Mission
Building community and creating experiences inspired by Norwegian-American stories and folk art.
Vesterheim creates an environment that fosters boundless learning, connecting, sharing, preserving, and community.
Congratulations to the Vesterheim community, near and far, as we celebrate the completion of the Commons, a place that celebrates our strong roots and that will fuel our growth to a bold future.
On behalf of our Board of Trustees and staff, we express gratitude and appreciation to all who generously gave their time, talents, and gifts to ensure this project’s success.
Thank you to:
• Our predecessors, the staff and trustees who acquired the property that is centrally located on the Vesterheim block connecting the museum to the Westby-Torgerson Education Center and Heritage Park to Water Street.
• The visionaries who imagined a gathering space visible from Water Street, welcoming visitors to Vesterheim and inviting them to attend a lecture, concert, pop-up folk art class, or special event. They also imagined a “wow” factor making the Vesterheim experience impactful and memorable.
• The design team, beginning with Snøhetta, the lead architect with roots in Norway and an impressive global presence whose holistic design approach honors our heritage and is forward thinking. That approach is demonstrated throughout the Commons: the historic limestone-brick wall restored and incorporated as part of the building; the stunning threestory window that represents the limestone bluff striations of our driftless region, and the sustainably-sourced mass timber construction—all within the context of contemporary Scandinavian function and design. We are grateful to BNIM, the architect of record and consultants who transformed our campus, connecting the museum’s collection to the Folk Art School, the indoors to the outdoors, and the old to new.
• The construction team, led by McGough with their strong regional ties and local artisans, craftspeople, and companies who built the mass timber columns, formed the concrete foundation and walls, carefully laid the custom bricks, and integrated a state-of-the-art digital production studio that will support the programs and exhibitions in our bold future.
• Our Vesterheim community reaching across all 50 states and across the globe to 30 countries. This outreach will be enhanced by the Commons’ digital production studio expanding our capabilities to reach new audiences.
• Decorah, including the businesses, civic leadership, and residents who believed in this project and embraced its possibilities as an integral part of the downtown experience and vitality.
• Norway, the government and specifically its Embassy in Washington, D.C., whose staff have worked with Vesterheim to uplift the Norwegian-American experience and the shared values that strengthen our relationship with the country today.
• Our donors who make all things possible at Vesterheim.
Yes, construction of the Commons is complete, but we are just beginning to build. Our bold future will enhance Vesterheim and enrich our mission to build community and create experiences based on Norwegian-American stories, artifacts, and folk art—now and for generations that follow us.
Tusen takk, Ruth Ann Schultz Vesterheim Board Chair
Chris Johnson Vesterheim President/CEO
It’s such a pleasure to finally get to congratulate Vesterheim on its impressive new Commons building. I have enjoyed following along with the construction progress during my time in the U.S., and now opening day has finally arrived—how exciting!
Vesterheim Commons will be a versatile space, providing many different things to a variety of people. First and foremost, it will be a place for community. The Commons offers a beautiful gathering area where guests can meet and reflect on Norwegian contributions to the past, present, and future. Everyone who passes through Vesterheim will become part of this community while they are there, united by their interest in Norwegian heritage, culture, and society.
The building’s other benefits are numerous—a digital production studio, a gallery space, an artifact collection study room, and much more. The simultaneously thoughtful and cutting-edge architecture designed by the Norwegian firm Snøhetta provides a glimpse of Norway in 2023, even while many of the exhibits inside focus on the past.
These recent additions are helping cement the northeastern Iowa region as a destination for all who wish to explore Norwegian and Norwegian-American culture. Decorah and Vesterheim also wonderfully exemplify the relationship between our two countries— the history we share and the strong bond we continue to enjoy today. We are proud allies who share so many of the same values and hopes for the future, and Vesterheim stands testament to that.
I look forward to being able to experience the Commons and all of its offerings for myself. Congratulations, Vesterheim— and vi ses snart!
Ambassador Anniken Krutnes Norway’s Ambassador to the United States
Welcome to the Vesterheim Commons Grand Opening Ceremony in Decorah! While I am sorry I cannot be with you all in person, I am honored to have the opportunity to share a few words.
Because of the hard work of folks at Vesterheim, the opening of the new Commons brings many new cultural opportunities for people to connect with their Norwegian background. Decorah has such a rich history that is intertwined with Norwegian culture, and it is essential to remember and celebrate this within the community.
Norwegian culture has been preserved in Decorah since an early collection of artifacts began at the local Luther College in 1877. The culture of Norwegian-Americans continues to be highlighted throughout the Decorah community at Vesterheim. I am proud to say that the museum hosts one of the most comprehensive collections dedicated to a single immigrant group in the country.
I would also like to thank Norwegian Ambassador Anniken Krutnes for her involvement in the Vesterheim community and for helping Iowans connect to their cultural heritage. Her presence and continued work with the museum is appreciated by everyone involved.
It’s projects like these that preserve our history and help communities across our state to grow and prosper. I’m so grateful to everyone who has played a part in making today possible.
May God bless all of you, and may God bless our great state.
Joni K. Ernst United States SenatorAs Mayor of Decorah, I would like to extend sincere congratulations to the Vesterheim Board of Trustees and Staff on the successful completion and dedication of the beautiful new Vesterheim Commons.
On behalf of the City of Decorah, thank you to Vesterheim for investing in our beautiful community with the addition of Heritage Park in 2021, and now with the opening of Vesterheim Commons in 2023. Both are welcoming additions to our city, creating community spaces for people to connect with each other. It has been an honor to work with Vesterheim, the architects, and contractors to bring both of these projects to life, and we are especially grateful for Vesterheim’s commitment to use local contractors, businesses, and artisans for these projects, further investing in our community.
Decorah is proud to be home to Vesterheim and now, with the addition of Vesterheim Commons, we are honored to say that Decorah has the unique distinction of being the first building in the State of Iowa designed by the world-renowned architectural firm Snøhetta. The design for this stunning new cultural gathering space showcases the uniqueness and beauty of Decorah’s natural surroundings with a focus on sustainability.
Decorah has grown to be a sought-after tourism destination and Vesterheim has been a key partner and economic catalyst for our community, drawing guests from all over the globe. We are confident and excited to see how Vesterheim Commons will help Vesterheim assist in opening economic and cultural doors for all.
Lorraine Borowski Mayor of Decorah
If American City Bureau (ACB) were to point to an example of what we mean by “building a culture of philanthropy,” we could confidently point to Vesterheim and its Strong Roots | Bold Future Campaign. This campaign has been much more than adding a beautiful outdoor exhibit space in Heritage Park or the stunning Vesterheim Commons. This campaign has been about repositioning the museum and Folk Art School in the Decorah community and among Vesterheim’s members and friends. It has been about creating new experiences for visitors, both in person and online. And of course, it has been about giving donors the opportunity to invest in something remarkable. Congratulations to the staff, trustees, donors, designers, and contractors for coming together to elevate the Vesterheim experience. Your vision, care, discipline, and passion are inspiring. It has been a great privilege for ACB to partner with you on this campaign and to now celebrate the dedication of Vesterheim Commons.
Leslie Biggens Mollsen, President Robert Hotz, Vice President American City BureauWe extend our warmest congratulations on the completion of the Commons, your remarkable new building and outdoor spaces. It brings Snøhetta immense joy to see how much has come from our collective masterplan discussions.
Vesterheim’s mission deeply resonates with our core values. At Snøhetta, we believe that our work is not just about physical landscapes and buildings, it’s about fostering connections and experiences through the thoughtful creation of meaningful spaces. In much the same spirit, your cultural center stands as a beacon of community, where cultural heritage intertwines with personal stories, creating a tapestry of shared history. The museum, Folk Art School, and Commons stand as a bridge between the past and the future, honoring traditions while inviting new narratives.
With your dedication to craftsmanship, storytelling, and community engagement, the journey we’ve shared in shaping your new space has been an inspiration to our team. So, as you open the doors to the Commons, know that we celebrate not only the physical structure but the spirit of collaboration and the vision that brought it to life. May this space continue to be a source of inspiration, learning, and cultural exchange for generations to come.
Congratulations on this momentous achievement. Snøhetta
When you enter Vesterheim Commons, you enter a bold new era of Vesterheim’s ability to welcome visitors, host events, display collection objects, provide folk art education and experiences, and reach a worldwide audience.
Strong Roots | Bold Future, The Campaign to Grow
Vesterheim was always more than creating a new outdoor exhibit space in Heritage Park or this exciting new Commons. The goal of this campaign has been to elevate the Vesterheim experience by engaging visitors of all ages to see the world through the lens of history. Immigrant stories and the art of Norwegian Americans help us understand our own journeys, no matter our heritage.
Vesterheim preserves and tells very human stories. When we dreamed about how Vesterheim could better tell these stories, an insight captured our imagination: we unite past, present, and future in the stories we tell, the collection we preserve, and the folk arts we practice. Vesterheim is a place where we recognize ourselves by connecting with those who have gone before us and those who will follow us.
Vesterheim’s bold future is reflected in the inspired design by Snøhetta for the Commons as the new front door of Vesterheim set within a coherent and connected campus. The building itself tells a story. It connects the built space to the open-air exhibit spaces in Heritage Park. It connects the past to the future through access to the Westby-Torgerson Education Center. It better connects the museum collection to folk art students. It strengthens Vesterheim’s connection to Decorah as a place to gather the community. And the use of locally sourced materials and traditional Norwegian building techniques connects us to a sustainable future.
Plans to grow Vesterheim required the creativity of many partners—museum staff, designers, contractors, fabricators,
fundraisers, and trustees. In 2018 Snøhetta began leading the campus master planning process, including the design of Vesterheim’s new logo, that reinforces the renewed museum mission of “building community and creating experiences inspired by Norwegian-American stories and folk art.” In late 2019 and early 2020, our campaign consulting partner American City Bureau, Inc. (ACB) assessed the museum’s readiness to undertake a capital campaign. ACB tested the vision and plans with internal stakeholders—board members and staff, and with external stakeholders—donors, museum members, and community leaders. In spring 2020, the Trustees approved moving ahead with Strong Roots | Bold Future, The Campaign to Grow Vesterheim.
The Snøhetta-designed Vesterheim Commons is a unique response to our location in northeast Iowa amidst the Driftless area and in response to the specific needs of museum staff and visitors. The Commons is set between acquired buildings from different eras, integrating what appears to be disparate. There is an almost seamless flow from the Commons to Heritage Park that evokes the wooded glades of Norway while cultivating native landscapes. The Commons becomes our new portal to share the lives, values, and arts of brave travelers who were bold enough to imagine a different future for themselves.
The inspiring architecture is coupled with functional design to serve programming needs that can help create a sense of community. The first-floor flexible space will host special presentations, events, and gatherings, and the third-floor collection access space will offer opportunities to study the artifact collection in a way that is more convenient and accessible for folk art students and visiting researchers.
The design process for the Commons had to assume programming needs would evolve. In the early planning phase, the closure of the museum and Folk Art School during COVID-19 challenged the staff to explore ways to stay connected with the Vesterheim community through online programming. The explosion of technical capacities during the pandemic shutdown revealed to us an emerging global audience. Even as we reopened, we knew that we could not leave this new online community behind. The Commons now includes a full digital production studio that will greatly improve the quality of our online offerings and expand learning opportunities to the Vesterheim community around the world.
The Strong Roots | Bold Future campaign is an expression of the belief that Vesterheim has great potential. This campaign challenged us to believe in that potential and invite museum members and friends to create this future together. And we have!
The success of this campaign is an expression of hope and excitement for the museum and Folk Art School. It is telling that more than half of campaign donors have made their largest-ever investment in Vesterheim. Why? Because we dared to lay out a compelling vision to reposition Vesterheim through new exhibit and programming spaces, including expanded capacities for online engagement with new audiences across the globe.
We are convinced that as more people experience Heritage Park and the Commons, they will want to be forever listed among those who created Vesterheim’s bold future. Watching the Commons take shape, seeing the mass timber
beams from Albert Lea, Minnesota, and exterior bricks from Adel, Iowa, giving shape and form to the building, and marveling as walls went up and windows installed, we began to see Vesterheim’s bold future more clearly. We are grateful for the diverse community of architects, local contractors and craftsmen, staff, campaign volunteers, and donors that have helped to make Vesterheim Commons a reality. We knew we had the potential to grow our community and elevate the visitor experience. We are living today the theme of the capital campaign: Strong Roots | Bold Future.
That bold future is now.
Vesterheim Commons unifies the museum campus, providing the museum with a spectacular front entry and opening into Heritage Park. With 7,600 square feet spread across three levels and almost an acre of surrounding landscaped patio and an outdoor terrace, the Commons physically links the past and the future, connects the museum collection to the Folk Art School, and enriches the Vesterheim experience for those coming to Decorah, including guests from Viking Mississippi River voyages, and participating digitally through a new video and photography production studio.
The first-floor public flex space provides more opportunity for presentations, events, and the growing folk art and education programs—all with easy access to Heritage Park. Features on this level include a catering kitchen to service events in the Commons and Heritage Park and the stunning oculus that looks up to the second-floor veranda. The ceiling in this space is made from beautiful western red cedar, and the floor includes an outline of the map of Norway.
The upper levels of the Commons expand exhibit space to showcase Vesterheim’s collection, and a designated collection access space allows students, researchers, and artists to get up close and personal with artifacts. A digital production studio provides the technology to expand online classes and experiences to serve Vesterheim’s growing global audiences.
The construction of Vesterheim Commons kicked off in February 2022, and the Commons could not have become a reality without the knowledge, creativity, and expertise of the architects, landscape architects, engineers, and consultants who worked on the project and exceeded our expectations along the way. We are grateful for the partnerships that made these dreams take shape, including the design team of Snøhetta, BNIM, Meyer Borgman Johnson, Morrissey, and McGough.
Board of Trustees
Honorary Chair
H.M. Harald, King of Norway
Chair
Ruth Ann Schultz, Loch Lloyd, MO
Vice-Chair
Brian Rude, Coon Valley, WI
Secretary
Elizabeth Platou, Barrington, IL
Treasurer
Walter Rugland, Appleton, WI
Dan Alsaker, Spokane, WA
Carol Birkland, Decorah, IA
Greg Boman, Castle Rock, CO
Jansen Dahl, La Crosse, WI
Lindsay Erdman, Decorah, IA
Kari Espinosa, Decorah, IA
Daniel Fretheim, Decorah, IA
Louise Hanson, Rochester, MN
Charis Hovden, Ridgeway, IA
Maren Anderson Johnson, Decorah, IA
Jane Kemp, Decorah, IA
Gayle Kvenvold, Minneapolis, MN
Brian Larson, Stillwater, MN
Kirk Mies, Lindenhurst, IL
Heather Miller, Urbandale, IA
Bradley (BJ) Nichols, Silver Spring, MD
Martha Gesme Nielsen, Cary, IL
Kenneth Nordan, Surprise, AZ
Rachel Reitan, New Orleans, LA
Ruth Christenson Sorenson, Washington, DC
Craig Trygstad, Ridgefield, WA
Honorary Trustee
Dr. Eugene Nordby, Madison, WI
Founders Council Members
Cynthia Alan, Storrs Mansfield, CT
Evy Alsaker, Winnetka, IL
Robert W. Anderson, Mount Horeb, WI
Helen B. Barbier, Decorah, IA
Ingrid Carlson Barrier, Denver, CO
Michael Bovre, Verona, WI
Mette Bowen, Lake Forest, IL
Ingrid Callaghan, Decorah, IA
Veronna Capone, Brookings, SD
Brenda Carlson, Decorah, IA
William E. Cary, Portland, OR
Birgitte Christianson, Minneapolis, MN
Sallie H. De Reus, Leighton, IA
Audrey Dybdahl, Madison, WI
Richard Enstad, Fergus Falls, MN
Ron Fadness, Decorah, IA
Edward T. Fjelde, Northfield, MN
Bjarne Flolo, Oslo, Norway
Gary and Miriam Gandrud, Bloomington, MN
Ann U. Gesme, Cedar Rapids, IA
Dale Goodman, Decorah, IA
Karen Gray, Spring Grove, MN
Larry Grimstad, Decorah, IA
Steve R. Grinna, Decorah, IA
Perry Gulbrandsen, Chesapeake, VA
Newman T. Halvorson, Jr., Washington, DC
Marilyn H. Hansen, Alamo, CA
Jon R. Hart, Decorah, IA
Rebecca E. Hegstad, Stillwater, MN
Richard C. Hemp, Reno, NV
Hal A. and Pat Hetland, Houston, MN
D. S. Ingstad, Waukee, IA
Jill Lendu Johnson, Naples, FL
Myrna Johnson, Northwood, ND
Jill N. Kaiser, Brooklyn Park, MN
Heyn Kjerulf, Richmond, VA
Gail Larson, Bozeman, MT
Martha Y. Limburg, Rochester, MN
Thomas Mannes, Aksdal, Norway
Kate M. Martinson, Decorah, IA
Kurt Meyer, Saint Ansgar, IA
Suzanne Mineck, Urbandale, IA
David and Linda J. Mona, Edina, MN
David L. Nelson, Stoughton, WI
Eugene J. Nordby, Madison, WI
Liv P. Norderhaug, Chanhassen, MN
Neal R. Nottleson, Racine, WI
Karen Owen-Tuzcu, Minneapolis, MN
Jerome B. Pederson, Edina, MN
Ham Peterson, Rochester, MN
Sonja Peterson, Battle Lake, MN
Kristin Robbins, Denver, CO
Wayne A. Rohne, Arlington, TX
John Satrom, Horace, ND
Michael Schmidt, Longboat Key, FL
Lorie Schweer, Tucson, AZ
Kate Rattenborg Scott, Decorah, IA
Rebecca D. Shaw, Des Moines, IA
Gary Smaby, Palm Springs, CA
Marilyn E. Sorensen, Edina, MN
Louise Sundet, Minneapolis, MN
Daniel Thurmer, Decorah, IA
O. Jay Tomson, Mason City, IA
Harold S. Ulvestad, Jr., Shorewood, MN
Joann Voltmer, Decorah, IA
Mike Voltmer, Decorah, IA
William K. Wangensteen, Minneapolis, MN
Jeanne and David W. Wright, Jr., Decorah, IA
Signe Wrolstad-Forbes, Chagrin Falls, OH
Campaign Council
Dan Alsaker, Spokane, WA
Richard and Nancy Enstad, Fergus Falls, MN
Jon and Mary Hart, Decorah, IA
Kirsten Roverud Heine and David Heine, Decorah, IA
Don Hoganson, Wheaton, IL
Maren Anderson Johnson, Decorah, IA
Kirk and Renee Mies, Lindenhurst, IL
Ruth Christenson Sorenson, Washington, DC
O. Jay and Pat Tomson, Mason City, IA
Campaign Steering Committee
Craig Trygstad, Chair
Chris Johnson, President/CEO
Elizabeth Platou, Trustee
Ruth Christenson Sorenson, Trustee
Kimberly Toussaint, Campaign Manager
Diane Wagner, Vice President of Development
Campaign Consultant
American City Bureau, West Dundee, IL
Leslie Biggens Mollsen, President
Robert V. Hotz, Vice President
Onsite Project Coordinator
Marcia McKelvey
Architects
Snøhetta, Oslo, Norway & New York City, NY
BNIM, Des Moines, IA
Construction Manager
McGough Construction, Des Moines, IA
Engineers
Meyer Borgman Johnson, Minneapolis, MN
Morrissey Engineering, Omaha, NE
Consultants
ARUP, New York, NY (Acoustical)
Atelier 10, New York, NY (Sustainable Design)
Eckersley O-Callaghan, New York, NY (Building Envelope)
Fast + Epps, Brooklyn, NY (Structural Engineers)
FP&C, Kansas City, MO (Code)
Terracon, Cedar Falls, IA (Environmental)
Contractors
1st Window Treatments, Des Moines, IA
2nd Nature Landscaping, Bloomington, MN
Alamco Wood Products | Bell Structural Solutions, Albert Lea, MN
Artisan Ceilings, Waterloo, IA
Benzing Surveying LLC, Waukon, IA
Braun Intertec, Cedar Rapids, IA
Casper Plumbing & Heating Inc., Decorah, IA
Croell, Inc., New Hampton, IA
CTI, St. Louis, MO
Darold Berger Masonry Inc., Waukon, IA
David Bear, Inc., Urbandale, IA
Erdman Engineering, Decorah, IA
Finholt Construction, Decorah, IA
Floors by Beckers LLC, New Brighton, MN
For Sure Roofing, Des Moines, IA
Glen-Gery Brick, Urbandale, IA
Kinzler Construction Services, Waterloo, IA
Latitude Signage, Grinnell, IA
Perry Novak Electric, Decorah, IA
Schumacher Elevator, Denver, IA
Skold Construction, Des Moines, IA
Skyline Construction, Decorah, IA
Summit Companies, Rochester, MN
Walsh Door & Hardware Company, Iowa City, IA
Wicks Construction, Decorah, IA
Wilkie Sanderson, Sauk Rapids, MN
WL Hall, Hopkins, MN
Wright Way Computers, Decorah, IA
Young’s Painting & Decorating, Independence, IA
Staff
Ken Amdahl, Custodian
Jill Amdahl, Guest Services
Gary Ballard, Guest Services
Sandra Bishop, Guest Services
Karla Brown, Guest Services
Madeleine Brown, Folk Art Education Program Coordinator
Tammy Carolan, Human Resources Administrator
Sharon Del Vento, Guest Services
Mary Docken, Guest Services
Sharon Drew, Receptionist
Catherine Dyer, Marketing Manager
Andrew Ellingsen, Director of Folk Art Education
Darlene Fossum-Martin, Guest Services
Marcia Fox, Guest Services
Danette Franzen, Accounting Specialist
Laurann Gilbertson, Chief Curator
Koby Hagen, Guest Services
Julie Hale, Collection Assistant
Rebecca Hanna, Guest Services
Betty Hanson, Receptionist
Debbie Hanson, Membership Coordinator
Kirsten Roverud Heine, Gift Officer
Shelley Hendricks, Assistant Museum Store Manager
Becky Idstrom, Director of Communications and Marketing
Chris Johnson, President/CEO
Lauryn Johnson, Collection Assistant
Mary Klimesh, Guest Services
Ken Koop, Museum Store Manager
Sally Koop, Guest Services
Jennifer Kovarik, Collection Manager
Paul Laiblin, Heritage Park Gardener
Ruby Langholz, Guest Services
Chivonne Marlow, Visitor Services Manager
Marcia McKelvey, Director of Administration
Karen Nance, Guest Services
Lizzie Nation, Social Media & Content Coordinator
Jim Nelson, Facilities Manager
Michael Njus, Guest Services
Marie Pleggenkuhle, Accountant
Erin Ryan, Folk Art Education Administrative Assistant
Peggy Sersland, Database Administrator
Isaiah Solheim, Multi-Media Production Coordinator
Rolf Svanoe, Tours to Norway Coordinator
Molly Thompson, Annual Fund Gift Officer
Kimberly Toussaint, Associate Director of Development & Campaign Manager
Diane Wagner, Vice President of Development
Greg Walton, Folk Art Education Program Coordinator
Sue Wiegrefe, Operations Assistant for Development & Membership
520 W. Water St. Decorah, IA 52101