During our time in Fargo, North Dakota, we learned that their metropolitan area includes Moorhead, Minnesota. The concept of dual cities was not new to us. We live in a city that sprawls across the state line between Kansas and Missouri. While much of our visit was spent on the western side of the state line, we did cross over to visit the Hjemkomst Center. This cultural history museum focuses on the region’s Norwegian influence. Our knowledge on this subject is limited, so we found this a great way to gain some understanding.
Under Wraps
Approaching the Hjemkomst Center we spotted the oversized tent-like structure. The necessity for this cover became apparent when we went inside. We were surprised to see a full-size replica of the Gokstad Viking ship. The original was discovered in Norway back in 1880. A hundred years later, this replica was sailed from Duluth, Minnesota to Oslo, Norway. One year later it would return to the United States.
Hjemkomst Center Exhibits
While the Viking ship is one of the Hjemkomst Center’s main attractions, it also exhibits regional history. We made our way through some displays picking up tidbits of useful knowledge. While not a first for us, we are always amazed when we are reminded how many settlers traveled with a pull cart.
Indigenous Discord
When we came to the exhibit that focuses on Indigenous people, it caused us to pause. My research on the treatment of native tribes in Canada uncovered a different approach than in the United States. Our northern neighbors used a working relationship approach that yielded positive results. In the U.S., the seek-and-destroy method attempted to exterminate the people who were here long before Europeans arrived.
Hopperstad Stave Church
The Hjemkomst Center held another surprise for us. We joined a tour preparing to head out to the back of the museum. As we followed the group, a beautiful wooden structure came into view. This is a replica of a Norwegian stave church. Constructed of pine, cedar, and redwood, it makes quite a first impression.
It's All In The Details
After hearing details about the construction of the church, we headed inside. The unusual door reminded me of something that Tolkien would have imagined. Once inside, we hadn’t expected to find a cavernous space. As the lesson continued, I was drawn to the sheer rugged beauty of the structure. It took a few minutes before I was able to focus on finer details.
Facing the Past
The Hopperstad Stave Church has plenty of small details that beg to be examined. Each discovery added to our curiosity about this building. Intricate carvings line posts, while paintings cover the inside of the sanctuary ceiling. We could have spent more time searching for discoveries, but the tour was wrapping up.
Visiting the Hjemkomst Center
Back outside, we walked around the church, looking at the various angles and shadows. It is certainly a remarkable structure and one worth the visit. Admission to the Hjemkomst Center is $12 for adults and $8 for kids. The museum hosts various traveling exhibits throughout the year, so each visit would be unique. As we made our way back to the car, I kept wondering what it would be like to sail across the Atlantic Ocean in that Viking ship.
