Families coming to Decorah for Luther College Family Weekend will have a museum option on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, as Vesterheim plans to offer complimentary admission to eligible Luther College students, faculty and staff, as well as Vesterheim members.
Vesterheim’s museum campus is scheduled to be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. that day. Visitors can plan for a guided tour or explore independently, allowing families to fit a museum visit around other Family Weekend activities.
Two tours are planned
Vesterheim has scheduled two guided tours during the day. The first begins at 11 a.m. and focuses on the Museum Building. The second starts at 1:30 p.m. and highlights Heritage Park.
- 11 a.m.: Museum Building tour
- 1:30 p.m.: Heritage Park tour
Because the tours take place at different times, visitors may be able to attend one or both, depending on their Luther College Family Weekend plans. Guests who would rather move through the museum at their own pace can choose a self-guided visit during the regular Saturday hours.
What visitors can see
Independent visitors can view Vesterheim’s collection, heritage spaces and Vesterheim Commons. Guests may select a guided tour, a self-guided visit or a combination of both options.
The schedule gives families several ways to organize the visit: a morning tour of the Museum Building, an afternoon look at Heritage Park, or independent exploration at any point between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Who qualifies for free admission?
The complimentary-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 groups or explain whether additional family or group members qualify for a discount. Families planning to attend with guests who are not Luther College students, faculty or staff or Vesterheim members should contact Vesterheim before traveling to Decorah. The museum can provide current admission information and explain whether other arrangements are available.
The event information also says Vesterheim’s relationship with Luther College dates to 1877, when the collection began at the college. For eligible visitors attending Family Weekend, the Sept. 19 schedule offers a museum visit tied to that longstanding connection, with tours and self-guided exploration available throughout the day.