History tends to repeat itself, which means there’s a good chance you’ll get run over by another viking. Admire what Scandinavian history has taught us thus far with today’s Groupon, which scores you membership or admission to the Nordic Heritage Museum, the only museum in the U.S. dedicated to the legacy of immigrants from all five Nordic countries—Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. Choose one of three options:

• $6 for two single-day admission passes (up to a $12 value)
• $17 for an individual membership (up to a $35 value)
• $30 for a family membership (a $60 value)

Individual membership grants you:

• One membership card
• Unlimited free admission for the cardholder
• Invitation to exhibit previews and receptions
• Unlimited use of its research library (by appointment)
• Discounts to many museum-sponsored events
• Subscription to Nordic News
• Reciprocal admission to Nordic-American sister museums

Family memberships provide all the individual benefits, plus extra cards for family members and the option to receive special Kid's Corner emailings.

The Nordic Heritage Museum's three floors of permanent exhibits cover the breadth of the Nordic immigrants' experiences in America. The museum's three floors of exhibits also celebrate the common bonds between the peoples and countries they came from that exist even today. Lifelike dioramas chart the progress of Scandinavian immigrants as they worked in the Pacific Northwest's logging and fishing industries, wrote best-selling mysteries, and composed irresistibly catchy dance-pop. Clothing, textiles, and other artifacts are on display in the cultural galleries of each Nordic country, and the Folk Art galleries have recently been re-opened.

Current and upcoming non-permanent exhibits include Somebody's Grandma, a photographic exploration of heritage and identity through first-person interviews and portrait photography. 100 Years of Women’s Voices and Action in Finland chronicles the activism and legislation that led Finland to become the second country in the world to grant women the vote—and the first to make women eligible for Parliamentary elections. Lost in Nature: The Architecture of Jarmund/Vigsnaes concerns the striking works of the Oslo-based architecture firm and explores how it was influenced by Norway's natural landscapes.

You must redeem this Groupon for membership within three months; single-admission tickets must be redeemed within a year. Admission Groupons are valid for use within one year. Current members may use this Groupon to renew membership.

Reviews

Frommer’s highly recommends the Nordic Heritage Museum. Yelpers give the museum an average of 4.5 stars, and six CityVoters award it a perfect five stars:

• Housed in a former school building, this is primarily a neighborhood museum focusing on the experiences of Scandinavian immigrants in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood. However, it also mounts exhibits of Scandinavian and Scandinavian-inspired art, and these temporary exhibits are what make the Nordic Heritage Museum worth seeking out for those who aren't of Scandinavian heritage. – Frommer’s
• Great showing of local heritage. – Bendimus, CityVoter

Photo by Kerstin Alm.