Join the Natural History Museum of Utah for Norse Fest

Turn old assumptions upside down at the Natural History Museum of Utah’s, Norse Fest, a fall celebration held in conjunction with the Museum’s special exhibition,Vikings: Beyond the Legend. Discover what Norse life was like beyond common portrayals of brutal pillagers and barbaric raiders. Experience their enduring legacy and the unique culture and traditions, many of which are still being practiced today.

Included with the regular price of Museum admission, visitors can take part in the festivities Saturday, September 23, 2017, from 10am to 5pm. “As part of our current world-class Viking exhibition, we hope Norse Fest will shine a light on the latest Scandinavian research, as well as some of the traditions and cultural information that is often overlooked or unknown,” says Executive Director Sarah George. “The Viking Age is a fascinating period and archaeologists and historians are constantly employing new techniques and innovative tools to uncover evidential information.”

Old Norse Culture and Traditions

Guests will have the opportunity to witness the complexity and refinement of Norse traditions and culture by observing skilled and knowledgeable arts and crafts people who take great care to replicate and continue the use of Viking-Age techniques even today.

• Witness demonstrations by Aaron Richardson, a working blacksmith and historic interpreter, who practices Viking-age methods in his shop in Eden, Utah.
• Watch and learn traditional Scandinavian songs and dances performed by Utah’s own Scandinavian Dance & Music Troupe.
• Catch a glimpse of fine Norwegian fiddle making, hand-crafted by Bevan Wulffenstejn.
• Admire the talents of rug weaving artist Ann Adams.
• Don’t miss Vikings Live! Tales and songs by NHMU’s resident Vikings.
• Sample Viking bread, Norse foods and more

Nordic Science Café

From 2:00 – 3:00pm, in the Swaner Forum, Museum guests and Viking enthusiasts can expect exciting presentations by three Norse experts.

• With a Master of Letters in Celtic and Viking archaeology from the University of Glasgow, Kristina Stelter will be presenting Vikings: Between Myth and Truth, a brief look into who the Vikings really were, where they went, what they were looking for and why they were successful.
• William Miller, Professor and Dean Emeritus from the College of Architecture & Planning at the University of Utah will be talking about Architecture During the Viking Age, particularly how the various Viking Age structures were adapted to meet the evolving demands of climate, resources and Viking society.
• From the Nordic team at the Family History Library, Geoffrey Fröberg Morris will be presenting Are You a Viking? Morris, who is Fluent in Swedish, and an accomplished Swedish and Danish researcher, will discuss how to document genealogical records back to Viking times.

Visit https://nhmu.utah.edu/events/norse-fest for a detailed schedule of Nordic Science Café mini-lectures and additional information.

Supporting Partners

Salt Lake Scandinavian Music & Dance

Kristina Stelter

Ragnar Forge

Ann Adams

Sons of Norway

Deanna Baugh

Norwegian Bentwood Boxes

The Old Dutch Store

Salt Lake County Library

Annika Quinn

Bill Miller

Utah Division of Arts & Museums

LDS Family History Library

Harmons Neighborhood Grocer

Amour Spreads

Wulffenstejn Hardanger Fiddles

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About the Natural History Museum of Utah

The Natural History Museum of Utah is a premier scientific research and cultural institution. It opened to the public in 1969 and moved into a spectacular, award winning new home in 2011. The Museum’s 30 scientists oversee active field research programs throughout Utah, and elsewhere, and help care for natural history collections of more 1.6 million objects. NHMU offers innovative exhibitions and educational programs to thousands of residents and visitors each year, including timely and interactive temporary and permanent exhibits, numerous special events and other programs. The Museum reaches 450,000 people annually, at the Rio Tinto Center and in communities and classrooms statewide.