Families coming to Decorah for Luther College Family Weekend will have a museum option on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, as Vesterheim plans free admission for eligible Luther College students, faculty and staff, as well as Vesterheim members.
Vesterheim is scheduled to welcome visitors from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The museum’s plans allow visitors to join a guided tour or explore independently, giving families flexibility to fit a visit around other Family Weekend activities.
Two guided tours are planned
The first tour is scheduled for 11 a.m. and will focus on the Museum Building. A second tour is set for 1:30 p.m. and will highlight Heritage Park.
- 11 a.m.: Museum Building tour
- 1:30 p.m.: Heritage Park tour
Because the tours begin at separate times, visitors may be able to attend one or both. Guests who prefer to set their own pace can make a self-guided visit during the museum’s Saturday hours.
What families can see at Vesterheim
Independent visitors can explore Vesterheim’s collection, heritage spaces and Vesterheim Commons. Families could start with the Museum Building tour in the morning, visit Heritage Park later, explore on their own between the two scheduled tours or combine guided and self-guided options.
The free-admission offer is limited to the groups identified in Vesterheim’s event information: Luther College students, faculty and staff, and Vesterheim members. The offer does not automatically extend to every relative or guest accompanying an eligible person.
Vesterheim’s event information does not list a separate admission price for visitors outside those eligible groups, and it does not explain whether additional family or group members qualify for a discount. Families bringing guests who are not eligible Luther College students, faculty and staff or Vesterheim members should contact Vesterheim before traveling to Decorah to confirm current admission information and ask whether other arrangements are available.
A connection to Luther College dating to 1877
The Family Weekend plans also reflect Vesterheim’s longstanding connection with Luther College. According to the event information, the relationship dates to 1877, when the collection began at the college.
Vesterheim published the plans Aug. 23, 2026, and updated them Aug. 24. Visitors should confirm admission details and tour availability with the museum before making plans, especially when a group includes guests outside the eligible categories.