Decorah families will have a chance to visit Vesterheim without paying admission on Saturday, Aug. 8, when the museum holds its monthly Free Second Saturday program. The event combines all-day museum access with a hands-on Norwegian decorative-art activity for families.
Vesterheim will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the event. The featured rosemaling activity is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., giving visitors a three-hour window to create their own pattern while exploring the museum.
What to know about the event
- Event: Free Second Saturday
- Date: Saturday, Aug. 8
- Museum hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Rosemaling activity: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Admission: Free
Rosemaling is a traditional Norwegian decorative-art design. The family activity will focus on creating a rosemaling pattern, offering participants an introduction to the art form alongside access to Vesterheim’s museum offerings.
A recurring opportunity at Vesterheim
Free Second Saturday is held on the second Saturday of each month, according to the supplied event information. The recurring program pairs free admission with family activities, creating an opportunity for local residents and visitors to experience the Decorah museum without an admission charge.
The event information presents the program as a free activity for families, but the supplied material contains conflicting publication details: the article metadata lists publication and update dates of Aug. 22, 2026, while the text says the event information was published Aug. 7, 2026, and updated Aug. 11, 2026. Readers should verify the date and schedule with Vesterheim before making plans if details have changed.