Welcome to the

Finnish American

Heritage Center

The Finnish American Heritage Center hosts cultural events, an art gallery and North American’s most renowned archive and collections meant to preserve and promote Finnish-American identity and history. We’re also the home of the Finnish American Folk School.

Since its grand opening in 1990, the Finnish American Heritage Center has become a community focal point and a national center, offering exhibits, lectures, plays, musical programs and community events each year. The building is a popular stop for tourists and the beautiful Martha Wiljanen Community Hall is available to the public as a rental space. The Heritage Center is also the home of the Finnish American Folk School.

Finnish immigrants dreamed of an institution that would provide religious education, perpetuate the Finnish language and preserve their experience in North America. Suomi College (later Finlandia University) built in 1896, was the realization of that dream, and was the last remaining North American institution of higher learning founded by Finnish Americans before its closure in 2023.

Now under the auspices of the “fiercely Finnish” Finlandia Foundation National, the FAHC, The Finnish American Reporter, the Finnish American Folk School, North Wind Books, and the Finlandia Gallery strive to continue our mission to promote and preserve the culture and heritage of Finnish America.

We invite you to explore everything we have to offer and encourage you to help us fulfill our mission by donating to the Finnish American Heritage Center.

Donate Now

Hours and Location

The Finnish American Heritage Center (FAHC) is open to the general public. No admission fee

  • Public hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
  • Archive research is by appointment-only
  • The FAR office is open during traditional business hours; the FAR office is occasionally closed during the traditional lunch hour.
  • The Finlandia Art Gallery and Martha Wiljanen Community Hall are open and accessible for self-guided tours; guided art gallery tours provided by the Gallery Director are available upon request
  • The Martha Wiljanen Community Hall is available for rent. Inquiries can be made to the FAHC Director.
  • The Finnish American Folk School (FAFS) is a program of the FAHC. Founded in 2017, the FAFS promotes Finnish folk arts and traditional skills and ensure that they thrive for generations to come.
Finnish American Heritage Center at Finlandia University

435 Quincy Street
Hancock, MI 49930
906-487-7549