Kotkaniemi

About the museum

The villa-like log house at Kotkaniemi was built in 1898–1899 by the judge and laamanni (district judge) Alfred Thomé of the Lappeenranta district court. P. E. Svinhufvud was appointed Thomé's successor in 1908, and he bought the estate for his family. Kotkaniemi was the Svinhufvuds' longest-lasting home until Svinhufvud's death in 1944, although the family was at times away for long periods, including during the Siberian exile and his presidency. Later the estate housed a full-board guesthouse.

The museum was opened by Museovirasto (the Finnish Heritage Agency) in 2000, but the agency later gave up museum operations. In 2013 Luumäki municipality, the P. E. Svinhufvud Memorial Foundation and the Svinhufvud af Qvalstad family association founded the Kotkaniemi Foundation. Senaatti-kiinteistöt (Senate Properties), that is, the state, took the property into its ownership, and the house was thoroughly renovated in 2016–2017. The museum reopened in May 2018, and since then the Kotkaniemi Foundation has been responsible for the opening hours and exhibitions.

The home museum's rooms have been restored to the Svinhufvuds' time of the 1920s and 1930s, and they are furnished with original furniture and objects. The museum tells of the life of President P. E. Svinhufvud and Mrs Ellen Svinhufvud, as well as the everyday life of Kotkaniemi as a farm. The courtyard has a garden restored in the style of the 1920s and 1930s, a lakeside sauna and a nature trail.

Highlights

• Home museum of President P. E. Svinhufvud
• Rooms furnished with original furniture
• Garden restored in the style of the 1920s and 1930s
• Café Ellen in summer
• Location on the shore of Lake Kivijärvi

Permanent exhibition

• Kotkaniemen kotimuseo – The home museum presents the life of President P. E. Svinhufvud and Mrs Ellen Svinhufvud, as well as everyday life at Kotkaniemi as a farm. The rooms have been restored to the Svinhufvuds' time, with original furniture and objects.

Founded

2000

Operated by

Kotkaniemi-säätiö

Admission & discounts

The admission ticket can also be paid with Smartum or the Museokortti (Finnish Museum Card). Admission to the garden and café is always free. Group visits outside opening hours are charged for a minimum of 10 people.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The ground floor of the museum is accessible, and step-free access to the museum premises is from the end of the café. Accessible parking spaces are in the courtyard after the gate. There are seats in the exhibition space.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Playground / play area

For schools and kindergarten groups there is a hands-on visit package, including a guided tour, tasks indoors and outdoors and laser shooting. Under-18s enter free.

Getting there & parking

Official signs leading to Kotkaniemi are along main road 6. Some map programmes find the place at its old address, Lappeenrannantie 455. The museum is about 20 km from Lappeenranta. In summer, Kotkaniemi can also be reached by boat from Kivijärvi to the guest-boat jetty.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Café Ellen serves in summer and by request, and the museum has a museum shop. The courtyard also has a lakeside sauna and a nature trail.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

The main building has meeting rooms, and events can be organised throughout the year by advance booking.

Plan your visit