Written by Marian June Flinkstrom

In 1964, a library was established at Fitchburg State College by its president, James J. Hammond who

admired the work ethics of Finnish people and was impressed by two Finnish women teaching at the

college. He dedicated a room in the Hammond lLibrary and convinced them to gather and save books

and artifacts treasured by the immigrants. Those professors, Rauha Wäyränen and Signe Sipilä, were

instrumental in doing that. People donated and joined the effort, and Signe Sipilä became the first president

of The Finnish Cultural Center at Fitchburg State College.

For 30 years, the Finnish library grew in size, was site of the 2nd Finlandia Foundation Finnfest in America,

and hosted visiting performers and dignitaries from Finland. Then the next college president claimed the

space for college use, so contents of the library, Marimekko draperies, the conference table and chairs,

shelving and cabinets were boxed and moved for storage in temporary locations including several rental units

filled with more of curator Jonathan Ratila's uncategorized items he expected to review in a new building.

During that time, a merger of the Finnish American Club of Saima, the Finnish Cultural Center and the

Finnish Ski Club was underway, and plans were being formulated to build one large space designed to

accommodate all the social, cultural and athletic events. However, without enough member support, the

funding efforts and use of architect's designs got stalled, so in 2013, a year was spent opening cartons

that were moved into the spacious ravintola, sorting and evaluating the extensive collection.

The Finnish Center Library/Museum opened in September 2014 in part of Saima Park's big ravintola building.

Renovation of what had been the old kitchen began more than 10 years earlier by Henry and June Flinkstrom,

Ray Linnus, Erkki Tornikoski, Jim Daley, Vilho Lucander and other volunteers.

The challenge was initiated by Finnish Center members Charlie Huse and Nancy Fors to exhibit what had

been saved. Along with Lorna Sulin, Frank Ruosteoja, Denise Ducharme and several others, they cleared

the space, arranged cabinets and shelving, added lighting and created what we have now.

Early years, Finnish American Club of Saima

Library - Saija Laurla & Carolyn Navarre

Julie Primeau greeted visitors from Rutland.

From Seattle to York, ME to their wedding - -MJ with grandson, Zachary and Colby

MJ with Carolyn Griffis and Sandra Perko

Swimming and track trophies.

The Finnish Center's library/museum is open during special events for viewing by the public such as the

Summer Festival and the Nordic Tori and at monthly breakfasts from 10 o'clock to noon To do research,

donate items or borrow books to be returned, make an appointment to meet with.the curator, currently

Marian June Flinkstrom (m.j. flinkstrom) by phone at 978-874-2312 or by email using mjfhaf@aol.com.