The Rovaniemi Local History Museum is one of the few remaining residential
buildings characteristic of the area. The main building, storage shed, and two
other sheds belonged to the Pöykkölä farm, which the Local Heritage
Association Rovaniemen Totto (Kotiseutuyhdistys Rovaniemen Totto ry.) bought
in 1957. Since then, 13 log buildings have been transferred to the location
from the Rovaniemi region. The museum was opened to the public in 1959.
The museum illustrates life in a local farmhouse and its buildings a hundred
years ago. The collection consists of villagers’ artefacts from the turn of
the 19th and 20th century. They are mainly related to the traditional trades
such as fishing, cattle farming, hunting, and reindeer farming. The
empire-style main building from the 1840s stands in its original location and
has been furnished following the traditional local style. Several collections
are on display in the storage shed, including ones illustrating traditional
handicrafts and food economy. In addition, the ground floor of the storage
shed features an interesting photographic exhibition of the history of
Rovaniemi.
Every year, the local history museum serves as the venue for various events: a
fest featuring the traditional hoisting of the flag at Midsummer’s Eve,
Marjetta’s fest with grilled salmon on the third Sunday of July, hymn assembly
at the end of July, and traditional meal Römppäpuolinen on November. There is
also "Good Thomas' porridge party" on 21st of December.
Rovaniemi Local History Museum is located by the River Kemijoki 3.5 km
from the city centre.
