Eric Nelson, National Nordic Museum CEO and Executive Director, was named Swedish American of the Year by the Vasa Order of America in August in recognition of his work in establishing the Museum as the only museum in the United States – and indeed the world – that showcases the impact and influence of Nordic values and innovation in contemporary society.

Welcome to 2019, and the first of many full years in our beautiful new home. We hope to see you around the Museum this year!

Happy New Year, 2018 is finally here—and the new Museum's Grand Opening is less than four months away! In construction news, I'm happy to report that the large-scale work of designing and constructing the building has shifted to focus on all the details that will turn that building into the Nordic Museum: installing the exhibitions, migrating the staff, and moving and unpacking the permanent collection.

The new Museum is already seeing some great press, too! Last week, Artnet News listed the Nordic Museum as one of the Biggest, Baddest, Boldest Museum Openings in 2018; this week, we've been mentioned as one of 15 noteworthy museums opening in 2018 by Architectural Digest and as a place to go by The New York Times. If you haven't seen the lists yet, we highly recommend you take a look! 

Though our construction project is largely complete and we have much to celebrate, we still have some funds to raise for the building project. If you know anyone interested in supporting this noteworthy and important project, now is the time! Plaques purchased before January 31 will be in place in time for the Grand Opening in May.

December is here, and as I reflect on what has happened over the past year, I'm amazed by all the progress we've made on the new Museum project.

Now that the Museum's Webster School location is closed to the public, we've officially entered our transition period. For the past several weeks, we've been hard at work collaborating with our exhibition designers to develop the new core exhibition's media features, preparing for the move, and planning for the new Museum's Grand Opening—among many other exciting things!

This holiday season, as you consider your year-end giving, please know that the Museum would welcome gifts to the campaign at any level. Our Museum has been built and sustained by its community. Now that we're in the home stretch of the project, your contribution is critical to help us meet our fundraising goal and ensure the new Museum's successful future.

It's been a busy six months here at the Museum! Following this past weekend's Yulefest celebration, we officially closed our doors to the public to make our official move to our new home at 2655 NW Market Street. The new Museum will open next May, and we're hard at work planning a host of great events and programs to mark the occasion! Be sure to save the date: Our Grand Opening celebration will be held May 5–6, 2018.