Click the name of each location for a link to more information on that attraction.
Do you have suggested additions to this list?
Please e-mail FFN Communications Manager: Kath Usitalo at kathusitalo @ mac.com
SEVERAL OF THESE SITES ARE HOME TO CHAPTERS AFFILIATED WITH FINLANDIA FOUNDATION NATIONAL; THEY ARE INDICATED BY (FFN).
ALASKA
Click here for information about Finnish-American sites in Alaska.
CALIFORNIA
The Finnish Hall, Berkeley
Kaleva Hall was built in just three months in 1932 by Finnish immigrant families, and is home to Finnish Lodge #21 (Finlandia Foundation Berkeley chapter). The hall continues to host annual and special events, and it is also used by other local groups for their activities. (FFN)
House of Finland, San Diego
Founded in early 1940 as part of San Diego’s assistance to the people of Finland during the Winter War, the House of Finland brings to life the culture and face of Finland for the citizenry and visitors in Balboa Park’s unique international village. The Finnish cottage, filled with Finnish design, is open on Sunday afternoons, and House of Finland hosts several special events throughout the year. (FFN)
The Fenyes Mansion, which was the home of Consul Y.A. “George” Paloheimo and his wife Leonora Curtin was the birthplace of Finlandia Foundation National in 1953. It is now a part of the Pasadena history museum complex. Visitors may take a Fenyes mansion guided tour of the gracious 1906 Beaux Arts-style home, which was in Leonora’s family.
The tour includes the Finnish Folk Art Museum (shown) housed in the sauna tupa, which Yrjö had constructed using a rustic building he had moved onto the grounds.
Click here for details on what you’ll find in the museum.
The mansion has been used as a film location since 1912, when it was a setting for D.W. Griffith’s When Kings were the Law (aka The Necklace).
You’ll catch glimpses of the house in several other productions including the movies Being There and The Social Network, television’s The West Wing, and the Beyonce music video “Formation.”
CONNECTICUT
Click here for information about the Finnish Hall and Finnish American Heritage Society in Canterbury
DELAWARE
Kalmar Nyckel
The tall ship Kalmar Nyckel is a replica of the vessel that brought immigrants from Sweden and Finland to North America in 1638. These settlers established the first permanent European settlement in the Delaware Valley. The full-scale recreation was built in 1997.
She sails on a variety of cruises open to the public from April-October out of her home port at Wilmington, Delaware and other East Coast ports. Deck tours are often available.
New Sweden Centre
A “museum without walls” represents the history of the colonial settlement through exhibits at several location in the Wilmington area as well as through the annual Colonists’ Day, with costumed interpreters, each April.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Embassy of Finland, Washington D.C.
The official home of the Republic of Finland in the U.S., the Finnish Embassy building is located on Massachusetts Avenue, across from the residence of the Vice President. The architecturally striking building evokes the woods and essence of Finland, and utilizes copper, glass and wood throughout. In addition to offices, it houses a sauna and an airy public space that is used for art exhibits and events. The Embassy hosts occasional public tours; check the website for the schedule.
FLORIDA
Click here for information about Finnish-American sites in Florida.
INDIANA
Miller House and Garden
Considered one of the finest examples of mid-century modern home design, the Miller House in Columbus, Indiana was created by the team of Eero Saarinen, Alexander Girard and Dan Kiley. Commissioned in 1953, the Miller House was occupied until 2009 when it was bequeathed to the Indianapolis Museum of Art. The home is open and tours are available year-round. Columbus is about 50 miles south of Indianapolis. Click here for Vintage Shots of Eero Saarinen’s Masterful Miller House.
MAINE
Finnish-American Heritage Society of Maine, West Paris
The museum displays photos and artifacts related to the Finnish community including the churches and Co-Op. It is housed in a boarding house where many immigrant Finnish men stayed when they arrived in America. The building has an import shop. (FFN)
Finnish Congregational Church and Parsonage, Thomaston
The church was built in 1921 and the parsonage (now the Finnish Heritage House) in 1925 by the Finnish community. The structures are on the National Register of Historic Places.
Finnish Farmers Club, Monson
Local Finnish families got together in 1935 to preserve their heritage, transforming a schoolhouse into a Finn Hall that has been expanded over the decades. The group hosts dances, suppers and other activities throughout the summer months. (FFN)
Finnish Heritage House, South Thomaston
Visitors are welcome to view special exhibits and attend events and activities at this center in South Thomaston. It is also a home for Finnish genealogical research. It was built as the parsonage for the Finnish Congregational Church. (FFN)
MASSACHUSETTS
Cape Ann: Click here for information about the Cape Ann Finns and the Finnish heritage of the Rockport and Gloucester area.
The Finnish Center at Saima Park, Fitchburg
The Saima social group for Finnish immigrants dates to 1898. Saima Hall was built in the early 1900s. It and the outdoor pavilion, sports field and grounds with nature and XC-ski trails are busy throughout the year with a variety of activities, from the monthly pannukakku breakfasts to a tori, summer festival and more. (FFN)
Finnish Heritage Society, Sovittaja, Rutland
The Finnish Heritage Society, Sovittaja is the continuation name of the Finnish Temperance Society, Sovittaja which was formed in Worcester, MA in 1890. Dances, suppers and other activities are held at the hall in the warm weather months. (FFN)
Fitchburg Historical Society
A new (Spring 2016) brochure of a self-guided walking tour of Fitchburg includes the historically Finnish neighborhood and views of the granite hill where many Finnish immigrants worked in the quarries.
The Scandinavian Library, West Newton
Open on Saturdays, the library has more than 6,000 books by Nordic authors, including children’s books, about the countries and cultures of Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Iceland. The Kaffestugan coffee shop is open during library hours, and the website has an online catalog.
MICHIGAN
Detroit Finnish Cooperative Summer Camp Association, Wixom
Finn Camp was founded in 1925 and some members have seasonal, one-room camps on the property, where there are lakes, a sauna, dance hall and summertime, outdoor Ravintola which serves ethnic foods, including mojakka (beef stew), pasties, and pulla as well as American food. The many events include Juhannus, dances in the hall and Finn Fest.
Finlandia University, Hancock
Founded in 1896 as Suomi College, this private, liberal arts school in Hancock was founded by Finns and is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. More than 540 students from six countries attend Finlandia.
Finnish American Heritage Center, Hancock
A part of Finlandia University, this cultural center has an art gallery and hosts exhibits and programs open to the public. This is also the home of the monthly newspaper, the Finnish American Reporter. Its archive houses about 20,000 items, the largest collection of Finnish-American materials in the world. Be sure to check out North Wind Books—a bookstore and more! Outside of the center, see the monument to Lauri “Big Louie” Moilanen, the tallest man in the world in the early 1900s.
Finnish Cultural Center, Farmington Hills
The Detroit area Finnish community organized the Finnish Center Association in 1966, and by 1974 had constructed its Cultural Center as a hub of social and educational activities. In addition to the hall and lounge, there is a library, imports in the gift shop, gardens and woodworking shop. Check the website for the many activities year-round. (FFN)
Hancock
The home of Finlandia University displays its Finnish roots on street signage and formation of the Finnish Theme Committee of Hancock, sponsor of activities such as January’s Heikinpäivä, an indoor/outdoor celebration of winter with a Finnish-American twist. (FFN)
Hanka Homestead, Askel
This remote 40-acre farm near Baraga and the Keweenaw Peninsula in the Upper Peninsula was home to the immigrant Finnish Hanka family for 70 years, from 1896-1966. They built the farmhouse, barns, sauna and other outbuildings of hand-hewn logs. The farm is preserved as it was in 1920; little changed from that era through 1966 when Jalmer, a son who lived on the farm, died. Tours are offered from Memorial Day through the fall color season; see website for days and times.
Kaleva
This farming community in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, 10 miles from Lake Michigan, was settled by Finnish immigrants in 1900. Many of the street names were taken from Finland’s epic poem, “The Kalevala.” An interesting (seasonal) attraction is the Bottle House, built by John Makinen for his family home, incorporating 60,000 glass pop bottles. Now a museum, exhibits include information about the local Finnish culture. A giant metal grasshopper sculpture is a salute to the story of St. Urho, a legendary figure who saved Finland’s grape crop by chasing the insects out of the country.
Kaleva Cafe, Hancock
More than a century of serving coffee, nisu, prune tarts, pannukakku, and lunch and dinner, too.
Keweenaw National Historical Park, Keweenaw Peninsula
Copper was mined for centuries in the northernmost point of the Upper Peninsula, and Finnish immigrants were an important part of the labor force that came from many nations. Their stories are told throughout this national park, which is comprised of 21 Keweenaw Heritage Sites that are related to the region’s copper industry. Get oriented at the National Park Visitor Center in Calumet.
Nestledown Bed & Breakfast, Marquette
Specially-built to reflect the Finnish and Scandinavian heritage of the owners, this two-story traditional red-with-white-trim B&B has five guest rooms, a suite and carriage house apartment. Guests enjoy two common areas and a sauna. Nordic foods are on the breakfast buffet. Lake Superior and a park are across the street.
Punzel Scandinavia, Buckley
Stroll the storybook gardens and inside the cottage find imported goods from Finland and the other Nordic countries. (Near Traverse City)
Saarinen House, Bloomfield Hills
On the campus of the Cranbrook Educational Community in suburban Detroit, the home of Finnish-American designer Eliel Saarinen—Cranbrook’s first resident architect and the Art Academy’s first president and head of the Architecture Department—and Loja Saarinen—the Academy’s first head of the Weaving Department, is an Art Deco jewel filled with the work of the creative couple. The home is open for public tours from mid-May through late November.
Scandinavian Gifts, Marquette
A wide variety of imported goods and foods from Finland and the other Nordic countries, and gifts from the Upper Peninsula.
Suomi Home Bakery Restaurant, Houghton
Serving pannukakku, nisu, blueberry pancakes and authentic specials like kalamojakka at this breakfast and lunch spot.
Swedish Passport Company, Norway
Many rooms of an historic house filled with a wide variety of imports from Finland and the other Nordic countries, from food and clothing to kitchen ware, holiday decorations and more.
Touch of Finland, Marquette
Wonderful selection of imports, from iitala glass to licorice, Toikka birds, plus sauna necessities, clothing, books and much more.
Trenary Home Bakery, Trenary
Founded in the home of the Syrannen family in 1928, this bakery in the tiny Upper Peninsula farming community keeps alive the tradition of Finnish korppu, the twice-baked cinnamon toast popular for dunking. The brown bags of toast are also sold in markets and come in many variations, including cardamom, plain and dipped in chocolate. The cafe serves freshly baked goods, too.
MINNESOTA
Cokato Museum & Akerlund Studio
This history museum tells the story of the first Finnish immigrants to Minnesota.
Esko Historical Museum
A schoolhouse, grist mill, riihi (grain drying shed), savu sauna, and 1898 log farm house tell the story of this Finnish community. A monument, inscribed in English and Finnish, honors the pioneers who arrived in 1872.
Finland Minnesota Heritage Site
A collection of buildings related to Finnish-American experience, including a sauna, blacksmith shop, 1890 homestead, 1917 schoolhouse, visitor center and Heritage Museum.
Finn Creek Open Air Museum
An 18-acre site near New York Mills includes a 1900 farmstead, savu smoke sauna and more. The Finn Creek Festival takes place each August. The first Finnish settlers arrived in New York Mills in 1874.
Finnish Pioneers Marker, Hibbing
This tribute to the early Finnish settlers in the iron mining town of Hibbing was erected in 1957 by the Minnesota Finnish-American Historical Society.
Hjemkomst Center
The multi-purpose civic hall in Moorhead is home of the Viking ship Hjemkomst, http://www.hcscconline.org/current-exhibits/hjemkomst-viking-ship/ modeled after a burial ship from 800 AD. There is a replica of a Norwegian Stave Church, and the annual Scandinavian Hjemkomst and Midwest Viking Festival.
Mesaba Co-op Park, Hibbing
One of the last, continuously operated cooperative parks in the U.S., the park opened in 1929 and served as a gathering place for Finnish immigrants who held political rallies and social events. The 240-acre park is member-owned but open to the public, and is the scene of annual events, speakers and other activities.
The Nordic Center
A gathering place in Duluth for those interested in the Danish, Finnish, Icelandic, Norwegian and Swedish cultures. The center hosts events, language classes, cultural and children’s programs, and has a gift shop.
St. Urho Statue
This tower sculpture in Menahga honors St. Urho, the Legendary Patron Saint of Finland. St. Urho is credited with chasing the grasshoppers out of Finland and saving the grape crop and wine industry. Unheralded in Finland, he is celebrated every March 16 in various communities in the U.S.
Virginia Heritage Museum
Olcott Park is the setting for a traditional Finnish log house and a museum with exhibits that feature the area’s logging and lumbering history and life of the Iron Range.
MONTANA
Finn Town, Red Lodge
Finnish immigrants became the largest work force in the coal mines in the 1890s. A walking tour of Red Lodge points out several boarding houses (with saunas) that were home to the single working men.
Finnish Kaleva Park, Red Lodge
The 40-acre recreation area along Rock Creek includes a main hall and sauna, cared for by the Red Lodge Knights and Ladies of Kaleva, which occasionally hosts events at the park. (FFN)
NEW JERSEY
The Nothnagle Cabin
Finnish settlers built this log cabin between 1638-1643. It is believed to be the oldest log cabin in the U.S. Now a private home, the residents open their doors to interested parties on an informal basis. Click here for a news article about the cabin.
NEW MEXICO
Acequia Madre House, Santa Fe
The home was built in 1927 by Eva Scott Fényes, her daughter, Leonora S. M. Curtin and granddaughter, Leonora F. Curtin, who later became Mrs. Yrjö Paloheimo.
El Rancho De Las Golondrinas, Santa Fe
The premiere living history museum in the southwest, “The Ranch of the Swallows” dates to the 1700s and was a stop along the Camino Real road between Mexico City and Santa Fe. The Finnish connection? The property was purchased by Leonora Curtin and her mother in 1932; Leonora married Yrjö Paloheimo in 1946 and the couple would go on to found Finlandia Foundation National at their home in Pasadena in 1953. They restored historic buildings and transformed the ranch into a slice of the past, preserving the heritage of the people and place. Self-guided and docent-led tours are available, and there are many special events throughout the season. (Closed November-March)
NEW YORK
Click here for information about Finns in New York City
OHIO
Finnish American Cultural Center, Ashtabula
The home of the Finnish-American Heritage Association is a log structure constructed on the former site of Sovinto Hall, built in 1897 in the Ashtabula Harbor. Enjoy displays and events hosted by FAHA (FFN).
Finnish Heritage Museum, Fairport Harbor
Dedicated to preserving Finnish and Finnish-North American heritage and culture, the museum displays collections and offers programs open to the public. (FFN)
OREGON
Astoria
The seaside city, where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean, attracted Finnish immigrants in the late 1800s to early 1900s to farm and to work in the fishing, forestry and canning industries. At one time it was the home to the largest settlement of Finns west of the Mississippi. Remaining evidence of the once-bustling ethnic community include the 1886 Suomi-Hall, the home of the Finnish Brotherhood, and the popular Finn Ware shop.
Finnish Independence Monument, Portland
In honor of the 100th anniversary of Finland’s independence from Russia, in 2017 a striking tribute was commissioned and installed on the grounds of Nordia House. The towering slab of Finnish granite bears the Finnish coat of arms and the words “Independent Finland” in Finnish, Swedish and English. 
Lindgren Cabin, Cullaby Lake
In the 1920s Erick Lindgren, a Swedish Finn immigrant, constructed an ax-hewn home in northwest Oregon. The 40-foot long, 24-foot wide cabin has been preserved and the site is open to the public on weekends from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Click here for the story of the cabin and the family who lived there, by Finlandia Foundation Columbia-Pacific Chapter President Greg Jacob. Click here for additional photos, including the interior, by Pirjo and Dirk Schulbach.
Nordia House, Portland
The “home for all things Nordic in Oregon and southwest Washington” hosts a busy schedule of exhibits, films, cooking classes, dancing, holiday events and more, all connected to the cultures of Denmark, Iceland, Finland, Norway and Sweden. Nordic Northwest, the organization behind the cultural center, opened the beautiful building in 2015. Enjoy brunch, lunch and cocktails at Broder Söder, the Scandinavian cafe.
PENNSYLVANIA
Finnish Settlers Monument, Chester
A massive bas relief marble sculpture by Wäinö Aaltonen depicts the arrival of Finnish pioneers in America in 1638. The tribute was installed at Crozer Park and dedicated in 1938. Each June the Delaware Valley Finnish Americans and Finnish American Society of the Delaware Valley host a ceremony at the monument honoring the first settlers of 1638.
John Morton Homestead, Prospect Park
Finnish immigrant Morten Mortenson arrived in New Sweden in the mid-seventeenth century and built a small cabin, that was eventually enlarged into the home where one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence was raised. John Morton, Mortenson’s grandson, served in the Pennsylvania colonial assembly and was a member of the First and Second Continental Congresses.
American Swedish Historical Museum, South Philadelphia
The museum resembles a Swedish manor house and is on land that was part of a land grant from Queen Christina of Sweden to Sven Skute, a 17th century colonist. Exhibits include galleries dedicated to the New Sweden Colony established in 1638 in the Delaware Valley. Open year round.
SOUTH DAKOTA
Savo Hall, Brown County
Built as the Finnish National Society Hall in 1899 for and by the local immigrant community, this is the last remaining Finn Hall in the area. It is the scene of occasional performances and activities. Savo is located northeast of the town of Frederick, which was settled by Finnish immigrants and is named for Kustaa “Frederick” Bergstadius.
TEXAS
For more about TexFinns, click here.
WASHINGTON
National Nordic Museum
The Seattle museum opened in May of 2018, with more exhibition and activity space for the cultural center that is designed to “honor the legacy of immigrants from the five Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.” In addition to its permanent collection, the museum hosts special exhibits and events year-round.
Finnish Lutheran Church of Seattle
The congregation formed in 1919 and in 1920 was accepted into the Suomi Synod of the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Church of Seattle. The current church building, constructed in 1954, utilizes wood, tapestries and a simple design. Services are held weekly, with the sermon sometimes in Finnish.
Swedish Finn Historical Society, Seattle
The mission of SFHS is to gather and preserve the emigration history of Swedish Finns across the world, connect Swedish Finns to their roots in Finland, and celebrate our cultural heritage. The organization’s office and archives are located in Seattle, (FFN)
WISCONSIN
Little Finland, Hurley
Cultural center, gift shop with imported goods and museum with Finnish artifacts, most of which came with their owners from Finland, such as Bibles, a rug loom, musical instruments and curios. Visitors to Little Finland will also enjoy touring Harma House, an authentic early 20th century Finnish home.
Oulu Cultural and Heritage Center
The township of Oulu in northern Wisconsin is in the process of preserving and creating displays for exhibit at two homes, traditional sauna and schoolhouse.