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 cool place in Seattle, Washington, USA. It's all about the history, art, and culture of the Nordic countries and the people who moved from there to America. These countries include Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.
The museum started in 1980 as the Nordic Heritage Museum. It moved to a brand new building in 2018 and was later called the National Nordic Museum in 2019. It's a spot where people can learn about Nordic culture. They do this by showing amazing art and objects, keeping important collections safe, and offering fun learning experiences.
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About the Museum's Journey
The museum used to be in an old red brick building. This building was once a school from 1907 to 1979. In 2018, the museum got a new name, the 'Nordic Museum'. It also moved into a big, new building on NW Market Street in Ballard. This new building opened on May 5, 2018. Important people like the president of Iceland and the crown princess of Denmark were there for the opening!
The museum is a non-profit organization. This means it's not trying to make money. Its main goal is to share "Nordic culture with people of all ages." They do this by showing art, keeping collections, and offering fun activities. They also want to be a place where the community can gather.
The museum also has a special library called the Walter Johnson Memorial Library. It started in 1980 and has many books. These books are often in Danish, Finnish, Icelandic, Norwegian, and Swedish. It also has music and other materials about Nordic folk customs and traditions.
In March 2019, the U.S. Congress officially named it the National Nordic Museum. This was a big honor for the museum!
What You Can See: Exhibitions
The museum has awesome exhibits that show different parts of Nordic life.
Past Exhibits at the Old Museum
At the old Nordic Heritage Museum, there were special rooms for each Nordic country:
- Denmark
- Finland
- Iceland
- Norway
- Sweden
There was also a gallery called "Dream of America." This exhibit told the story of Nordic people moving to the Pacific Northwest.
Exhibits at the National Nordic Museum Today
The new museum has one big exhibit called "Nordic Journeys." It's spread out over five galleries. You can see many cool things from the museum's own collection. Plus, there are over 100 objects on loan from other museums!
This exhibit shows a huge range of history. You can see stone axes that are 4,000 years old! There are also amazing Viking-era items. And you can even see examples of modern Nordic design. It's a journey through time and culture!
Fun Things to Do: Public Programs
The museum loves to teach people about Scandinavian culture. They offer many programs for all ages.
- Folk School: Learn traditional Nordic crafts!
* Nordic Knitting Café: Knit like a pro! * Nordic Woodcarving: Carve cool designs from wood. * Rosemaling: Learn this beautiful Norwegian folk art painting. * Nordic Cooking: Make tasty Nordic dishes!
- Adult Programs:
* Tours: Explore the museum with a guide. * Language Classes: Learn a Nordic language! * Nordic American Voices: Hear stories from Nordic Americans.
- Kids & Parents:
* Craft Projects: Get creative with hands-on crafts. * Kids' Corner: A special area just for kids. * Music for Kids: Enjoy Nordic music.
- Teachers:
* Outreach Trunks: Learning kits for schools. * Nordic Adventures: Special programs for students.
Exciting Events
The museum hosts many events to bring people together and share Nordic culture.
- Concerts: Enjoy live music, like the Mostly Nordic Chamber Music Series.
- Films: Watch movies from Nordic countries.
- Lectures: Listen to experts talk about Nordic topics.
- Exhibition Openings: Be among the first to see new exhibits.
Big Annual Events
Each year, the National Nordic Museum has two major community events.
- Nordic Sól: This event used to be called Tivoli Days and then Viking Days. It's held in July and is a big celebration! You can find food and craft vendors. There's also Scandinavian music and a cool Viking Encampment. It's a great way to experience Nordic history and modern culture.
- Julefest: This is a Nordic Christmas celebration! It happens every year on the Saturday and Sunday before Thanksgiving. You can find craft vendors, enjoy Nordic food and music, and see Christmas traditions on display. It's a festive way to get into the holiday spirit!
