Families coming to Decorah for Luther College Family Weekend will have a museum option on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, when Vesterheim plans to offer free admission to eligible Luther College students, faculty and staff, as well as Vesterheim members.
The museum is scheduled to welcome visitors from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The hours allow families to plan a visit around other Family Weekend activities, whether they prefer a guided tour, an independent visit or a combination of both.
Two guided tours are planned
Vesterheim has scheduled the first guided tour for 11 a.m. The tour will focus on the Museum Building. A second tour is planned 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 different times, visitors may be able to attend one or both. Guests who prefer to explore at their own pace can visit independently during the museum’s Saturday hours.
What families should know about admission
Independent visitors can explore Vesterheim’s collection, heritage spaces and Vesterheim Commons. Families might begin with the Museum Building tour in the morning, visit Heritage Park later, explore on their own between the scheduled tours, or combine guided and self-guided visits.
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 visitor.
Vesterheim’s event information does not list a separate admission price for visitors outside those eligible groups. It also 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 longstanding Luther College connection
The Family Weekend plans reflect Vesterheim’s longstanding connection with Luther College. According to the event information, that 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, particularly if their group includes guests outside the eligible categories.