The Nordic Heritage Museum has completed a $5.1 million deal to purchase the Fenpro Building on Market Street to build a larger and more modern facility to meet its growing needs.
This is the prime location the museum Board of Directors was seeking. "We wanted to be very visible," said Executive Director Marianne Forssblad .
Now that the deal has been finalized, the first phase of the Nordic Heritage Museum Capital Campaign is done.
A long list of donors made the property acquisition possible. Three Ballard families made major gifts of $1 million or more said Forssblad. Hundreds of individuals and families made additional contributions.
The museum has set a long-term goal of raising $37 million to build the new facility. This total includes a $5 million endowment to ensure the growth of the new museum after it opens.
"People are excited. We need to continue the upward movement. It's not going to be an easy thing. It will take several more years," said Forssblad.
The museum was founded in 1979 to honor the Scandinavian immigrants who came to the Northwest in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
The current museum has 41,000 square feet of space. It was formerly known as the Webster School and was built in 1907.
The building lacks sufficient space to host international film festivals, folk groups and large dance troupes. Museum lighting is limited due to old wiring. This same wiring prevents the installation of interactive computer technology.
The Fenpro Building will allow the museum to expand its exhibit area with 55,000 square feet and state of the art amenities.
In addition to more fundraising, the second phase includes the start of the new museum's pre-design.
Forssblad says the process includes figuring out what the museum wants in the new building, the space allowance and determining how many staff they will need to operate the museum.
"It will be a building that has facets and aspects of Scandinavian architecture and design," said Forssblad.
Over 55,000 people visit the Nordic Heritage Museum each year. Educational programs are attended by 6,000 children and adults. There are over 200 volunteers who put in 21,000 hours of service.
Visit www.nordicmuseum.org.
