Families coming to Decorah for Luther College Family Weekend will have a museum option on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, when Vesterheim plans complimentary admission for eligible Luther College students, faculty and staff, as well as Vesterheim members. The museum will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., giving visitors time to fit a visit around other Family Weekend plans.
The offer does not automatically extend to every relative or guest accompanying an eligible visitor. Vesterheim’s event information does not list a separate admission price for visitors outside the eligible groups or explain whether other family or group members qualify for a discount. Those visitors should confirm admission details with Vesterheim before traveling to Decorah.
Two tours are planned
Vesterheim will offer two guided tours during the day, with each focusing on a different part of the museum campus:
- 11 a.m.: Museum Building tour
- 1:30 p.m.: Heritage Park tour
The morning tour will focus on the Museum Building, while the afternoon program will center on Heritage Park. Because the tours are scheduled separately, families may be able to attend one or both, depending on their plans.
Self-guided visits also available
Visitors who prefer to explore independently can use Vesterheim’s regular Saturday hours to see the museum’s collection, heritage spaces and Vesterheim Commons. Guests may choose a guided tour, a self-guided visit or a combination of both.
The event information says Vesterheim’s relationship with Luther College reaches back to 1877, when the collection began at Luther. The Family Weekend schedule offers eligible visitors several ways to include the museum in their time in Decorah: a morning Museum Building tour, an afternoon Heritage Park tour or independent exploration between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Families planning to attend with guests who are not Luther College students, faculty or staff or Vesterheim members should contact Vesterheim in advance for current admission information and any available arrangements.