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 the opportunity to attend guided tours, explore on their own or combine both approaches.

Free admission is planned for eligible Luther College students, faculty and staff, along with Vesterheim members. The available event information does not say that the benefit automatically extends to every relative or guest traveling with an eligible visitor.

Two tours planned during the Saturday visit

Vesterheim has scheduled two guided tours during the opening. The first is set for 11 a.m. in the Museum Building. The second 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 may allow visitors to attend both tours while spending the intervening time exploring the museum. Guests who would rather move at their own pace can choose a self-guided visit instead.

What visitors should check before arriving

Saturday access is scheduled to include Vesterheim’s collection, heritage spaces and Vesterheim Commons. Families can plan a museum visit before or after other Luther College Family Weekend activities in Decorah.

Visitors who are not eligible Luther students, faculty or staff or Vesterheim members should contact Vesterheim before arriving. The event information does not provide a separate admission price for those visitors, and it does not state whether additional family members or guests will receive a discount.

That means admission eligibility, pricing for additional guests and tour availability may need to be confirmed before plans are finalized. Visitors should also verify that both tours remain available, especially if their group includes people who do not qualify for free admission.

A connection to Luther College dating to 1877

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.