In 1974, the college mounted a major show in Steensland of the art collection of Richard Tetlie '43, a grandson of H. T. Ytterboe. After renovations in 1976, Steensland Hall became Steensland Gallery, and it remained the principal St. Olaf gallery until the opening of the new art museum in the Dittmann Center in 2002. In addition to regular faculty and student art exhibits, the gallery offered showings, over the years, of Edvard Munch and Kaare Nygaard, of African and Latino art, and of selections from the collection of Dan Schneider '69.

Despite its modest proportions (30 by 58 feet), no St. Olaf building served more purposes in the 20th century than Steensland Hall. In the summer of 2002, it was made handicapped accessible for classroom purposes; but as Steensland begins its second century of service, it awaits a new assignment.