Families visiting Decorah for Luther College Family Weekend will have a museum option available throughout Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, when Vesterheim plans to offer free admission to eligible Luther College community members and Vesterheim members. The museum is scheduled to be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The offer is intended to give visitors flexibility during a busy Family Weekend. Guests may join a guided tour, explore Vesterheim independently or combine the two. The Saturday opening will include access to the museum’s collection, heritage spaces and Vesterheim Commons.
Two guided tours are planned
Vesterheim has scheduled two tours at separate locations during the day. The first begins at 11 a.m. in the Museum Building. The second starts at 1:30 p.m. at Heritage Park.
- 11 a.m.: Museum Building tour
- 1:30 p.m.: Heritage Park tour
The spacing between the programs may allow visitors to attend both. A family could start with the Museum Building tour, spend the time between programs exploring the museum and its exhibits, then continue to Heritage Park for the afternoon tour.
Visitors who do not want a guided experience can also plan a self-guided visit. That option may make it easier for families to fit Vesterheim around other Luther Family Weekend activities while still spending time in the museum’s exhibits and heritage spaces.
Who receives free admission?
Vesterheim’s free-admission offer applies to the groups identified in the event information: Luther College students, faculty and staff, and Vesterheim members. The offer does not automatically cover every relative or guest accompanying someone who qualifies.
The event information does not list a separate admission price for visitors outside those categories, and it does not state whether additional family or group members will receive a discount. Families bringing guests who are not eligible Luther College students, faculty or staff or Vesterheim members should contact Vesterheim before traveling to Decorah.
The museum recommends confirming current admission details and asking whether other arrangements are available. Visitors should also verify tour availability before making plans, particularly when their group includes guests who do not qualify for free admission.
A relationship with Luther College dating to 1877
The Family Weekend program reflects the longstanding connection between Vesterheim and 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. Admission eligibility, pricing information for additional guests and tour availability should be confirmed with the museum before the visit.