The museum serves as a community gathering place and shares Nordic culture by exhibiting art and objects, preserving collections, and providing educational and cultural experiences from Danish, Finnish, Icelandic, Norwegian and Swedish Americans.

This building had housed the Daniel Webster Elementary School from 1907 to 1979,[1] at which time low student enrollment led to its closure.

This building, commissioned by the Museum, opened May 5, 2018, and was dedicated by Icelandic president Guðni Th.

[2][3] The non-profit museum's mission is to share "Nordic culture with people of all ages and backgrounds by exhibiting art and objects, preserving collections, providing educational and cultural experiences, and serving as a community gathering place."

The Nordic Museum contains a Cultural Resource Center, that includes the Walter Johnson Memorial Library which was founded in 1980.

[9] As part of the long term exhibits, the old Nordic Heritage Museum had five ethnic galleries, one for each country, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, as well a gallery, "Dream of America", describing Nordic emigration to the Pacific Northwest.

The exhibit ranges from 4,000-year-old stone axes and Viking-era artifacts to examples of modern Nordic design.

[11] The event features food and craft vendors, Scandinavian music, and a Viking Encampment.