Explore Nordic history and culture over the last twelve thousand years and learn how it influenced the growth of Seattle as a regional and national leader in arts, culture, and business. Visiting exhibitions are drawn from contemporary artists and collections of leading Nordic institutions.

Nordic Journeys explores the five Nordic countries—Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden—and looks at the autonomous territories of Faroe Islands, Greenland, and the Åland Islands, as well as the cultural region of Sápmi, home of the indigenous Sámi people.

Though from different nations and backgrounds, the Nordic people are guided by their common values: a commitment to social justice, an abiding respect for nature, an intellectual curiosity, and an openness to new ideas. You will encounter these values throughout the Nordic Journeys exhibition.

Nordic Journeys features not only beloved and important artifacts from the Museum’s own permanent collection of nearly 80,000 objects, but also nearly 100 objects on loan from the National Museums of all five Nordic countries and significant American collections.

You will encounter utilitarian stone axes and tools that are more than four thousand years old; the rich contents of a Viking grave; rare religious objects from the Christianization of the Nordic region; the traditional objects of everyday life at home and at work; as well as iconic examples of twentieth-century modern design.

Emigration from the Nordic region brought millions of settlers to North America—many of whom found a new home in the Pacific Northwest, including the Ballard area where the National Nordic Museum is located today. Embark on a journey through the extraordinary history of the Nordic region and Nordic emigration.

Along the way, you will meet ancient nomadic and contemporary semi-nomadic peoples, Vikings, explorers, emigrants, and expatriates—all with a story to tell!