Families visiting Decorah for Luther College Family Weekend 2026 will have a free opportunity to explore Vesterheim on Saturday, Sept. 19. The museum will open its campus from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with free admission for eligible Luther-connected visitors and Vesterheim members.
The offer is available to Luther College students, faculty and staff, as well as Vesterheim museum members. Visitors can spend the day exploring the museum’s collection and campus, visiting heritage spaces, stopping at Vesterheim Commons and joining one of two scheduled guided tours.
Two Vesterheim tours are scheduled
The first guided option is a Museum Building tour at 11 a.m. The second is a Heritage Park tour at 1:30 p.m. The tours focus on different parts of the Vesterheim campus, allowing families to choose a late-morning or afternoon activity.
Visitors can also combine a guided tour with independent time in the museum. Vesterheim’s 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. schedule gives families flexibility to fit the museum into a broader Family Weekend itinerary and plan other activities before or after their visit.
Free admission is limited to eligible visitors
People who are not Luther College students, faculty or staff and who are not Vesterheim members should confirm admission details with the museum before making plans. The event information specifically identifies those Luther-connected groups and museum members as eligible for the free-admission offer.
The program is intended for visitors participating in Family Weekend activities in the Decorah community. For eligible guests, the Sept. 19 event offers a way to add Vesterheim to a campus-area visit while keeping the day’s schedule open for other plans.
The event also connects families with the shared history of Vesterheim and Luther College. According to Vesterheim’s event information, the collection began at Luther in 1877, providing additional background for visitors interested in the relationship between the college and the Decorah museum.
Families can select the 11 a.m. Museum Building tour, the 1:30 p.m. Heritage Park tour or independent museum time during the 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. opening. Visitors outside the listed eligible groups should check with Vesterheim for current admission information before attending.