Germans from Russia Heritage Collection at NDSU · Fargo, ND

In Search of a Homeland

The journey of the Germans from Russia.

They were drawn by promise and driven by hardship to travel vast distances across continents in search of a homeland. The exhibit is their story of migration, displacement, but also of resilience and an enduring spirit rooted in faith, hard work, and community.

Upland Exhibits worked closely with the Germans from Russia Heritage Collection (GRHC) at North Dakota State University to design an exhibit that tells the story of the Germans from Russia. The exhibit needed to be more than a story of immigration to the United States — it needed to be a home for the objects and stories that defined their lives.

The exhibit is divided into two spaces: a hallway which documents the journey from Germany to Russia, from Russia to North America, and the gallery which shares the various aspects of their culture they brought with them.

Client: Germans from Russia Heritage Collection · North Dakota State University
Completed: 2025–2026
Scope: Exhibit Design & Fabrication

The hallway

A floor-to-ceiling graphic of a Bremen steamship ticket from the emigration years — A floor-to-ceiling mural representing the the passage from the old country.

A corridor with The Promise of America panels and the Statue of Liberty — Floor to ceiling graphic panels mounted to the wall at angles bring a more dynamic feel to the hallway space.

Broken Promises artifact cases with a red clay roof tile and period coins — The hallway displays feature a variety of internally lit object cases.

The Iron Crosses display — a wrought-iron grave cross against a deep orange wall

The Main Gallery

Wall cases of belongings in the A New Heimat section — A section dedicated to homesteading and architecture features a three-dimensional model of a German from Russia homestead.

A reading nook with stools and archival panels titled Dakota Memories — The "Dakota Memories" features a physical/digital interactive where visitors pick up the cards on the shelf, and set them on an NFC scanner to play the corresponding video on the screen mounted to the wall.

A table display of preserves, recipes, and an embroidered cloth — Food is an important part of life on the prairie and a way to preserve culture. The case features objects brought along by the Germans from Russia.

A bold red and black graphic wall titled Those Who Stayed — A somber room dedicated to those who stayed and the hardships they endured.

The Heart of Prairie Life quote wall reading We did everything

“Upland Exhibits was an exceptional partner throughout this project. Their team took the time to understand the history, community, and experience we hoped to create. They brought our vision to life through remarkable creativity, craftsmanship, and innovative technology. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with visitors and members of the Germans from Russia community expressing how meaningful it is to see this shared history honored in such an engaging and lasting way.”

Jeremy Kopp · Germans from Russia Heritage Collection