Archive to temporarily close to complete reorganization

HANCOCK, Mich. — The next steps in a significant project — one that is enhancing customer service efficiency and helping to maximize available archival storage space — make it necessary that Finlandia University’s Finnish American Historical Archive close to visitors and researchers from October 25 through November 5.

In response to an increase in number and significance of archival donations, the Archive staff has been steadily progressing toward a reorganization of its collection, which contains more than 40,000 unique items from across Finnish America, and beyond. The size and scope of the Archive collection has grown significantly in recent years, thanks particularly to the generosity and preservation-mindedness of numerous individuals and groups from across the United States and around the world.

The next step of this project necessitates that the archive staff focus exclusively on reorganization and reshelving specific parts of the collection, an endeavor that will also monopolize the entirety of the Archive’s public space.

It is requested that prospective donors to the Archive make their donations after this stage of reorganization is completed; however, if circumstances require donations to be made during the Archive closure, these donations may be made through the office of the Finnish American Heritage Center director.

The Finnish American Historical Archive is located on the lower level of Finlandia University’s Finnish American Heritage Center, which also houses the Finnish American Reporter newspaper and the Finlandia University Gallery, and is a site for Finnish American Folk School courses and several community enrichment programs.

For further information about the Heritage Center, call (906) 487-7549.