National Nordic Museum facts for kids
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The main entrance to the current Nordic Museum on Market Street
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| Established | 1980 |
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| Location | 2655 NW Market Street Seattle, Washington, U.S. |
| Type | Heritage center |
The National Nordic Museum is a special place in Seattle, Washington, USA. It teaches people about the history, art, and culture of the Nordic countries. These countries include Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. The museum also shares stories of people who moved to America from these places.
The museum started in 1980 as the Nordic Heritage Museum. It moved to a brand new building in 2018. In 2019, it became known as the National Nordic Museum. It's a place where people can gather and learn about Nordic traditions.
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About the Museum
The museum first opened in an old school building. This building was once the Daniel Webster Elementary School. It was used as a school from 1907 to 1979.
In 2018, the museum moved to a large, new building. This building is about 57,000 square feet. It opened on May 5, 2018. Important guests like the president of Iceland and the crown princess of Denmark came to the opening.
The museum's main goal is to share Nordic culture. It does this by showing art and objects. It also keeps important collections safe. The museum offers fun learning experiences for everyone.
Learning and Resources
The museum has a special place called the Cultural Resource Center. This center includes the Walter Johnson Memorial Library. The library has many books, especially in Danish, Finnish, Icelandic, Norwegian, and Swedish. It also has music and information about folk customs.
In March 2019, the U.S. Congress gave the museum its "National" title. This means it's recognized as an important national museum.
Museum Exhibits
The museum has different exhibits that tell stories. These exhibits show how Nordic culture has changed over time.
Past Exhibits
At the old Nordic Heritage Museum, there were five special rooms. Each room was for one of the Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. There was also an exhibit called "Dream of America." This exhibit showed how Nordic people moved to the Pacific Northwest.
Current Exhibits
The new National Nordic Museum has a main exhibit called "Nordic Journeys." This exhibit is spread across five galleries. It shows many interesting items. Some are from the museum's own collection. Others are borrowed from museums in the Nordic countries.
You can see very old stone axes, some 4,000 years old. There are also items from the Viking age. You can even see examples of modern Nordic design.
Fun Programs
The museum offers many programs for people of all ages. These programs help everyone learn about Scandinavian culture.
Craft School
- Nordic Knitting Café: Learn to knit Nordic styles.
- Nordic Woodcarving: Try your hand at carving wood.
- Rosemaling: Learn this traditional Norwegian decorative painting.
- Nordic Cooking: Discover how to make Nordic foods.
Programs for All Ages
- Tours: Explore the museum with a guide.
- Language Classes: Learn a new Nordic language.
- Nordic American Voices: Hear stories from Nordic Americans.
Kids and Parents
- Craft Projects: Make fun Nordic crafts.
- Kids' Corner: A special area for younger visitors.
- Music for Kids: Enjoy Nordic music.
Special Events
The museum hosts exciting events throughout the year. These events bring the community together. They also teach more about Nordic culture.
- Concerts: Enjoy Nordic music performances.
- Films: Watch movies related to Nordic themes.
- Lectures: Learn from experts about Nordic topics.
Big Annual Events
The National Nordic Museum has two major yearly events: Nordic Sól and Julefest.
- Nordic Sól: This event started in 1984. It used to be called Viking Days. It features food, crafts, and music. You can even see a Viking encampment! It's a great way to experience Nordic history and culture.
- Julefest: This is a Nordic Christmas celebration. It happens every year before Thanksgiving. You can find craft vendors and enjoy Nordic food and music. It's a wonderful way to learn about Nordic Christmas traditions.
