Varpaisjärven kotiseutumuseo
The local heritage museum in Varpaisjärvi’s first elementary school presents local history and an old classroom.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
A local heritage association was founded in Varpaisjärvi in 1956, and its main task was to establish a local heritage museum. The museum’s objects were based on a collection gathered by teacher Aino Putkonen, and the collecting work was continued by Väinö Putkonen and Kauko Ruuskanen. The museum moved into Varpaisjärvi’s first elementary school in 1960, and regular opening hours began in 1978. When Varpaisjärvi was merged with Lapinlahti in 2011, the museum passed into the ownership of the municipality of Lapinlahti.
The museum building is the Sutela school, built by volunteer work in 1895. At one end of the building is the teacher’s residence, consisting of a kitchen and a room. During the war the building served as temporary accommodation for soldiers and residents.
The smaller classroom has an exhibition presenting an old school classroom, and the larger room displays tools, fishing equipment, and household and handicraft objects. The collection includes about a thousand objects, among them the tools of master ski-maker Erik Valkonen for making skis. In the yard are a smithy building (pajarakennus), a windlass well and a windmill moved from the Huhtamäki site, where Paavo Ruotsalainen lived.
Highlights
- Old classroom in the municipality’s first elementary school
- Ski-making tools of master ski-maker Erik Valkonen
- Tools, fishing equipment and household and handicraft objects from Varpaisjärvi
- Windmill moved from the site where Paavo Ruotsalainen lived
- Smithy building and windlass well in the yard
Permanent exhibitions
- Koululuokkanäyttely – The smaller classroom has an exhibition of an old classroom, whose objects illustrate the development of the school system.
- Kotiseutunäyttely – The large classroom displays old tools, fishing equipment, and household and handicraft objects from Varpaisjärvi.
- Operated by
- Lapinlahden kunta
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Admission to the museum is free.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
The museum has learning material for school pupils, and QR-code orienteering enlivens the museum visit.
Getting there & parking
The museum is located in the church village of Varpaisjärvi.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Learning material is available for all learners, and the museum has a museum package linked to the school exhibition. Visitors to the Hevosajoneuvomuseo Hepola (horse-vehicle museum), located beside the museum, are directed there via the local heritage museum. |
