Virtual Galleries

Vesterheim’s impressive collection numbers more than 59,000 objects, buildings, artworks, documents, and photographs. Here, you can see a selection from the collection. Enjoy decorative woodcarving, Norwegian rosemaling (decorative painting), jewelry and metalworking, textiles (including knitting, weaving, and folk costume), fine arts, and historical images.

Hover over a photo-tile for basic information on the item. Click on the photo-tile for a full view of the item and additional information, such as dimensions and source. There are additional views of some items.

At this time, only a sampling of Vesterheim’s collection is online. The online Virtual Galleries do not include works by living artists.

Questions about these or other objects in Vesterheim’s collection can be sent to info@vesterheim.org.

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Collection
Group of women part of Ladies Aid for Big Canoe Church, sit around a table

Ladies Aid Big Canoe Church

Unknown
Decorah, IA
Unknown
Historical Images
Bishop Brockmen visits in Decorah. Many cars are lined up along a road.

Bishop Brockman of Norway in Decorah IA

Unknown
Decorah, IA
Unknown
Historical Images
Approximately thirteen adults sit outside around a table drinking coffee.

Decorah Coffee Party

1809
Decorah, IA
Unknown
Historical Images
Group of women at farm with many horse and buggies.

Run Creek Ladies Aid

1890
Unknown
Unknown
Historical Images
A small child, Miles Comwall, holds a fish.

Miles Comwall

1942
Unknown
Unknown
Historical Images
Man in a boat holds a goat. Town in the background on coast.

Man and Goat on Boat

Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Historical Images
Three young adults work with hay in field.

Three Young Adults Work in Field

Unknown
Unknown
Herbjørn Gausta
Historical Images
Large group photo of members of the church. Christmas tree decorated and Norwegian flag behind.

Florida Escambia Co Pensacola Norwegian Seamans Church

1895
Florida
Unknown
Historical Images
Three people in foreground sit on ground. Two men in background sit on ground.

Five Individuals Sit on Ground

1894 or 1899
Jyrusdal (Jørisdal) Farm, Hovin, Telemark
Herbjørn Gausta
Historical Images
Seven individuals dressed up to act.

Brooklyn Play Acting

Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Historical Images
Young woman knitting by child sleeping in bed.

Young Woman and Child

Unknown
Unknown
Herbjørn Gausta
Historical Images
Two women and child inside working.

Two Women Working Inside

Unknown
Unknown
Herbjørn Gausta
Historical Images
About sixteen people sit around a table outside. Two young children are standing on the end of the table, posing for the photo.

Large Family Outdoor Gathering

Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Historical Images
Trinity Lutheran Church School parade down street. Women in folk dresses, Norwegian and American flags flying.

Trinity Lutheran Church School

1970s
Unknown
Unknown
Historical Images
A husband and wife push their baby in a stroller down the sidewalk in a city.

Husband, Wife, and Baby

Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Historical Images
Woman in horse and buggy on road interact with woman standing nearby.

Two Women and Children on Road

Unknown
Unknown
Herbjørn Gausta
Historical Images
Group pose for photo at Nadness School in Winneshiek County

Nadness School Winneshiek County

1910
Decorah, IA
Unknown
Historical Images
Group of about eight women cook over a fire.

Group of Women Cooking Over Fire

Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Historical Images
Four women in nice dress and man rowing in a boat.

Five People on Boat

Unknown
Unknown
Herbjørn Gausta
Historical Images
Seven women and young girl pose for photograph outside of building.

Group of Women

Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Historical Images
Large group of photo of Decorah Posten families.

Decorah Posten Picnic

1919
Decorah, IA
Unknown
Historical Images
Four women pose for a photograph outside of a building.

Group of Women

Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Historical Images
Five men pose for photo at knife making class at Vesterheim. Havard Bergland, Rob Spear, Fred Cogelow

Knife making Class at Vesterheim

Unknown
Decorah, IA
Unknown
Historical Images
Three woman sit on rock stairs, in nice dress and one holding rake.

Three Women on Rock Stairs

Unknown
Unknown
Herbjørn Gausta
Historical Images
Group of six have a meal outside.

Group Having Outdoor Meal

Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Historical Images
Three men and dog sit/stand on pile of hay.

Three Men and Dog

Unknown
Unknown
Herbjørn Gausta
Historical Images
Man and woman groom horse on homestead. One man stand to the right.

Grooming a Horse

Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Historical Images
Three individuals posing for a photo outside of a house.

Mr and Mrs Peter Naustheller and Olai Naustheller

Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Historical Images