A new perspective on today’s migration
The Western Norwegian Emigration Centre is a real Norwegian-American prairie village, which has been moved from the USA to Sletta on Radøy. All the buildings were erected by Norwegian-Americans in Minnesota and Dakota between 1860 and 1920, where they were in use for many years. Then times changed, and towards the end of the 20th century the buildings stood empty. Then they were given as gifts back to Norway, dismantled and shipped across the Atlantic.
At the Emigration Centre, visitors learn about what it was like for Norwegian emigrants to America, and we draw lines to cultural encounters in our own time. Work immigrants, refugees and other immigrants who come to Norway, bring with them their own culture, and also adapt to our society.
The buildings at Sletta were dismantled by volunteers and shipped across the sea, before being rebuilt here, by the volunteers and founders of the museum. In 2010, The Museum Centre in Hordaland (MUHO) took over the management of the centre, aiming to show and tell stories about what people left behind in Norway, and what they foundin America. Even if they only brought a few things with them in their suitcases, their Norwegian culture was always with them.
In addition to guided tours during the summer season, we arrange a variety of events throughout the year, mainly focused on emigration to America.