Sons of Norway Presentation to Feature Chief Curator of Vesterheim

Our newsroom runs on more than coffee and craft beer — it runs on you. Support Decorah News' local reporting today. DECORAH — The Sons of Norway will hold their January meeting on Jan. 20, featuring a presentation by Laurann Gilbertson, chief curator of Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum in Decorah. Her presentation is titled "The History of Norwegian Sweaters." Gilbertson will explore the history of several types and styles of Norwegian sweaters, including Setesdal, Fana, Marius and Olympic designs. The presentation will also highlight modern classics, introduce notable knitwear designers and examine the intersection of sweaters and art. Gilbertson will discuss the symbolism behind patterns and colors found in sweaters made today. Attendees are encouraged to wear or bring a favorite sweater. Gilbertson holds a bachelor's degree in anthropology and a master's degree in textiles and clothing, both from Iowa State University. She served as textile curator at Vesterheim for 19 years and now oversees the museum's collection of more than 30,000 artifacts as chief curator. Her responsibilities include creating exhibitions and leading textile study tours to Norway. The presentation begins at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 701 Iowa Ave., Decorah. It will be preceded by a lodge meeting at 7 p.m. The public is invited to attend, and Norwegian ancestry is not required. Refreshments will be served following the presentation. Get the inside scoop! Subscribe to the free DecorahNews.com newsletter and receive local news, expert analysis, and stories that matter most—straight to your inbox.