Lastentarhamuseo

About the museum

The Lastentarhamuseo was founded in 1998 by the Ebeneser-säätiö (Ebeneser Foundation); the foundation’s board made the decision in 1997. Child-care and early-education advisers Siiri Valli and Pirkko Salpakivi were central to founding the museum. The museum operates in the Ebeneser building at Helsinginkatu 3–5.

The first exhibition opened on 1 September 1998 on the fourth floor under the name Leikki – oppiminen – työ (Play – Learning – Work). The museum’s core collection was assembled from kindergarten and seminar objects found in the attic and cellar of the Ebeneser building, and it has been supplemented with donations.

The renewed permanent exhibition Kansanlastentarha – Helsinginkatu 3–5 (People’s Kindergarten) opened on the third floor in 2009. It focuses mainly on the early 20th century. Later, the premises were expanded to include, among other things, the Toimela-leikkikauppa (Toimela toy shop) in 2016 and the Johtajattaren huone (Headmistress’s Room) and Paja (Workshop) in 2021.

Highlights

• People’s Kindergarten – permanent exhibition on the early 20th century
• History of kindergarten from the child’s perspective
• Toimela toy shop
• Ebeneser building designed by Wivi Lönn
• Objects that can be examined and played with

Permanent exhibition

• Kansanlastentarha – Helsinginkatu 3–5 – The permanent exhibition on the third floor focuses mainly on kindergarten work in the early 20th century and includes the Matkan alku (Start of the Journey) room in the former caretaker’s room.

Founded

1998

Operated by

Ebeneser-säätiö

Director

Taina Sillanpää

Admission & discounts

Museokortti (Finnish Museum Card) is accepted.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Hands-on stations

The museum is designed from a child’s perspective, and it has objects and spaces that children and adults can examine and play with.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 50 guests.

The Museon sali (museum hall, for up to 50 people) and the Johtajattaren huone (Headmistress’s Room, for 10 people) can be rented, also together. Rental takes place outside the museum’s opening hours, and the event must relate to early childhood education, culture, general education or artistic work.

Plan your visit