Lastentarhatalo Saima
Lastentarhatalo Saima is a living kindergarten museum in the Appelqvist house, one of the oldest buildings in Pori.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Lastentarhatalo Saima began its activities in 2016 in the Appelqvist house in the fifth district of Pori. The museum is maintained by the Porin Lastentarhamuseon ystävät LasTMu ry association, founded in 2015; its patron is the Lastentarhamuseo of the Ebeneser Foundation in Helsinki. The name comes from Saima Kyhä (1888–1974), who served as the head of the Finnish folk kindergarten in Pori.
The Appelqvist house is one of the oldest surviving wooden houses in Pori. Its oldest part was built no later than 1843, and the house was extended in 1853 and 1867. The house was renovated in 2005–2007, and the interiors were restored to the look of the 1920s. The building has never housed a kindergarten, but it holds many objects from the former premises of the Finnish folk kindergarten in Pori, known as the Itätulli day nursery.
The museum presents the history of kindergartens in Pori and Fröbel’s educational philosophy. The house has four rooms and a kitchen, and play sessions as well as nature and history adventures are organised in the yard.
Highlights
- Appelqvist house, one of the oldest wooden houses in Pori
- Rooms furnished in the style of the 1920s
- Museum collection and basic exhibition on the history of kindergartens in Pori
- Old toys and kindergarten objects that can be played with
- Café during open-door days
- Founded
- 2016
- Operated by
- Porin Lastentarhamuseon ystävät LasTMu ry
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Admission to open-door events is free. The café offers drinks free of charge, and visitors can support the museum through donations.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
The museum is aimed at children and families: visitors can play with old toys, and play sessions as well as seasonal events are organised in the yard.
Getting there & parking
By car
Free parking
Free parking spaces right next to the house.
Amenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
Café during open-door days; museum shop.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
