
of Norwegian-American
artifacts and USA Today
named Vesterheim one of
10 great places in the nation
to admire American folk
art. Viking caught up with
Vesterheim's chief curator,
Laurann Gilbertson, to learn
more about the museum.
Q What are some of
Vesterheim's most popular
collections?
A Vesterheim has collections
of fi ne art and pioneer material,
but it's our Norwegian folk art
that so many people come to
see. Selections of woodcarving,
decorative painting (rosemaling),
textiles and silver collections
are available online. Folk art is
always on view at Vesterheim,
and from time to time we try to
focus on a certain material or
technique to display.
Q How does Vesterheim
acquire artifacts?
A Most of the artifacts on
display in the main building and
in the Open Air Division have
been donated. In addition to the
many individuals in the United
States who have wanted to
preserve family objects and their
stories, we have received more
46 VIKING JUNE 2015
sonsofnorway.com
than 400 items from museums in
Norway. Arriving in the 1920s
and 1930s, these were gifts to
the Norwegian men and women
in America.
Q How does Vesterheim help
preserve Nordic-American
culture?
A One of the reasons
Vesterheim has been important
in preserving culture is that we
have been around for more than
135 years. Our collection began
on the campus of Luther College
in Decorah, Iowa, in 1877.
The museum became a natural
repository for items that might
otherwise have been thrown
away because they were oldfashioned.
We have also placed
a high priority on preserving
Norwegian-American traditions
as they have evolved over time.
Q What classes and programs
does Vesterheim offer to keep
people connected to their
heritage?
A Vesterheim has a vibrant
education program for adults
and youth. For adults, we offer
classes in folk arts, including
knitting, weaving, woodcarving,
woodworking, rosemaling,
knifemaking and cooking. A
highlight for many students is
the opportunity to study the
collection and look behind
the scenes into storage. Area
fourth-grade students spend six
weeks at Vesterheim each spring
as part of a pioneer immersion
program. They try pioneer
activities and foods, and keep a
journal as an immigrant.
Q What are some ways
people can donate to the
Vesterheim?
A For information on gifts,
membership and volunteering,
please see our website. If you are
considering donating an artifact,
please see the Collecting Policy
on the website and contact staff
for instructions.
Q What are some upcoming
exhibitions or special
collections that visitors can
look forward to?
A In Decorah this August, we
open an exhibit on Norwegian
sweaters and an exhibit on
Scandinavian fl at-plane style
woodcarving in September. Our
exhibition " Sacred Symbols:
The Folk Art of Norway " went
to the new Norwegian Heritage
Center in Stoughton, Wis.,
this May.
Founded: 1877 at
Luther College in
Decorah, Iowa
Collections: 24,000
artifacts, 12 historical
buildings
Education: Folk
Art School and The
Fladager Reference
Library
Check out
vesterheim.org for
information on classes,
tours and more.
See more from the
interview on June 15 at
sonsofnorway.com/
blog.
PHOTO BY LAURANN GILBERTSON
http://www.vesterheim.org http://www.sonsofnorway.com/ http://www.sonsofnorway.com
Viking Magazine - June 2015

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