About This Issue/Museum Information

Both Norway and Norwegian-Americans played major roles in the style revolutions that shook the first threequarters of the twentieth century. Now Modernism and Mid-century Modern are all the rage once again. In this issue of Vesterheim we examine some of these trends and the people who were instrumental in creating them, and we take a closer look at how culture and history helped shape design.

We also kick off the Bicentennial of Norway’s constitution in 2014 with an examination of how political ideals, power politics, and happenstance converged to create the longlasting document that has served Norway for 200 years and is celebrated every May 17, even here in the United States.

Also here you’ll find all the talented winners in the 2013 National Exhibition of Folk Art in the Norwegian Tradition and get a sneak peak at some of the 2014 classes at the Vesterheim Folk Art School and our upcoming tours to Norway.

I hope you enjoy this issue, Norwegian By Design, and I am grateful as always to our authors, volunteers, and Vesterheim staff who have worked so hard to bring you this issue, and to our sponsor, Mary Mills Dunea, who made it all possible.

—Charlie Langton, Vesterheim Editor

Museum Information

Vesterheim

The National Norwegian-American Museum and Heritage Center 502 West Water Street, P.O. Box 379 Decorah, IA 52101-0379 Main Office: 563-382-9681 • Fax: 563-382-8828 Museum Store: 800-979-3346

Visit Vesterheim on the web at vesterheim.org

Vesterheim, the national Norwegian-American museum and heritage center in Decorah, Iowa, shares the most comprehensive collection of Norwegian-American artifacts in the world, including over 24,000 artifacts and 12 historic buildings. This treasure is also a center for folk-art education, offering a wide variety of classes in authentic Norwegian folk art every year. USA Today named Vesterheim one of “ten great places in the nation to admire American folk art.”

Hours and Prices

May 1 - October 31

(Includes tours of Open Air Division) Daily 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

November 1 - April 30

Daily 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Admission:

Members: Free Adults: $10.00 Seniors: $8.00 Ages 7-18 : $5.00

Free First Thursdays thanks to Decorah Bank & Trust Company.

Call for information about group rates and tours.

Where we are:

Decorah, Iowa, is located at the intersection of U.S. Hwy. 52 (north/ south) and Iowa Hwy. 9 (east/west). I-90 (east/west) is approximately 60 miles north. I-35 (north/south) is about 90 miles west. I-380 (east/west) is 80 miles south. Decorah is just under a three-hour drive from the Minneapolis/ St. Paul area and is approximately 60 miles from Rochester, Minnesota; La Crosse, Wisconsin; and Waterloo, Iowa.

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