Icelandic Rootshús-INLUS Webinar

An Icelandic Heritage Center is Rising in North Dakota.

On August 1, 2026, a groundbreaking ceremony in Mountain, North Dakota, signaled the beginning of a new chapter in the Icelandic Roots organization.

Groundbreaking Ceremony at Icelandic Rootshús, August 1, 2026

When that first shovel full of dirt was dug, it also signaled the beginning of an Icelandic heritage center that celebrates and honors the Icelandic people who came to North America to create a new life and future for themselves and their descendants.

Rootshús is being built on the historic homestead of Rev. Páll Þorláksson, directly across from Víkur Church, the oldest Icelandic church in North America.

Construction progress on November 4, 2026

In this webinar, Icelandic Roots president Sunna Olafson Furstenau will share the latest construction progress and take you inside the plans for Rootshús. She will show elements of the center, including the Emigration Trail, Saga Hall, Children’s Discovery area, library and collections, gathering spaces, and some of the technology and interactive experiences being developed.

Furstenau will also talk about what comes next as the project moves from construction into creating the exhibits, spaces and experiences that will bring Rootshús to life. Icelandic Roots is a member organization of the INLUS.

The Rootshús Grand Opening is planned for July 31, 2027.

Artist depiction of completed Rootshús heritage center.

When it opens, Rootshús will be a living cultural and heritage center — a place to preserve our stories, explore the emigration experience, discover family connections, learn, gather, and welcome future generations.

This event is open to the public and will be recorded.