Norskedalen facts for kids
Norskedalen Nature and Heritage Center is a special place that helps protect and share the natural beauty and history of the Coulee Region. It's a non-profit organization located near Coon Valley, in La Crosse and Vernon counties, Wisconsin, United States. It's a great spot to learn about nature and how people lived long ago.
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History of Norskedalen
The Norskedalen Nature and Heritage Center started in 1977. It began when Alf and Carroll Gundersen gave 112 acres (0.45 km2) of land to the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse Foundation. They wanted it to be an outdoor learning space and a tree garden, also known as an arboretum.
Since then, Norskedalen has grown a lot. It now covers over 440 acres (1.8 km2). This includes 9 miles (14 km) of walking trails. You can also find old pioneer log buildings there. These cabins were built by Norwegian immigrants in the late 1800s. The center also has museums. These museums show exhibits about the area's nature and its cultural history.
Exploring the Norskedalen Sites
Norskedalen has two main locations to explore.
Main Site: Poplar Coulee
The main site is about three miles (5 km) north of Coon Valley, Wisconsin. It is open all year round. This site covers 398 acres (1.61 km2) within Poplar Coulee. Here, you can visit the Bekkum Homestead. This homestead is a recreated pioneer farm from the early 1900s.
The Thrune Visitor center is also at the main site. It has displays of items used by pioneers and Norwegian immigrants. You can also see the Helga Gundersen Arboretum. This arboretum features a bronze sculpture called Zerogee II by artist Paul Granlund. The buildings at the Bekkum Homestead are filled with artifacts from that time. You can take guided tours of these buildings from May through October. The Paulsen Rental Cabin is also available here.
Heritage Site: Skumsrud Farm
The other location is the Norskedalen Heritage Site. It used to be called the Skumsrud Heritage Farm. This site is about 1⁄2-mile (0.80 km) west of Coon Valley, Wisconsin. It's an outdoor museum that is open during certain seasons.
This site has more than 11 historical buildings. One important building is the 1853 Skumsrud Cabin. This cabin is so special it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places. You can also see the Erickson School. This was the first one-room schoolhouse in the area. Each building at this site shows a slightly different building style.
Discovering Nature at Norskedalen
Norskedalen's 440 acres (1.8 km2) of land is always changing with the seasons. It includes the Helga Gundersen Arboretum and many nature trails.
Helga Gundersen Arboretum
Dr. Alf Gundersen and his wife, Carroll, started the arboretum in 1960. They wanted to make the landscape more beautiful. They also wanted to give something special back to the community. The arboretum has many different natural areas. These include wetlands, prairies, and woodlands. You can see native plants and wildlife here. The Gundersen Spring is also a beautiful feature. There is even a trail that is easy for everyone to use, including those with wheelchairs.
Nature Trails for Exploration
Norskedalen has several nature trails for walking and exploring. These include the Troll Trail, the Pine Loop Trail, and the Ophus Farm Trail. Their lengths vary from half a mile to one and a half miles. In 2022, three new trails were opened. These new trails are the Strywald Trail, the Prairie Meadow Trail, and the Forest Ridge Trail.
Educational Programs and Workshops
Norskedalen offers many different programs for people of all ages.
Nature and Environmental Programs
Nature programs teach about the environment. They have special activities for groups like 4-H and the Boy and Girl Scouts. There are also programs for adults. These might teach how to bring nature into your home. Or they might show how to help pollinators in your yard.
History Programs
The Civil War series teaches students about the Civil War era. It shares stories and original documents from people on all sides of the conflict.
"Letters from Anne" is another program. It helps students learn about life in the 1860s. It does this through the eyes of Anne Engum. She was a teenager living in Coon Valley, Wisconsin, during that time.
Heritage Classes
Heritage classes teach traditional folk art and skills. You can learn about things like genealogy (studying your family history). Other skills include wood carving, needlework, and baking. These classes can be one-day courses or longer workshops.
Jennifer Lee Marker Library
The Jennifer Lee Marker Library was created in 1982. George and Connie Marker supported its creation. They wanted to honor the memory of their daughter. The library is located inside the Thrune Visitors' Center. It has many books and resources. These resources cover the natural history and the different cultures of the area.
See also
- List of botanical gardens and arboretums in Wisconsin
Other sources
- Wisconsin Department of Tourism
- Savor Wisconsin.com
