Families visiting 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 be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The hours give families time to plan a visit around other Family Weekend activities, whether they want a guided tour, an independent visit or a combination of both.
Two guided tours are planned
The first guided tour is scheduled for 11 a.m. and will focus on the Museum Building. A second tour is planned for 1:30 p.m., with a focus on Heritage Park.
- 11 a.m.: Museum Building tour
- 1:30 p.m.: Heritage Park tour
Because the tours are scheduled at different times, visitors may be able to attend one or both. Guests who prefer to explore independently can visit during the museum’s Saturday hours.
Visitors may explore Vesterheim’s collection, heritage spaces and Vesterheim Commons on their own. A family could attend the Museum Building tour in the morning, visit Heritage Park later, explore between the tours or combine a guided experience with self-guided time.
Who qualifies for free admission?
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 someone who qualifies.
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 connection to Luther College dating to 1877
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, especially if their group includes guests outside the eligible categories.