Families traveling to Decorah for Luther College Family Weekend will have a full-day museum option on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. Vesterheim is scheduled to offer free admission to eligible Luther College students, faculty and staff, as well as Vesterheim members.
The museum plans to open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors can choose between a guided experience, an independent visit or a combination of both while fitting Vesterheim into a larger Family Weekend schedule.
Two guided tours are planned
Vesterheim has scheduled one tour in the Museum Building at 11 a.m. and a second at Heritage Park at 1:30 p.m. The timing may allow visitors to attend both programs.
- 11 a.m.: Museum Building tour
- 1:30 p.m.: Heritage Park tour
A visitor could begin with the Museum Building tour, spend time exploring Vesterheim’s exhibits and collection, and then continue to Heritage Park for the afternoon program. Visitors who prefer a self-guided experience can move through the museum at their own pace.
Saturday access is scheduled to include the museum’s collection, heritage spaces and Vesterheim Commons. The planned hours provide families with time to visit before or after other activities connected to Luther College’s Family Weekend.
Who can enter free?
The free-admission offer is specifically identified for Luther College students, faculty and staff, along with Vesterheim members. It does not automatically include every relative or guest accompanying an eligible person.
Event information does not list a separate admission price for visitors outside those categories, nor does it say whether additional family or group members will receive a discount. Families traveling with guests who are not eligible Luther students, faculty or staff or Vesterheim members should contact Vesterheim before coming to Decorah.
The museum recommends confirming current admission information and asking whether other arrangements are available. Visitors should also verify that the tours remain available before finalizing their plans, particularly if their group includes people who do not qualify for free admission.
A relationship with Luther College dating to 1877
The Family Weekend program reflects a 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. Because eligibility, pricing for additional guests and tour availability may require confirmation, visitors should check with the museum before making the trip.