History, Museums & Archives Category

This category is further subdivided as follows:

• Archives in Finland
• Archives Outside Finland
• History
• History of Finns Outside Finland
• Maritime History
• Museums
• Natural History

Updated: Thu 19 Oct 2006

• Institute of Migration (Finland)
  Homepage lists the types of information and records available from the Institute. Includes emigrant register, migration statistics, passenger records of the Finland Steamship Co. (287,000 records), passport records (76,000 records), church records of Finnish-Swedish congregations in America, info on Finns deceased abroad, list of Finns in New Zealand (1000 names), list of Finns who travelled to America via Denmark between 1868-1896 (500 records), etc.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Kansan Arkisto: The People's Archives
  The People's Archives are the central archives of the Finnish left-wing labour movement and popular organizations. The institution was established in 1945. The Archives undertakes to collect and record material related to the social and cultural history of the left-wing labour movement, popular organisations and the working class in Finland."
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Military Archives
  Overview of activities. "The Military Archives is the repository of the archives for the Ministry of Defence, the Defence Forces and the Frontier Guard. It was founded in 1918 and is after the National Archives the second eldest public archives in Finland." Lists soldiers of 1939-1945 wars. Links.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• SEA The Finnish Film Archive
  General info. "The Archive has Finland's largest and most versatile library of film literature containing a reference library, a lending library of film (incl. inter-library loans), research facilities, a collection of some 45,000 clippings as well as film magazines from all over the world."
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• The Finnish Labour Archives
  "Founded in 1909, the Finnish Labour Archives have collected together and collated archive material and materials related to the heritage of the working class movement, both in Finland and abroad, over a period of more than eighty years."
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• The Literature Archives of the Finnish Literature Society
  "Since 1831 the Finnish Literature Society (SKS) has promoted Finnish oral tradition, the Finnish language and literature."
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• The People's Archive
  "The Peoples Archives (maintained by the Social Archives Foundation) are the central archives of the Finnish left-wing labour movement and popular organisations. The institution was established in 1945 and has received statutory aid since 1975. The Archives undertakes to collect and record material related to the social and cultural history of the the left-wing labour movement, popular organisations and the working class in Finland."
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  

• 1up info - Finland - Origins of the Finns
  e-History with index.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• A Brief History of Helsinki
  The town of Helsinki was founded in 1550 by King Gustavus Vasa of Sweden (to which Finland belonged for many centuries) as a new trading post in southern Finland and a competitor to Tallinn in Estonia.
  Updated: Wed 14 Dec 2005
  
  
• A Chronology of Finnish History
  Click on Directory/History. A thorough but compact chronology compiled by Joe Brady. From 100,000 BC to the present day.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• After the War: Finland's Relations with the Soviet Union (1944-1991)
  Finland's relations with the Soviet Union 1944 - 1991 Written for Virtual Finland by Timo Vihavainen PhD, Renvall Institute, University of Helsinki
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Archaelogical Heritage - Finland
  Administered by the National Board of Antiquities (NBA). The site contains material such as the Antiquities Act covering ancient monuments (of which there are nearly 12,000 known to date from the prehistoric period), movable objects, finds of ships and vessels and so on. In addition there is info on Research and Protection, etc. The Department of Archaeology has 18 archaelogists on staff plus many students.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• A selection of events and documents on the history of Finland
  A very interesting, useful and comprehensive site consisting of a selection of events and documents on the history of Finland covering the period ca.1250 to the mid 1940s. The majority of the linked documents (including letters, reports, treaties, acts, manifestos, pacts, press statements, and constitutional issues) are in English. Examples: Pope Innocentius IV's Letter of Protection to Confessors of Christian Faith in Finland 27 August 1249; Letter by Martin Luther to Swedish King Vasa in 1539; Georg North's short description of Finland in 1561; construction of Sea Fortress of Sveaborg began in 1748 and its fall in 1808; Russian Rule 1809-1917; Peace Treaty of 1809 between Sweden & Russia; The Kalmberg Atlas 1855 with sample maps of Helsinki, Turku, Tampere and Viipuri; Finnish Independence Dec 6, 1917; Press Statement by US President Roosevelt, Dec 1, 1939. Copyright: Pauli Kruhse.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• A Web History of Finland
  An easy reading Finnish history by Pasi Kuoppamäki with lots of links and references to other resources.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Before the War: Finland, Stalin and Germany in the 1930's
  Article written for Virtual Finland by Timo Vihavainen PhD, Renvall Institute, University of Helsinki. Could the 1939-40 Winter War or the 1941-44 Continuation War have been prevented?
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Capsule History of Finland
  In 1939, over territorial issues, Finland entered a war known as Winter War with Soviet Union. It lasted for 100 days and at peace negotiations Finland was forced to cede vast areas in the east. In 1941, as a result of Germany's attack on Russia, Finland entered another war with Soviet Union. Peace was made in 1944 and Finland had to cede even more land to the Soviet Union and agreed to expel the German soldiers from Lapland. Thus Finland found itself in war with Germany during 1944-45. There were also heavy war reparations to be paid to Russia. Finland paid them off in less than ten years and those actually triggered off modern Finnish industry
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Castles in Finland
  Links to Hame , Kuusisto, Olavinlinna, Roseborg, Turku and Viipuri Castles. (Type Finland in search box.)
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Catholic Encyclopedia: Grand Duchy of Finland
  A brief historical article written by P. Witmann in 1909 . Finnish conversion to Christianity began about mid-1100. In 1909 Finland's catholic population was only about 1000 souls.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• C. G. E. Mannerheim in the History of Finland
  Course of his Life, Family, Time of Growth, Military Career, War of Independence, Regent 1919-1919, Civilian, Defence Council, Commander-in Chief 1939-1946, President of the Republic 1944-1946, Retirement, Special Topics, Search.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• City of Helsinki Urban Facts
  What was Finland's capital city like 100 years ago? What is it like now? And what about the future? These are the kind of questions to which City of Helsinki Urban Facts provides answers. The centre is unique in that it brings together in one institution archives, statistics, research and forecasts.
  Updated: Wed 14 Dec 2005
  
  
• Cruise of the Calgaric, chief Scout
  Meeting between the founder of the scout movement, Chief Scout, Sir Robert Baden-Powell and Field-Marshal Mannerheim during a stop in Finland. Photo.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Cudgel War
  The Cudgel War was fought in the area of Finland in the late 16th Century. At first glance the war may look like an ordinary rebellion started by unsatisfied peasants. However there was much more to it. In the background was the power struggle of two lordly figures: King Sigismund, who was supported by the Finnish nobility, and Duke Carl, who encouraged the peasants to revolt, hoping to ascend to the throne through rebellion. The war got its name from the spiked clubs that the peasants used. Cudgels were the only effective weapon available to the peasants against the heavy armour of the knights. Written by Mikko Oinonen.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Empress of Ireland Sinking - Finnish Passengers/Deaths
  A tragedy almost equal to the Titanic's unfolded in the fog-shrouded St. Lawrence River in the spring of 1914, only a few months before the outbreak of the Great War.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Finfo - History of Finland
  Great site. Thorough internet coverage. Includes lots of links some of which have photos with 360 degree panoramas plus audio and video clips.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• FINFO: Main Outlines of Finnish History
  Written for Virtual Finland by Prof. Seppo Zetterberg, University of Helsinki. Overview treatment. Covers: The Swedish Reign. Finland as a Grand Duchy of Russia (1809-1917). The Independent Republic. Includes photos & links.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Finland and the Nordic Countries
  Written for Virtual Finland by Martti Häikiö PhD, Lecturer of Political History, University of Helsinki.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Finland: History
  Pre-History. The Swedish Period (ca.1200-1809). The Autonomous Grand Duchy of Finland (1809-1917). Winter War and Continuation War (1939-1945). Independent Finland. Quiz.
  Updated: Fri 21 Oct 2005
  
  
• Finland's Leap into Democracy - 1906
  The national struggle culminated in the 'Great Strike' that spread from Russia at the end of 1905. Finnish streets and market places witnessed the first demonstrations in the history of the country and mass movements emerged.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Finnish Government History
  The Government. Facts about the Government. Premises. History. Finnish Governments.
  Updated: Sun 26 Mar 2006
  
  
• Finnish History
  Chronology of important dates.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Finnish History by Coins
  "Click on a coin to get more information."
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Finnish History, University of Turku, School of History
  "The tradition of Turku as a university town dates back to 1640, when the Academy of Turku was founded under the courtesy of the Swedish Queen Christina. The Great Fire in 1827, however, destroyed the Academy, but the tradition was restored when the University of Turku opened its doors in 1922. When the new University was established, the History of Finland was among its original chairs." Finnish history. Cultural History.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Finnish Orthodox Church
  Finnish Orthodox Church Written for Virtual Finland by Leo, Archbishop of Karelia and All Finland
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Finns Abroad
  A very good overview of "Finns Abroad" written by Dr. Olavi Koivukangas, Institute of Migration.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Forest History & Culture
  Background to Finnish Forestry: Finland's forests before human settlement. Period of diminishing forest cover. Finland's forests in 1850; (C. W. Gyldén). The birth of silviculture. Wood and forests to rely on (Territorial Losses in 1944). The birth of family forestry.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Helsinki's Senate Square
  Written for Virtual Finland by Frank Hellstén. History. Description. 360 degree panorama picture.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Historical Milestones - Åland Finland
  From about 8,000 B.C. to present.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• History and Historical Development
  Selected Student Papers from the FAST-FIN-1 (TRENPP2C) Finnish Institutions Course, FAST Area Studies Program, Department of Translation Studies, University of Tampere. Last Updated 21 May 2004
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• History of Finland
  Topics covered include: Finnish Constitution, Finnish Council of State, Guide to Law Online - Finland, The US House of Representatives Internet Law Library - Finland.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• History of Finland
  Timelines include: Flags of Finland, Historical dates timelines, Defacto rulers, Grand Dukes, Governors General, King elect, Chairmen of the Senate, Presidents, Vice-Chairman of the Government Council, Vice-Chairmen of the Imperial Finnish Senate, Prime Ministers, German occupied Lapland, Party abbreviations, Counter Government 1939-1940: People's Republic of Finland, Hanko and Porkkala, Åland Islands (Ahvenanmaa Islands) - flags, military governors, Land councillors/Prime Ministers, party abbreviations. Plus map of Finland, Hear National Anthem, text of National Anthem, Constitution.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• History of Roads in Finland
  Finnra is one of Finland's oldest public agencies. Index - From rails to asphalt, Policy of manual labour in road construction, Wintertime road safety, On the road to the future, Finnish road history pages, etc. Links to other traffic history resources.
  Updated: Tue 14 Feb 2006
  
  
• History of Tampere - Power from the Rapids
  WELCOME Now when the City of Tampere turns 220 years, about it's history has been made an internet publication, which tells how Tampere has developed by the rapids of Tammerkoski and how it has been able to get power from the rapids. The history of the city has been divided into seven thematic entities, in which each theme is briefly presented.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• History of the Finnish Parliament
  Brief history. Photos. Click on in English.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Ingria in English
  Who are Ingrians and where is Ingria? Brief history. Map. Flag. Arms. Culture.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Institute of Migration (Finland)
  Homepage lists the types of information and records available from the Institute. Includes emigrant register, migration statistics, passenger records of the Finland Steamship Co. (287,000 records), passport records (76,000 records), church records of Finnish-Swedish congregations in America, info on Finns deceased abroad, list of Finns in New Zealand (1000 names), list of Finns who travelled to America via Denmark between 1868-1896 (500 records), etc.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Jaakko Ilkka - Who Was He?
  Jaakko Ilkka - Leader of the Peasant Rebellion in late 1500s. Thumbnail history, part of a family history project.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Jews in Finland During the Second World War
  One of the great tragedies of the Second World War was the systematic persecution of Jewish people by the Nazi regime, whose final goal was no less than the destruction of Jewry in Europe. This affected Finnish Jews, too, though unlike in any other country under German influence, their rights were not tampered with in any way during the war. The position of Finnish Jews was unique in another respect as well: several hundred of them fought in the war as Germany’s comrades in arms. Besides native Finnish Jews, there were also Jewish refugees and prisoners of war in the country. In this paper, special focus is on the fate of the refugees, who had arrived in Finland to escape Nazi persecution, but soon found themselves in a country that fought on Germany’s side. Not everyone found the shelter they were looking for.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Kansallisbiografia - National Biography of Finland
  A selection of 100 important personalities from the National Biography of Finland. "The Finnish Historical Society has been editing the National Biography of Finland since 1993 with plans to complete 6000 biographical articles covering the most important Finns."
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• King's Road Map
  The King's Road originally extended from the capital of the Swedish Kingdom, Stockholm, west to Oslo in Norway and east across the Baltic Sea to Finland, which was part of Sweden for 600 years. From Åbo (now Turku) in Finland, The King's Road continued along the coast past Espoo and what was to become Helsinki, on to Viipuri and the court of the Czars in St. Petersburg.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Leon Trotsky’s Balance Sheet of the Finnsh Events
  An interesting version of Finnish and Russian history as seen through the eyes of Leon Trotsky. Quite a lot of Trotsky's version of what happened in Finland
  Updated: Sat 5 Nov 2005
  
  
• Lessons of the Winter War - Yesterday and Today
  Written for Virtual Finland by Dr. Tomas Ries, senior researcher - National Defence College - Finland. A synopsis with links for further reading.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Milestones for Women in Finland
  Covers the years 1894 to the present day. e.g. In 1906, Finland becomes the first country in the world to grant women full political rights: suffrage and eligibility.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Muisti Database
  "The MUISTI database contained at the end of 1997 abt. 3000 titles and gave access to 6000 imagefiles containing digitized texts and images of material from collections owned by Helsinki University Library, the Finnish Literature Society, and Åbo Akademi University. The material is copyrightfree and consequently mainly abt. 100 years old. All kinds of material have been digitized starting from fragments of medieval manuscripts, but the files contain mainly documents from the 19th century and the first decades of the 20th century." Online searchable.
  Updated: Wed 21 Dec 2005
  
  
• National Board of Antiquities (NBA)
  Activities of NBA. Preservation of the material and cultural heritage and environment in Finland. Segments include: jThe National Board of Antiquities. Archaeological Heritage. Architectural Heritage. Finland's Museums. The National Board of Antiquities' Museums and Castles. A very nice website with good summary articles and photos.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• New York City Passenger Manifests of SS Titanic Survivors Rescued by the SS Carpathia
  Includes details of each Finnish passenger such as age, gender, citizen, race, marital status, last residence, relative, destination, place of birth.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Petäjävesi Old Church
  Written for Virtual Finland by Frank Hellstén. Photos and panoramas by Kari Palsila. "The Old Church at Petäjävesi, in Central Finland, is one of the few properties in Finland to have been placed on the UNESCO World Heritage list." Links.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Photographing the Wreck of the Vrouw Maria
  Written for Virtual Finland by Jukka Nurminen with Alexander Mustard. Photography by Jukka Nurminen. The Vrouw Maria, (Lady Mary, i.e. The Virgin Mary) a two-masted wooden merchant ship, sank off the coast of Finland in 1771. Nice underwater photos.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Postal History from Finland 1889 - 1918
  Finnish stamp issues in Russian period.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Publications of the Finnish Historical Society
  This website lists various publications of the FHS as well as other learned societies mainly dealing with Finnish history and culture. Publications can be ordered electronically directly from the FHS as well as from other retail outlets.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Rock Paintings in Finland
  To-date over sixty rock paintings have been found in Finland. These sites are documented with name of discoverer, date of find, motif, location and brief description.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Scandinavian Documentation Center
  A Spanish website with English pages. Includes a fairly comprehensive directory covering the History of Finland with links. Also smaller sections on tourism, cinema, Nordic painters, Scandinavian landscapes, maps, newspapers, publications and other links.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Settlement of Finland Begins - Uralic Family Home Page
  Origin of Finland (Suomi) Finland 20,000 - 9,000 years ago Finland 5000 years ago Oldest fishing net ever found Varangians: Baltic Area Finns Swedish Rule in Finland Slavic Conquest Orthodox Religion and cultural identity Chronology of Slavic conquest Finno-Ugric language statistics: endangered list Books on this subject.
  Updated: Thu 3 Nov 2005
  
  
• Suomenlinna "Castle of Finland"
  Suomenlinna (or for Swedish speaking Finns, Sveaborg, the Fortress of Sweden) is Finland's treasured Island Fortress.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Suomenlinna Seafortress
  A UNESCO World Heritage Site - Info, Museums, History, Organization- governing bodies.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• The Ancient Religion of the Finns
  Written for the Ministry for Foreign Affairs by Professor Juha Pentikäinen, University of Helsinki.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• The Chronology of Finnish History
  Written for Virtual Finland by Joe Brady. Covers the period of history from about 1100 AD to the present. Includes a short prehistory, that is, pre- 1150 AD.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• The Finnish Bronze Age
  Includes lots of annotated links with recommended reading.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• The Finnish Historical Society
  Work of the society, The Nat'l Biography of Finland, Membership, Publications (archives of history, sources and evidence on Finnish history, sales, etc.), Journal.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• The Finnish Winter War
  The article, a historical perspective was written by Robert K. Maddock, Jr. Descriptions of the Winter War are vivid; e.g., armaments, battles and casualties are given.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• The Finno-Ugric People - Uralic Family Home Page
  Updated: Tue 30 May 2006
  
  
• The Finns in America
  By Taru Spiegel, Reference Librarian. ".....information about immigration from Finland to the United States, and about the activities of Finnish-American immigrants in the United States from the 17th to the 20th centuries. Information is contained in a chronology and selected bibliography." Good historical reading.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• The Finns on the Titanic
  An article by Peter Björkfors, published in Siirtolaisuus - Migration. "Titanic set out from Southampton on her maiden voyage on the 10th of April 1912 carrying a total of 2,227 people from over 25 countries. At least 63 of those were from Finland, and only twenty of them would ever reach America. The rest of them met an untimely death when the Titanic sank in the North Atlantic in the early hours of April 15th." A Finnish passenger list is given showing age, place of residence and destination.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• The gamble for Finnish independence
  Article written for Virtual Finland by Eino Jutikkala, historian and member of the Finnish Academy.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• The History of Finland
  From the earliest years to the present. A student Comenius Project.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• The Kämp Press Room, Information Nerve Centre of the Winter War
  On October 6, 1999, a plaque was unveiled in Helsinki's Hotel Kämp commemorating the time during the Winter War (December 1939 - March 1940) when the Finnish foreign ministry's press room was housed there. The Winter War between Finland and the Soviet Union brought Finland to the attention of the world as never before.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• The Many Karelias
  A history of Karelia written for Virtual Finland by Pekka Nevalainen, PhD, University of Joensuu. Plus other links to Karelia.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• The Origin of Finns
  Myths. Straight from the hip discussion. Maps. Links.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• The Prehistory of Finland
  "The word "prehistoric" refers to that part of the human past of which we have no written, or historical information....The oldest evidence of human activity in Finland dates from around 8000 B.C." Nicely illustrated. Links. From the National Board of Antiquities.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• The Prehistory of Finland in a Nutshell
  Written for Virtual Finland by Dr. Pirjo Uino, Docent, Curator, Department of Archaeology, National Board of Antiquities.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Viking Age in Finland
  Fishermen, swordsmen, wealthy women. Unknown land of mists and monsters. Finns and Saami - permanent settlements and the wilderness. Burial rites and personal property. Ancient magic and Christianity. Links
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Virtual Finland - History
  A nice history site. Topics covered include the following: Main Outlines of Finnish History, Finland's Leap into Democracy, Finland's Relations with the Soviet Union (1944-1991), Milestones for Finnish Women, Finland and the Nordic Countries, The Ancient Religion of the Finns, Medieval Castles in Finland.
  
  
• Woman Suffrage in Finland: Women's History
  Finnish women in 1906 were the first women in the world to gain full political rights.
  Updated: Wed 24 Dec 2003
  
  
• Yahoo - Finland, Arts & Humanities
  Design Arts (16, Humanities (41), Museums, Galleries, and Centers (16), Performing Arts (10), Visual Arts (14),Humanties (41) . Number of links November 2005.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Åland and Österholm Family pages
  Brief history of the Åland Islands. Maps. Link to the Österholm family tree.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  

• A Brief History of New Sweden in America
  A concise historical overview which also includes the following interesting maps: Sweden as a Great Power in the 17th Century. Route from Sweden to New Sweden and return. New Sweden in America.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Finland Swedes in Canada
  Good dissertation on Finland-Swedes in Canada. This article presents some new findings which deal with research on the migration, settlement and ethnic relations of Finland-Swedes in Canada. Also includes some census data on Finland-Swedes in Canada.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Finnish Settlers in Canada
  Our Future, Our Past: The Alberta Heritage Digitization Project (AHDP) is an ongoing, not-for-profit endeavor to provide all those interested in Alberta's history free, online access to cultural and heritage materials. Browse newspapers from 1885, read entire books about local communities, research legal documents, view historic photographs, and explore much more!
  Updated: Fri 7 Apr 2006
  
  
• Kalmar Nyckel - Tall Ship
  Story and photos of the Kalmar Nyckel and her replica. On March 29, 1638 the Kalmar Nyckel, a Swedish vessel landed in what was to become Delaware USA. It carried 24 settlers from four countries -- Sweden, Finland, Holland, and Germany. The replica is a fully functional sail training vessel.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Karelia, Karjala
  Karelia with a population of 800,000, has a Finnish minority - 2.7%. The site gives maps showing the area of Karelia and main cities, a dictionary of sorts with names in Russian, Karelian and Finnish.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Karelian Page
  Brief English page with introduction to Links which are primarily in Finnish and Russian.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• New Sweden Farmstead Museum
  "Scandinavian heritage in the Delaware Valley extends back to 1638, only 18 years after the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock. A company of Swedes and Ethnic Finns, known as the New Sweden Company, was organized by Peter Minuit under the aegis of King Gustavus Adolphus to establish a colony in the New World."
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• NUPI, Centre for Russian Studies - Ethnic Groups, Karelia
  A brief historical perspective of Karelia and its peoples.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• The Karelians
  A brief presentation of Karelians as part of a larger project called Peoples of the Red Book.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• The Kven People in Ruija
  The Kvens are Finnish-speaking people who live in the land which they call Ruija, i.e., Northern Norway today. History, Kven culture, A Journey into Kveeniland, map, photos, references.
  Updated: Mon 24 Oct 2005
  
  
• Transmigration via the port of Hull
  A peek at the European emigrant (including of course many tens of thousands of Finns) experience in Hull, England as researched by Nicholas J. Evans.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  

• 300 Years of Finnish Maritime Administration
  The Finnish Maritime Administration’s history goes back 300 years and more. Before the FMA we know today was founded, its duties were managed by a Pilot and Lighthouse Institution. In the national law code, promulgated by King Magnus Eriksson in the 1350s, there are mentions of the duties and responsibilities of pilots
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Encyclopedia Titanica
  "A unique resource for anyone interested in the Titanic. Over 2,100 individual passenger and crew biographies, regularly updated passenger and crew listings, exclusive research articles and ongoing discussions about the Titanic." Various search criteria can be used, e.g., using search term Finland produces list of Finnish passengers with comments.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Finland's Icebreakers
  Written for Virtual Finland by Joe Brady. Photos and text beginning with Finland's first icebreaker. Links.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Finnish Owned Iron and Steel Square Rigged Sailing Ships
  Ships are listed in tabular form with the following information: Name of ship, Years in service (between the years 1894 and 1950 or perhaps later), Year built, NRT, Material of construction, Type of ship (barque, full-rigged ship or 4-masted barque). Each of the 130 or so listed ships has a website link.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Finnish Yacht Club Flag
  History of the flag. Last modified: 2004-12-18 by Phil nelson
  Updated: Wed 4 Jan 2006
  
  
• History on the Seabed
  A document on marine archaeology in Baltic waters off the coast of Finland. A nice site for divers and non-divers alike. Why are wooden shipwrecks better preserved in the Baltic than in open ocean waters? Hint. It has to do with shipworms.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Jacobstads Wapen
  The two masted gaff schooner Jacobstads Wapen was built in 1988-1994 in Jakobstad, Finland. She is built according to the oldest existing ship drawings in Finland (from 1755), made by the famous Swedish naval architect Fredrik Henrik af Chapman (1720- 1808). She has all modern conveniences and necessary life-saving equipment and she is a certified passenger vessel. She sails from May to September, mainly in the Gulf of Bothnia and the Baltic Sea. The ship's specifications are tabulated.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Maritime Museum Aland
  Welcome to the Åland Maritime Museum. This site is under construction but we hope to be able to offer you more infromation in English soon. Meanwhile, feel free to contact us if you have any queries.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Ostrobothnian Odysseys
  This is a site - a work in constant progress - that will promote and publish original research, republish old articles and compile information pertaining to seafaring, shipbuilding, and emigration since the days of the trading of Ostrobothnian yeomen in the 1500's until the great Ostrobothnian emigration wave of the 1800's and early 1900's
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• The Rus-Project; a Finnish Viking Ship Project
  Begun in 1991, replicas are built and sailed as they were sailed in ancient times. Sections of the project include: The Lapuri wreck (exact age uncertain), a find which reveals construction detail similar to a viking ship. The replica Rus. The replica Heimløsa Rus, launched in 1996 has sailed around northern Europe. Co-projects, Viking music and the latest news on the project. Photos and general info.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  

• Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova
  Aboa Vetus (archaeology & history) and Ars Nova (contemporary art) are two museums on the bank of the River Aura in Turku. E-mail the museum for brochures.
  Updated: Thu 27 Oct 2005
  
  
• Arktikum Museum
  Located in Rovaniemi Arktikum is a science center and museum with a focus on arctic studies. Strikingly beautiful building. Info | Permanent exhibitions | Happening now | Conference facilities Arktikum-shop | Arktikum-restaurant | Arctic Centre | Provincial Museum of Lapland.
  Updated: Tue 30 May 2006
  
  
• ATENEUM ART MUSEUM, THE FINNISH NATIONAL ART GALLERY
  The Ateneum Art Museum houses the largest collections of art in Finland, including all the best loved Finnish masterpieces.
  Updated: Thu 19 Oct 2006
  
  
• Automobile and Road Museum Mobilia
  The museum promotes research into automobile and road history. Info. Admission fees.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Factory Museum Verla
  In 1972, Verla became Finland's first factory museum. "Verla is the first representative of the wood-processing industry to obtain an entry on the UNESCO list of world heritage sites." Info. History. Architecture. Machines & Devices. Location. Rock Painting. The front page has a nice descriptive photo.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Finnish Heritage Museum
  Finnish Heritage Museum of Fairport, Ohio, USA.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Finnish Museums Association
  "There are over 1000 museums in Finland. Over 300 of them are professionally run and open all year round. Museums have over 5 million visitors annually." The founding of Museums. Statistics.
  Updated: Sun 26 Mar 2006
  
  
• Gösta Serlachius Museum of Fine Arts
  A unique collection of fine Finnish art classics and old European paintings. History. Collections. Publications. Click on in English.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Hameenlinna Art Museum
  Only a brief description in English.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Helsinki City Art Museum
  The Helsinki City Art Museum’s collections include all works of art acquired by the City of Helsinki since the 19th century. They currently total roughly 7500 works. The backbone of the Art Museum’s collections is formed by the some 430 works collected by art connoisseur and gallerist Leonard Bäcksbacka. The Art Museum’s building in Meilahti was originally built in 1976 to house the Bäcksbacka donation, which includes numerous treasures of Finnish art such as Ellen Thesleff’s Thyra Elisabeth (1892) and Tyko Sallinen’s Mirri (1910).
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Helsinki City Museum
  Constructed in 1912-1913. Helsinki City Museum records the mental and material culture of the Helsinki area. In the exhibitions and publications of the City Museum, the visitor becomes familiar with the light, as well as the dark sides of the city's history. In its role as a versatile data bank of Helsinki history, the City Museum offers Helsinki citizens and tourists alike to gain experiences associated with the roots and cultural background of Helsinki and its people, thus adding to their mental wellbeing. The website gives a short description of their various museums such as Museum of Worker Housing, Children's Museum, Tram Museum, etc. plus event schedule.
  Updated: Tue 13 Dec 2005
  
  
• Hämeenlinna, Häme Castle
  The City of Hämeenlinna was founded in 1639. "Häme Castle is one of Finland's medieval royal castles. It is believed to have been built at the end of the 13th century." Photos.
  Updated: Tue 30 May 2006
  
  
• Jyväskylä University Museum 100 years (1900-2000)
  Sections on museum's history, cultural history and natural sciences. Description of a teaching gallery, where the students of museology practise gallery work.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Lusto - Finnish Forest Museum
  LUSTO is located in Punkaharju. This website gives Info on the museum in brief, Exhibitions, Events and Demonstrations, The Forest Historical Society (Est'd 1994), Facts (& links) on Finnish forestry.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Medieval Castles in Finland
  Written for Virtual Finland by Dr. Carl Jacob Gardberg, State archeologist. Seven Castles are described with brief histories. Photos.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Museum and Gallery of the Kimo Iron Works
  One of Finland's first ironworks. Click on in English.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Museum of Applied Arts - Finland
  Exhibitions + News / Collections + Services / Publications
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Museum of Central Finland
  The Museum of Central Finland specializes in cultural history. It serves both as the town museum of Jyväskylä and the provincial museum of Central Finland.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Museum of Finnish Architecture
  Info, Exhibitions, Architecture, Archives, Library, Publications. It focuses on post-1900 architecture. The English language website is not yet fully functional. (Nov 2002)
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Museum Tourism in Ostrothnia
  "The Swedish-speaking part of Ostrobothnia is one of the most museum-dense areas in the world. There are almost a hundred different museums and collections reflecting the history of Ostrobothnia. This web site contains information on some of the museums well worth seeing in the region, from Kristinestad in the south to Kokkola in the north." Nice intro-tourist map showing Swedish-speaking areas of Pohjanmaa. This website is one of the best and easiest-to-navigate websites on Finnish musuems encountered. English, Finnish, Swedish and German.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• National Board of Antiquities
  The National Board of Antiquities preserves Finland’s material cultural heritage: collects, studies and distributes knowledge of it. The Board is a cultural and research institution, but it is also a government authority charged with the protection of archaeological sites, built heritage, cultural-historically valuable environments and cultural property, in collaboration with other officials and museums
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Suomen Rautatiemuseo - Finnish Railway Museum
  Our museum is the national special museum of railways in Finland. The Finnish Railway Museum is conveniently located in Hyvinkää, in historical railway surroundings. Our web pages bring you all the information you need when planning a visit to our museum and we offer also a rich information package of Finnish Railways in our web pages. Enjoy your visit!
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• Tampere Art Museum, Moominvalley
  "The Moomin collection is based on author-artist Tove Jansson's (1914 - 2001) original Moomin production: Moomin books, illustrations and three-dimensional tableaux. The pearl of the collection is the blue, five-storey miniature Moomin house."
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• The Ateneum Art Museum
  The Ateneum Art Museum houses the largest collections of art in Finland, including all the best loved Finnish masterpieces.
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• The Bank of Finland Museum
  Opened in August 2003. "Its displays include the history of money in Finland and abroad as well as the role of the Bank of Finland in the European System of Central Banks. Admission to the museum is free."
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• The Craft Museum of Finland
  A specialized museum for handicrafts that covers all techniques of handicraft, from house building to lace making and from forging to the design of ornaments. Net Exhibitions: Crafts - A Journey In Time and The Touch of Life. One of the most beautiful and touching websites one could encounter!
  Updated: Thu 17 Nov 2005
  
  
• The Finnish Glass Museum
  Established in 1961, "the Finnish Glass Museum is a specialist museum focusing on the history of glassmaking in Finland, glass design and art in glass and operating on a nationwide basis. The museum is owned by the City of Riihimäki." History. Basic Exhibition. Temporary Exhibitions. Library. Museum Shop. Friend Association. Not entirely translated into English.
  Updated: Fri 18 Nov 2005
  
  
• The Finnish Museum of Natural History
  The Finnish Museum of Natural History is an independent research institution functioning under the University of Helsinki. It is also one of the three central national museums in Finland and responsible for the national collections in it's field. The collections, which include botanical, zoological, geological and paleontological specimens from all over the world, serve research in the fields of Biology and Geology as well as educational purposes.
  Updated: Fri 18 Nov 2005
  
  
• The Herbarium at the Univ. of Turku Finland
  Descriptions of scientific collections. Databases. Archives. Publication list.
  Updated: Fri 18 Nov 2005
  
  
• The Hunting Museum of Finland
  Founded in 1930. The basic exhibition of the museum presents a general view to the ten thousand-year-old history of Finnish hunting. Click on English title.
  Updated: Fri 18 Nov 2005
  
  
• The Journal on Nordic Museums & Museolgy
  "The journal NORDISK MUSEOLOGI (Nordic Museology) is published twice a year. It is a forum for theoretical and scholarly discussion in museology which was established in 1993. The Internet edition should make the retrieval of articles and summaries easy. The editors also hope that as a result an increasing contact and exchange of ideas and research activities in museology could develop between museologists in the North and colleagues all over the world."
  Updated: Fri 18 Nov 2005
  
  
• The Lenin Museum in Tampere
  History, Exhibitions and Publications of the museum. "Includes facts about V. I. Lenin, and especially the role he played in the independence of Finland." The museum is the last regularly operating museum of its kind in the world.
  Updated: Fri 18 Nov 2005
  
  
• The Maritime Museum of Finland: Merimuseo
  The Maritime Museum of Finland is a national maritime museum whose role is to archive the history of Finnish seafaring and provide information regarding it. The museum collects and stores objects, pictures, archive literature and material regarding navigation and boating.
  Updated: Fri 18 Nov 2005
  
  
• The Museum of Cultures: Kulttuurien museo
  "The Museum of Cultures, Finland's first scientifically-based ethnographic museum brings the rich heritage of world cultures right into heart of Helsinki."
  Updated: Fri 18 Nov 2005
  
  
• The National Board of Antiquities (Museovirasto, Museiverket)
  Preserves Finland's Material Cultural Heritage. Links to other museums.
  Updated: Fri 18 Nov 2005
  
  
• The National Museum of Finland: Kansallismuseo
  The National Museum of Finland presents with its rich archaeological, cultural history and ethnological collections, the development of Finnish life from prehistoric times to the present. Last updated: 17.11.2005
  Updated: Fri 18 Nov 2005
  
  
• The Seurasaari Open-Air Museum
  Located on Seurasaari Island, Helsinki, the museum gives an overall view of life in the Finnish countryside from the 18th to the 20th centuries. Info. Photos. Links to other museums.
  Updated: Fri 18 Nov 2005
  
  
• The Wreck of Vrouw Maria
  A Dutch sailing ship, sunk in 1771. A Representative of European Cultural Heritage. History of research. Location of wreck, with map. Its present state. Photos. Articles found. etc..
  Updated: Fri 18 Nov 2005
  
  
• The Åland Museum
  "The museum provides a survey of the history of Åland from prehistoric times to the present day. Under the same roof is the Åland Art Museum, with a permanent exhibition presenting visual arts on Åland."
  Updated: Wed 22 Feb 2006
  
  
• Turku Art Museum
  The Turku Art Museum, a central part of the art life in Turku since 1904, has been re-opened to the general public. Renovated and modernized the museum is again able to exhibit its collection that has become a national treasure, history of art as well as topical and interesting contemporary art phenomena.
  Updated: Fri 18 Nov 2005
  
  
• Verla Mill Museum
  "Included on the World Heritage List maintained by UNESCO in December 1996. " History, Architecture, Machines and Devices, Info.
  Updated: Fri 18 Nov 2005
  
  
• Wäinö Aaltonen Museum in Turku
  Wäinö Aaltonen (1894 - 1966) was one of the most prominent sculptors of his time in Finland. Among the many significant public statues and monuments which he created are memorials to the writer Aleksis Kivi in Tampere and Helsinki; the figure of the Olympic gold medallist Paavo Nurmi running, and the Lilja statue, in Turku; the monumental statues in the chamber of the Eduskunta (the Finnish parliament); and the figures on the Hämeensilta bridge in Tampere.
  Updated: Fri 18 Nov 2005
  
  

• Botanical Museum: The Finnish Museum of Natural History
  Established in 1989 as a separate institute of the Helsinki University. Collections, Databases & Archives. List of all WWW Pages of the Botanical Museum. Publications. Extensive website.
  Updated: Fri 18 Nov 2005