Archives

125th Anniversary Video of Martti Nisonen Music

June 21, 2022

125th Anniversary Performance by Kent Washburn and Meri Siirala | Music of Martti Nisonen

In 1922, Martti Nisonen began his career at Suomi College, now Finlandia University, quickly gaining popularity as a profound teacher of music and prolific composer. Before his passing in 1946, Nisonen amassed more than 10 linear feet of compositions and arrangements now safely stored at Finlandia’s Finnish American Heritage Center and Historical Archive.

Kicking off its year of 125th Anniversary celebrations in December 2021, Finlandia held a Sunday worship service and its annual commemoration of Finnish Independence Day. The day was [...]

May 31, 2022

Finlandia to celebrate 125th Anniversary, Juhannus in June

A year of anniversary celebrations will culminate in late June at Finlandia University, as the 125-year-old institution celebrates Juhannus (Midsummer) in a one-of-a-kind experience.

For nearly a decade, Finlandia’s Finnish American Heritage Center (FAHC) has hosted public Juhannus celebrations, in recent years incorporating Finnish American Folk School (FAFS) workshops into a festival atmosphere.

“It’s always exciting and energizing to see all of the Finnish-American activities in this area around Juhannus,” said FAHC director Dave Maki. “It speaks to [...]

Business Finland at Finlandia University

May 18, 2022

Photo Gallery | Business Finland, Consul General visit Finlandia University

On May 17, 2022, Finlandia University hosted Okko-Pekka Salmimies, Consul General of Finland in Los Angeles, and two Finnish business delegations for an opening reception at FinnU’s Finnish American Heritage Center during the delegation’s visit to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Click through the album below to check out a few of our favorite moments and make sure to read the full article here!

May 18, 2022

Finlandia University hosts Finnish delegations

Okko-Pekka Salmimies, Consul General of Finland in Los Angeles, arrives at Finlandia University.

Led by Okko-Pekka Salmimies, Consul General of Finland in Los Angeles, two Finnish business delegations visited the Copper Country on Tuesday to advance economic and trade relations and explore partnership opportunities. Finlandia University, the only remaining institution of higher education in the U.S. founded by Finns outside of Finland, hosted the groups for an opening reception at the University’s Finnish American Heritage Center.

“There is a [...]

March 2, 2022

Bridge Feature: Eld delivers archive in ‘Finnebago’

Former Finnish American Heritage Center (FAHC) director Jim Kurtti traveled to New England in the fall of 2019 and met with multiple donors who made gracious contributions of Finnish American archives to be preserved and shared with the Archive and Center’s visitors. Until now, the archives were stored in New England before they were able to be transported safely by none other than Frank Eld and his famed ‘Finnebego’. On a journey that started in New England, Eld transported [...]

January 19, 2022

Finlandia appoints new FAHC director

HANCOCK — For more than 20 years, David Maki served as the “right-hand man” at the Finnish American Heritage Center (FAHC). Now, he’ll have both hands on the steering wheel, as he takes over leadership of Finlandia University’s most well-established expression of its Finnish roots.

Maki, 45, officially assumed the role of Director of the FAHC in late December. He had been serving as interim director of the Center since the spring 2021 retirement of Jim Kurtti, who was the director [...]

October 20, 2021

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 [...]

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