Celebrate America's 250th Birthday at Vesterheim's Free Second Saturday

Good local journalism takes time. Your support helps make it possible. DECORAH — Visit Vesterheim, the National Norwegian-American Museum and Folk Art School, for Free Second Saturday on Sept. 12, celebrating the 250th birthday of the United States with free admission, international treats, a craft activity, a guided tour, free books, special exhibitions and live music. The museum building will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with activities from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in both Hanson Vesterheim Commons and the museum building. Free Second Saturday is supported by a grant from McElroy Trust, with additional gifts from The Depot Outlet and Black Hills Energy. In September, additional support is provided by the Oneota Valley Literary Foundation for the book giveaway, food and music. Immigrants from around the world have brought their food traditions with them to the United States. Visitors can sample international food treats and create an art project featuring a pretend smørbrød, or open-face Scandinavian sandwich, using recyclables and their imaginations. Music is another tradition immigrants brought to America, and the Hardanger fiddle, or hardingfele, is Norway's national folk instrument. Dr. Tyler Hendrickson will perform on the Hardanger fiddle in the museum building. Hendrickson began his journey into Nordic fiddling in 2017 after attending a Vesterheim workshop with Vidar Skrede. He has worked with fiddlers from the United States and Norway and is an active member of the Hardanger Fiddle Association of the Americas. He founded the Lower Iowa Nordic Ensemble, or LINE, in Iowa City and serves as an adjunct instructor of violin and viola at Kirkwood Community College. He plays a fiddle commissioned from Vesterheim Gold Medalist Karen Rebholz. Thanks to the Oneota Valley Literary Foundation, children's books about immigrant contributions to the United States will be available for visitors to take home at no cost. At 1:30 p.m., visitors can join a guided tour of the historic buildings in Vesterheim Heritage Park. Free Second Saturday is also an opportunity to visit Vesterheim's special exhibitions. Exhibits currently on display include "Nordic Echoes: Tradition in Contemporary Art," "Lars Fletre: Resistance, Resilience, and Artistry" and "Emigrating to America." In "Emigrating to America," families can play an interactive game that leads visitors through a series of decisions as they pretend to immigrate to the United States from Norway. Visitors can discover who they are when they leave Norway and what happens along their journey to a new home. Vesterheim, the National Norwegian-American Museum and Folk Art School, welcomes people of all ages and backgrounds to engage in the conversation about the American immigrant journey through the lens of the Norwegian-American experience. For more information about exhibits, classes, programs, tours, membership opportunities and ways to donate or volunteer, visit vesterheim.org or call 563-382-9681. From breaking news to community stories, get the latest in your inbox.