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September 7: Construction Update

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Written September 06, 2017

Those of you who have driven by the construction site may have noticed a striking shift in the building's exterior. The zinc siding is nearly complete, giving the structure a monumental presence and a feeling of permanence. Storefronts have been installed along Market Street, and windows along the pedestrian walkway provide glimpses into the café and classroom spaces. In the interior, significant electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and insulation work has been done, and the sheetrock walls now reveal the breathtaking design of Fjord Hall.

Over the next 30 days...

The dramatic curtain walls are presently under construction and should be complete by the end of September, along with the zinc siding, exterior windows, and roofing. At this time, the building envelope will be complete, officially sealing the space from the elements. Inside the Museum, the construction team will finish the interior wall framing, allowing the building to fully take shape. They will continue to work on the drywall, plumbing, HVAC, and electrical installations through September and October. In mid-December, we will begin moving our offices and collections into the new space.

Want to keep track of the Museum's progress?

We'll be posting updates to our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, so be sure to follow us! For the latest drone footage, check out our YouTube channel.

Campaign Update

The last leg of our journey is off to a wonderful start! Since last month's update, the Capital Campaign has gained $1 million toward the $47 million building project. This leaves us with just a little less than $4.5 million left to raise to reach our project goal.

How can you support the Museum?

  • Contribute to the Campaign! Make a donation or purchase a plaque. For more information about plaques, donations, and other ways to support the Museum, please contact Deputy Director Jan Woldseth Colbrese at 206.789.5707 x39 or janwc@nordicmuseum.org.
  • Become a Member! Nordic Heritage Museum Members get more, especially when it comes to the new Museum! If you join now, you'll get all the usual perks, plus access to Members-only events in the month leading up to the opening and the opportunity to visit the new Museum before it opens to the public. To learn more about Membership, contact Kelsey Svaren at 206.789.5707 x24 or kelseys@nordicmuseum.org.
  • Attend our events and festivals! The Museum's schedule is packed with fall programs. To learn more about our upcoming events, click here.

Upcoming Events

Our latest exhibition, Susan Ringstad Emery, opens tomorrow! The daughter of an Alaskan Iñupiat mother and a Scandinavian father, Susan Ringstad Emery is a Seattle-area artist whose work explores her diverse cultural heritage. Her contemporary native artworks feature subjects that can be found in both cultures, such as reindeer, coastal landscapes, ravens, shamans, and the Northern Lights.

Members have the opportunity to attend a special Members-only preview of the exhibition tonight at 6 p.m. RSVP for the Member Preview here.

As we continue to celebrate the centennial of Finland’s independence, we are delighted to welcome the Novus Project back for a live concert. At 4 p.m. Sunday, September 10, they will play music by Finnish composers of the past and present, including the vocal and instrumental music of Jean Sibelius (1865-1957) and Aulis Sallinen (b.1935), among others. Get your tickets today!