Families coming to Decorah for Luther College Family Weekend will have a full-day museum option at Vesterheim on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. The museum is scheduled to open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., giving visitors time to take guided tours, explore independently or combine both options.
Free admission is planned for eligible Luther College students, faculty and staff, along with Vesterheim members. The benefit is not described as automatically covering every relative or guest traveling with an eligible visitor, so families should confirm admission details with the museum before arriving.
Two guided tours are scheduled
Vesterheim has planned two guided tours during the Saturday opening. The first is scheduled for 11 a.m. in the Museum Building. A second tour is planned for 1:30 p.m. at Heritage Park.
- 11 a.m.: Museum Building tour
- 1:30 p.m.: Heritage Park tour
The timing could allow visitors to attend both tours, with time between them to explore the museum. Guests who prefer a self-guided visit can move through Vesterheim at their own pace.
What visitors can see and what to confirm
Saturday access is scheduled to include Vesterheim’s collection, heritage spaces and Vesterheim Commons. That gives families the option of visiting before or after other Luther College Family Weekend activities in Decorah.
Vesterheim’s event information identifies Luther College students, faculty and staff and Vesterheim members as eligible for free admission. It does not provide a separate admission price for visitors outside those groups, and it does not say whether additional family members or guests will receive a discount.
Relatives or other guests who are not eligible Luther students, faculty or staff or Vesterheim members should contact Vesterheim before their visit. The museum recommends confirming current admission information and asking whether other arrangements are available.
Visitors should also verify that both tours remain available, especially if their group includes people who do not qualify for free admission. Admission eligibility, pricing for additional guests and tour availability may need to be confirmed before plans are finalized.
Vesterheim’s Luther College connection
The Family Weekend plans reflect Vesterheim’s longstanding relationship with Luther College. According to the event information, that connection dates to 1877, when the collection began at the college.
Vesterheim published the plans Aug. 23, 2026, and updated them Aug. 24. Decorah Today’s listing was published Aug. 24 and updated Aug. 25.