The Finnish American Historical Archive
Search the Archive Collections
The FAHC Historical Archive houses the largest collection of Finnish-North American materials in the world.
Along with archival materials, the collection includes genealogical resources, information about Finnish culture, artifacts, and North America’s largest collection of Finnish-American artwork. Visitors to the FAHC can view the artifacts on display and access the historical collections. To search the collections online, follow the links below.
If you would like to donate materials, please e-mail the archivist at joanna.chopp@finlandiafoundation.org for more details on our collection policy.
Hours and Location
Street Address: 435 Quincy St., Hancock, MI 49930
Mailing Address: 437 Quincy St., Hancock, MI 49930
- Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday
- Research in the archive is by appointment only
- Research appointments must be made with the archivist in advance, either by phone or email
- joanna.chopp@finlandiafoundation.org
- 906-487-7347
History of the archive
Under the leadership of Dr. Armas Holmio, the Finnish American Historical Archive was established in 1932. Since that time, it has acquired many unique items, such as original artwork by Akseli Gallen-Kallela, Eero Nelimarkka and other famous Finnish and Finnish-American artists, and two 1642 Bibles known as the Christina Bible and commissioned by Queen Christina of Sweden, the first printed edition of the Bible completely in the Finnish language.
At present, the collection features some 40,000 items in a climate-controlled setting. The archive continues to collect materials related to its mission of preserving and promoting Finnish-American culture.