Families visiting Decorah for Luther College Family Weekend 2026 will have a museum option at no admission charge if they meet Vesterheim’s eligibility requirements. On Saturday, Sept. 19, Vesterheim will welcome Luther College students, faculty and staff, along with Vesterheim members, for free admission and two scheduled guided tours.
Vesterheim will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., giving eligible visitors much of the day to explore the museum campus. The visit can include time with the collection, heritage spaces and Vesterheim Commons, as well as a choice between a late-morning or afternoon guided tour.
Two guided tours are planned
The first option is a Museum Building tour at 11 a.m. The second is a Heritage Park tour at 1:30 p.m. Each tour covers a different part of the Vesterheim campus, allowing families to select the time and setting that best fits their Family Weekend schedule.
Visitors may also combine a guided tour with independent time in the museum. Because Vesterheim will remain open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., families can fit the museum into a broader day of Luther College Family Weekend activities or other plans in the Decorah community.
Who qualifies for free admission?
The free-admission offer applies specifically to Luther College students, faculty and staff, and Vesterheim museum members. The event information does not say that every person in a visiting family or group receives free admission automatically when one person qualifies.
Guests who are not part of one of the listed groups should confirm admission details with Vesterheim before traveling to the museum. Checking ahead may help families determine how admission will work for non-eligible members of their party and plan their visit accordingly.
A connection between Luther and Vesterheim
The Family Weekend offering also reflects the institutions’ shared history. According to the event information, Vesterheim’s collection began at Luther in 1877, giving visitors additional historical context for the relationship between the college and the Decorah museum.
Eligible guests planning a Family Weekend visit can choose 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 eligibility groups should contact Vesterheim for current admission information before attending.