History of Finn Creek Open Air Museum
Finn Creek Open Air Museum was established in 1975, but has roots that go much deeper. Siffert Tapio and Wilhelmiina Worlin were introduced to each other in New York Mills, Minnesota and were married in April, 1894, after emmigrating from Finland to America. The land now known as Finn Creek Open Air Museum was their homestead. It was purchased in 1900 for approximately $3 per acre. Bluff Creek was the name of the stream running through the land. It did not become known as Finn Creek until 1920. The best guess as to the name is that the Finn’s settled along the creek, thus the name Finn Creek. The original home and sauna can still be seen when visiting the museum.
The home was constructed with help from the neighbors. The logs were carried to the site from cuttings in the nearby woods. They did not have horses or wagons to drag the logs to the building location. Ropes were used to hoist the logs into place. In 1914, siding was placed over the logs and in 1917-1918 an addition of a lean-to was completed.
The home was constructed with help from the neighbors. The logs were carried to the site from cuttings in the nearby woods. They did not have horses or wagons to drag the logs to the building location. Ropes were used to hoist the logs into place. In 1914, siding was placed over the logs and in 1917-1918 an addition of a lean-to was completed.
Rugs, made using a loom, carpeted the floors. Beds were made using straw to form a mattress. Pillows were stuffed with feathers. Kitchen utensils were carved out of wood. The land was cleared and crops sowed. Cows were added for milk production to bring to the creamery or churned into butter to be sold in town. It became a productive farm through hard work.
Siffert Tapio died in 1934. The 80 acre farm was sold to Wilbert Tumberg in 1947, who farmed the land. After the sale of the property, Wilhelmiina Tapio moved into town and lived with friends. The property was then sold to Arnold Tumberg in 1956. He also farmed the land. The Minnesota Finnish American Historical Society Chapter 13 purchased 9.7 acres from Arnold Tumberg in 1975. The site now sits on 40 acres.
Buildings have been restored and other structures placed on the property. The museum strives to create an appearance of the early 1900’s.
The work at Finn Creek Museum is all done by volunteers. Funds are raised to maintain, build, and improve the site. The Summer Folk Festival, held the last full weekend in August, brings in entertainment and lots of good food, including Finnish specialties. The purpose of the activity is to preserve the heritage left by our forefathers.
Siffert Tapio died in 1934. The 80 acre farm was sold to Wilbert Tumberg in 1947, who farmed the land. After the sale of the property, Wilhelmiina Tapio moved into town and lived with friends. The property was then sold to Arnold Tumberg in 1956. He also farmed the land. The Minnesota Finnish American Historical Society Chapter 13 purchased 9.7 acres from Arnold Tumberg in 1975. The site now sits on 40 acres.
Buildings have been restored and other structures placed on the property. The museum strives to create an appearance of the early 1900’s.
The work at Finn Creek Museum is all done by volunteers. Funds are raised to maintain, build, and improve the site. The Summer Folk Festival, held the last full weekend in August, brings in entertainment and lots of good food, including Finnish specialties. The purpose of the activity is to preserve the heritage left by our forefathers.
Saw MillWillard Paju, Willard Takkinen and Wilbert Tumberg decided to buy a saw mill to saw lumber from the trees growing on the Finn Creek land. The lumber was then used for construction projects on the premises. The saw mill was purchased in Jenkins, MN. The trees (tamarack, poplar, and a few spruce) were felled in early 1985 with plans to continue logging later that fall. Paju, Takkinen and Tumberg donated all of their time and labor to Finn Creek Museum.
School House
The Oak Knoll School House District 123 was moved to Finn Creek Museum in 1992, restored in 1993. The school bell was donated by Arvon Snabb. Children would walk to and from the one room school house. All grades were instructed by the same teacher. In the school house you can learn what was required of the students and the teachers. Memorabilia of the New York Mills Flying Finns Basketball team is on display with in the school house.
Town Hall The Ottertail Town Hall was moved to Finn Creek. The town hall contains plat books over the years of Ottertail County. Town meetings were held in the building and was the place to vote. Settlers in the area took the right to vote seriously.
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Steam Engine
The 1911 75H.P. CASE #26024 steam engine has returned to the Finn Creek Summer Folk Festival. This steam engine originally came to this area in 1987 when Willard Paju bought it from Mark Knox of Fisher, MN and would bring it to the festivals to power the sawmill. Previous known owners of the steam engine were Alf Elden, Gust Hova, and Julian Finseth. Mike Nebosis bought the steam engine from Willard Paju in 1999, and brought it to the Summer Folk Festivals until 2001 when it was determined to be unsafe for public event use until the boiler was repaired and replaced. The steam engine was placed in storage until 2015 when it was sold to David and Lucille Witikko, who accepted the restoration project. They employed Bob Oliver in Auburn, Ontario to fabricate the new boiler and truck it to Larson Welding in Fargo, ND to have Jim Briden complete the major restoration of the steam engine. The steam engine powers the saw mill during the festivals. Visitors can actually see the complexity of this system to make lumber from trees before they bought it at the lumber yard.
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Chapel
The Chapel was built at Finn Creek. Church Services, Weddings and Funerals have been held at the Chapel. During the Summer Festival the Sunday Church Service includes a hymn sing and services in both English and Finnish.
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General StoreA replica of the Heinola General Store was built at Finn Creek and houses our gift shop. The gift shop carries a selection of Finnish cloths, Fazer, Geisha, Nordic Sweets, IItala glass and dish ware, Aarikka jewelry, sauna supplies, Scandinavian jellies, Finnish American Reporter, books, music, caps, T-shirts and more.
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