Many people have reached out to the FAHC Archive since July with questions, requests for appointments, and research inquiries. First, I want to thank everyone for their patience as the Archive has been temporarily closed to visitors during this time. The process of preparing materials for our initial digitization pilot project has been more complex and time-consuming than first anticipated. It’s also been fascinating and rewarding.

We identified a subset of the records related to the founding of Suomi College and the Suomi Synod in the 1890s as the focus of this initial digitization project. They have significant historical value, a lot of potential for research use, and are in some danger of deterioration due to their age.

Photo: A “before” of an archive box of records.

Photo: An “after” of a box, now with new folders, new labels

This subset of the collection contains many types of records: Ledgers with meeting minutes from the Synod Consistory leaders, publications from the Suomi Synod pastors’ wives, correspondences from dozens of congregations across the Finnish-American landscape, early Suomi College yearbooks and student newspapers, photographs, and course catalogs. I even ran across a letter with Herbert Hoover’s signature on it, regarding his role with the humanitarian efforts of the Finnish Relief Fund in 1939!

Most of these records were last organized in the 1960s around the time that the Suomi Synod merged with the LCA and later the ELCA. Many of the folders have become brittle and imperil the documents they hold.  I’ve replaced them with new acid-free folders, then renumbered and relabeled each one. For those that need it, I’ve also moved the contents into sturdier double-walled archival boxes and updated the container list for each box so that we can maintain the order and context of each box of materials. The before and after is quite impressive and will help in the preservation of the original documents even as we move forward in creating digital copies as well.

One aspect I have found particularly interesting in this preparatory work is the array of fasteners used to hold pages together. The earliest papers had a lot of strait pins simply shoved through the corners of letters. Some bundles were still being held together by strings. There were many, MANY typical paperclips as well, some of which were excessively rusty. But there were other paperclips too, in sizes and shapes I had never seen before. All of them need to be removed to make the digitization workflow more efficient, and to avoid future damage to the paper.

Photo: A collection of paperclips, pins, staples and other fasteners I’ve removed so far from archive materials set to be digitized.

This pilot project is just a tiny portion of the overall archive holdings. But it’s an exciting start to make the materials here, many of which can only be seen at present by physically coming to Hancock, accessible to anyone anywhere in the world.

If you have an email or voicemail that has not yet been answered, rest assured that I am working my way through the backlog. Sometime soon, many of these routine inquiries will be answerable with an online search. It’s the start of an exciting new era here at the FAHC.

The post From Archive Box to Digital Access: A New Era at the FAHC Archive appeared first on 91ɬ��.

Presented by 91ɬ��, FinnFest USA, and Frank Theatre for a One-Night-Only Free Outdoor Performance at Minnehaha Park on Sept. 19

MINNEAPOLIS, MN (August 17, 2026) — In honor of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, 91ɬ�� (FFN)—the premier Finnish-American history, heritage, and cultural organization in the United States—in partnership with FinnFest USA and Minneapolis’ acclaimed Frank Theatre, proudly announces the world premiere of MORTON: The Forgotten Founder.

Written by Twin Cities playwright Laurie Flanigan Hegge and directed by Frank Theatre Artistic Director Wendy Knox, the one-act history play with music will receive a single, free outdoor performance on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at 6:00 PM at the Minnehaha Park Pavilion in Minneapolis.

Commissioned by FFN as a centerpiece of FinnFest 2026, MORTON uncovers the overlooked legacy of John Morton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence of Finnish heritage. Once a loyal subject of the British crown, Morton cast one of the historic swing votes in the Pennsylvania delegation that tipped the balance toward American independence.

Staged in the spirited tradition of Finland’s beloved ����ä�ٱ𲹳ٳٱ���� (summer outdoor theatre), the fast-paced, 60-minute comedy features a versatile SIX-actor ensemble portraying a dynamic gallery of Revolutionary-era figures alongside live musical accompaniment.

A Centerpiece Event of FinnFest 2026

FinnFest 2026 provides the ideal backdrop for this historic premiere as the festival makes its celebrated return to Minneapolis. For more than 40 years, FinnFest has traveled to communities across the United States, and this year’s festival—running September 18–20, 2026—features an extensive lineup of Finnish-American panels, cultural exhibits, workshops, and community gatherings.

Presented as a standout Saturday event of the festival weekend, MORTON offers an inviting, accessible open-air theatre experience in the park, welcoming festivalgoers, Twin Cities arts lovers, and audiences of all backgrounds.

The evening’s festivities begin at 6:00 PM with an opening context address by Jay Smith, 91ɬ��’s Lecturer of the Year. Following the play, the stage transitions to a live community dance and concert by Twin Cities folk ensemble Lauluaika (“Song Time”), performing traditional hall music and dance tunes that have animated Finnish-American social halls for generations.

“One aspect, and indeed, unique strength of America is that it is made up of stories, experiences, and people of all backgrounds and complicated pasts. John Morton is a figure that allows us to examine the deep Finnish roots present in the United States that go all the way back to our nation’s founding. Also, the play is just fun!” said Thomas Flanagan, Executive Director, 91ɬ��.

“FinnFest is the perfect venue to highlight this unique Finnish-American story. We have been convening Finns and Finnish-Americans in various communities for over four decades and we are excited to highlight a story that reaches as far back as the founding of the United States this year,” said Marianne Wargelin, FinnFest Programming Chair.

Cast & Production Team

• Playwright: Laurie Flanigan Hegge
• Director: Wendy Knox
• Musical Director/Keyboard: Marya Hart 
• Cast: John Middleton, Maria Asp, Kate Beahen, Stephanie Bertumen, Kelsey Cramer, and Tinia Moulder
• Production Credits: Costumes by Kathy Kohl, scenery and props by Sarah Harris, lighting and sound by Own Roth
• Historical Lecturer: Jay Smith (91ɬ�� Lecturer of the Year)
• Post-Show Musical Guest: Lauluaika

About the Lead Artists

• Laurie Flanigan Hegge (Playwright / Book & Lyrics) is an award-winning Minneapolis-based playwright, bookwriter, and lyricist. Her acclaimed stage works include Sweet Land, The Musical, Loose Lips Sink Ships, See Jane Vote, Hormel Girls, Twenty Days to Find a Wife, Boxcar, and Dirty Business.
  
• Wendy Knox (Director) is the founder and Artistic Director of Frank Theatre, where she has directed nearly 80 productions over 35+ years. A former Fulbright Fellow in Finland, Knox spent two years collaborating with the country’s leading directors. Her notable Finnish-focused stagings include the English-language premiere of Maria Jotuni’s Huojuva Talo (Tottering House) and Ruth MacKenzie’s Kalevala: Dream of the Salmon Maiden at the Guthrie Theater, Southern Theater, and The O’Shaughnessy.

Listing Information

• WHAT: World Premiere of MORTON: The Forgotten Founder by Laurie Flanigan Hegge (A history play with music, followed by a live folk concert & dance by Lauluaika)
• PRESENTED BY: 91ɬ��, FinnFest USA, and Frank Theatre
• WHEN:Saturday, September 19, 2026
  • 5:30 PM: Site Open & Seating
  • 6:00 PM: Historical Introduction by Jay Smith, followed immediately by performance
  • 7:15 PM: Live Music & Social Dance by Lauluaika
• WHERE: Minnehaha Park Pavilion, 4801 S. Minnehaha Dr., Minneapolis, MN 55417
• RUN TIME: ~60 minutes (no intermission); post-show music to follow.
• ADMISSION: FREE and open to the public. Advance RSVPs encouraged, not required
• RSVP & INFORMATION: Visit

About the Organizations

91ɬ�� (FFN)
91ɬ�� is the premier cultural nonprofit championing Finnish-American heritage and fostering vibrant transatlantic connections. Operating nationwide with headquarters in Pasadena, CA, and the Finnish American Heritage Center in Hancock, MI, FFN supports nearly 60 local chapters through grants, scholarships, and cultural programming.

FinnFest USA
Founded over 40 years ago, FinnFest USA is North America’s preeminent annual festival dedicated to Finnish and Finnish-American culture, arts, and contemporary dialogue. FinnFest 2026 takes place in Minneapolis, MN, from September 18–20, 2026.

About Frank Theatre
Founded in 1989 by Artistic Director Wendy Knox, Frank Theatre is a professional Minneapolis-based company renowned for producing adventurous, socially engaging, and fearless theatrical work that challenges audiences and artists alike.

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Driving back from a week of fieldwork in northern Minnesota on the Mesabi Iron Range, part of the route took me down Minnesota’s Highway number 7. I couldn’t help but smile as the chorus of ’s famous tune from 1957 came to mind: “In my shack by the swamp on the highway number 7.” A portion of that highway was renamed to be the Bobby Aro Memorial Highway in 2008, in honor of the well-loved radio DJ and singer from the area who combined Finnish and English in many of his humorous tunes. I was struck by how place and landscape contribute to a better understanding of points of cultural significance for Finnish American communities, especially in the Upper Midwest. A lot of nuance is added by familiarity with Finnish American musical legends like Bobby Aro or the Oulu HotShots and knowing a handful of Finglish words like mojakka, korsteeni, and farmi. Some of those words are derived from the predominantly Ostrobothnian dialects spoken by immigrants to the region around the turn of the 20th century, others developing following decades of contact with English in North America. Many of these things come up during oral history interviews.

Oral histories are one of many sources researchers use to better understand past events and moments in time. Each of the individuals I interviewed in northern Minnesota shared rich stories of life in the region. Two were raised in Laestadian families. One grew up in a boarding house owned by her grandparents and later ensured the building’s preservation at the Minnesota Discovery Center. Two grew up on the Fond du Lac reservation, Nagaajiwanaang in the Ojibwe language. Two others immigrated from Finland themselves following World War II. A couple had relatives that owned or helped operate local co-op stores. They all shared memories of how Finnish was used and spoken in their families and communities. One recalled her Finnish language skills coming in handy when she had to break up a fight at a nursing home between two men shouting at each other in Finnish. They’d been dumbstruck when she was able to join the conversation. I even happened to interview the grandmother of one of my friends from northern Virginia. I realized the connection only a couple days before the interview and we connected over the coincidence that we had both attended his wedding in 2019 over a thousand miles away. 

Virginia, Minnesota

On the first day of the trip, I made my way to Kaleva Hall in Virginia, Minnesota. I was immediately struck by how well the building had been maintained since its construction in the early 1900s. I was given a tour by two women, each named Eila, walking me through their meeting rooms and great hall. Eila Ivonen shared many of the scrapbooks she’d created, filled with images, event posters and flyers, and newspaper clippings of various events the hall has hosted over the years. The Knights of Kaleva are a fraternal organization first founded in 1898 with lodges established in states across the country. The Ladies of Kaleva were established a few years later to provide women with the same opportunity for creating and preserving community among Finns in America. While membership in the Knights and Ladies of Kaleva has declined over the last few decades, the local chapter of the Ladies of Kaleva is still very active. They recently hosted one of their most successful bake sale fundraisers yet. 

Scrapbooks record different events hosted at Kaleva Hall throughout the years. Plays and musical events, including dances, have been popular over time. The Ladies of Kaleva hosted one of their most successful bake sales this winter. 

Kaleva Hall in Virginia, Minnesota, was first constructed in 1906.

Eila Isaacson looks for Kuopio on a map of Finland to show where she was born.

The second floor of Kaleva hall has a stage for performances. 

A small lending library was established out of Kaleva Hall. Eila Ivonen led the application for a grant to secure bookcases in which to preserve the books: some written in Finnish, others in English.

The ways that people built community and adapted language and traditions 100 years ago can tell us about the bigger picture of how change happens over time, and what resources communities need to best support their families and one another. Especially interesting is how the meaning of traditions can change over time, from something ethnic to something local. On the way out of town, I stopped for dinner at Kunnari’s kitchen and coffeehouse. I did a double take when I read the daily special was krupsua (also known as kropsu, a dialect word used mostly in western Finland and also among many Finnish Americans). No explanation listed on the menu, and no other overt symbols or connections to Finnish or Finnish American heritage in the restaurant. A piece of food culture that was totally local. When I asked them what it was, I was told it was a kind of Finnish pancake. And it was delicious.

Hibbing, Minnesota

A couple days later, I chatted with a Finnish conversation group that meets monthly at a cafe in Hibbing, MN to speak in Finnish. The majority of Finnish Americans I meet lament on how few people speak Finnish nowadays. It was a refreshing surprise to join a regular meeting dedicated to speaking in Finnish. One individual spoke Finnish with a striking Ostrobothnian dialect, despite traveling to Finland only twice in their life. The group told me about where many Finns had lived in the area, name changes of various towns, and generally what it was like to grow up in the area. Some had moved back after years of working elsewhere. The conversation and group again reminded me of the connection between language, place, and traditions and the choices we make in what matters to us and what we carry forward in our own lives and with our friends and families.

Why do oral history interviews matter?

The fieldwork trip and conversations I shared offer a snapshot of life in the region, and especially of both endurance and transformation within the Finnish American community. People shared the things and values that mattered to them and the role they had played in helping to shape their community. Offers of pulla and coffee, suggestions of people to interview, recollections of the various Finnish practices of relatives, and memories of how community was created and maintained paint a vivid picture of life in the region. They also offer valuable accounts of why traditions were carried forward and how they were adapted.

I’ve heard many ex-patriate Finns comment on the instant connection they feel with someone they meet outside Finland who understands the significance of pulla, sauna, or Fazerin sininen. Many people I’ve interviewed (whether an immigrant themselves or a 3rd generation descendant) have said that it is important to them to pass Finnish heritage on to the next generation. And most people have ways they do this in their day to day lives: baking pulla, placing straw decorations on the Christmas tree, speaking Finnish, or taking sauna on Saturdays. In addition to creating a record for researchers, oral history interviews create a record for families and communities, offering insight into how pulla was made locally or how particular buildings were constructed. As part of the Oral History Project, I am curating an online resource including a “how to” guide for doing your own interviews with family members, advice for recording audio, and guidelines for if you would like the files to be preserved. 

We launched the oral history project at FinnFest 2025, collecting 21 interviews over 3 days in Duluth. I love doing this work. I love to learn how a person’s experiences and communities have shaped them, and the role of Finnish language and culture in how they make meaning in their lives. When you are raised in a minority language or culture in the setting of a different majority language and cultural group, you inherently have a different understanding of that minority culture compared to those in a country where it is the majority. You may learn what it means to be Finnish from the values instilled by your family, the stories told by relatives, and hopefully from experiences in Finland if you are fortunate enough to travel there. Those whose families immigrated from Finland generations ago have played a role in actively forming a unique Finnish American culture. The way Finnish American language and culture has developed across North America and changed over time is a story that needs to be documented and preserved, through as many voices and sources as possible. 

Edythe Krummi Karlstrand (98 years old) and Pastor Emily Rova-Hegener have remained friends for many years. 

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A major new exhibition by Finnish artist Tuomas A. Laitinen opens this September in Brooklyn, supported in part by a 91ɬ�� grant.

From September 12 through November 22, 2026, Pioneer Works in Brooklyn, New York, will present Siphon, an ambitious multimedia installation by Helsinki-based artist Tuomas A. Laitinen. More than a decade in the making, the exhibition brings together contemporary art, neuroscience, ecology, sound, and sculpture in an immersive exploration of octopus intelligence, sleep, and consciousness.

Produced by the Helsinki-based arts organization PALO in collaboration with the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) in Japan, Siphon features immersive video, blown-glass sculptures, and a spatial audio installation that invites visitors to consider new ways of perceiving intelligence, the natural world, and our place within it.

91ɬ�� is proud to have supported this remarkable project through one of its grants.

As the exhibition approaches its opening, Stéphane Querrec, Founder and Director of PALO, reflected on the collaboration and the role of 91ɬ�� in helping the project reach an international audience.

“We are especially grateful for your commitment, and for the role 91ɬ�� has played in strengthening cultural connections between Finland and the United States. Your support has helped create an opportunity for Finnish contemporary art to reach new audiences and become part of an international dialogue.”

Querrec also noted that while visitors will experience the exhibition itself, Siphon represents something much larger:

“Meaningful international collaborations are built over time. While the exhibition is the visible outcome, it also represents years of international groundwork: developing relationships, building institutional trust, and creating the conditions for ambitious artistic ideas to flourish across borders.”

Those words capture exactly why 91ɬ�� invests in the arts. Our grants help artists move beyond ideas and into realization—creating opportunities for Finnish and Finnish-American artists to share their work, build international partnerships, and enrich cultural dialogue between Finland and the United States.

We congratulate Tuomas A. Laitinen, PALO, and all of the collaborators who helped bring Siphon to life, and we look forward to seeing audiences experience this extraordinary exhibition.

Siphon
September 12 – November 22, 2026
Pioneer Works
Brooklyn, New York

Congratulations to everyone involved in this remarkable achievement. We are honored to have played a small part in bringing this visionary project to life.

The post 91ɬ�� Grant Helps Bring Finnish Contemporary Art to Pioneer Works appeared first on 91ɬ��.

Aug 06, 2026

The network’s mission is to help young Finnish Americans support one another through mentorship, shared experiences, and professional networking. In addition, Nordic Student Network aims to build a broad mentor community and create meaningful professional connections with Finland.

Young People Taking Charge of Their Own Future

The new network is coordinated by lifelong friends Edla Lahtiranta and Olivia Backholm, who have known each other since childhood camping trips.

Growing up together in Silicon Valley, their conversations have long revolved around life, education, and the future.

“Over time, we realized that our Finnish heritage and the network that comes with it are a unique strength,” says Edla Lahtiranta, who studies anthropology at Middlebury College in Vermont. This summer, Edla is an intern at Nordic Innovation House in Silicon Valley.

One example came when Edla was applying to college and considering her next steps. Olivia became an invaluable source of guidance.

“I remember that neither I nor my parents really understood the American college system very well. Olivia had already been through the process herself and knew exactly how to help.”

The two friends feel they have benefited enormously from their own networks and wanted to turn that experience into something that could benefit others through Nordic Student Network.

The idea of the network had been developing within the Finnish-American community for some time, but it was ultimately their own experiences that inspired them to bring it to life as they did.

Olivia Backholm, who studies engineering at Harvey Mudd College and works as a Research & Development Intern at Stellartech Research Corporation, explains:

“We grew up in a close-knit Finnish community that our parents spent years building here. When I started looking for internships, it felt natural to reach out to people I already knew. Opportunities often come through relationships. That’s the opportunity NSN wants to create for more young people like us.”

“Why should we keep valuable experiences to ourselves? We want to create opportunities for everyone to learn from one another,” Edla adds.

“Many young Finnish Americans have a strong Finnish identity, but they don’t have a clear professional pathway to incorporate that part of themselves into their careers. We want our network to encourage both young people and established professionals to build meaningful connections. At its best, everyone benefits.”

Staying Connected to Finland After Finnish School

According to Olivia, it’s common for young Finnish Americans to lose touch with the Finnish community during one of the most important stages of their lives.

“Finnish School brings children together until they’re about sixteen years old. After that, many Finnish organizations are geared toward working professionals or families. We wanted to create a community for our own generation—young adults for whom being Finnish is still an important part of their identity and who need professional networks in their early careers.”

Edla remembers what the Finnish community in Silicon Valley looked like when she was growing up.

“I used to go to Finland Park as a little kid. It was full of Finnish children. Today there are fewer of us. Some families have returned to Finland, while others have moved to different states or countries. We’re literally rebuilding this community—one person, one connection at a time—from the perspective of young adults.”

Today’s Mentees Become Tomorrow’s Mentors

As NSN invites students to join its mentorship program, it is also recruiting experienced professionals to serve as mentors.

“Silicon Valley is known for technology, but we’re looking for mentors from every profession,” says Olivia, an engineering student.

“We encourage everyone to join the conversation about career opportunities, regardless of age or professional background.”

The goal of NSN is to build lasting relationships and strengthen young people’s understanding of professional life through mentorship and shared experience.

“Our hope is that every mentee finds the program so valuable that one day they’ll become a mentor themselves and provide the same support to the next generation.”

The first step begins this August, when Nordic Student Network launches its inaugural mentoring cohort at Nordic Innovation House in Silicon Valley. In addition to in-person events, participants can join virtually from anywhere in the United States.

“Many of the young people in our community attend college or take their first steps in their careers elsewhere in the U.S., and some even study in Finland. We want them to feel like they’re part of this community wherever they are.”

Finland’s Innovation Ecosystem Inspires the Next Generation

Edla says her summer at Nordic Innovation House completely changed the way she sees Finland.

“I’ve met dynamic Nordic entrepreneurs and, for the first time, learned about events like Slush. I realized just how much exciting innovation and entrepreneurship is happening in Finland.”

Olivia sees that inspiration leading somewhere bigger.

“We want to build a professional bridge to Finland. We want to understand what it’s like to develop innovations, conduct research in Finland, and build careers in Finnish companies.”

“In the United States, the transition from college to professional life is very structured and intentional. We’d love for our Finnish heritage to become a meaningful part of that journey as well.”

Building Living Professional Connections with Finland

Many young Finnish Americans have family in Finland, but relatively few have professional networks there.

“I’ve dreamed for a long time about studying and working in Finland. It would broaden my perspective and enrich my professional experience. Without contacts and networks, opportunities like that can be difficult to find.”

Olivia believes NSN can strengthen collaboration between Finland and the United States while helping young professionals build lasting relationships across the Atlantic.

Vice President Jenni Backholm of Finlandia Foundation SF Bay Area supports the development of the initiative.

“Young Finnish Americans are fluent in both Finnish and English, understand the cultures of both countries, and bring cutting-edge knowledge from outstanding universities.”

“Finland is increasingly attractive to young people because of its innovation ecosystem. Finnish employers could benefit tremendously from their skills, perspectives, and networks—whether they’re based in the United States or in Finland,” she adds.

The Finlandia Foundation serves as the network’s sponsor and enabling organization. Backholm explains the broader vision of the Finlandia Foundation San Francisco Bay Area Chapter.

“The Finlandia Foundation is widely known for promoting Finnish culture. For those of us living in Silicon Valley, Finnish culture also means a culture of innovation. Our history is important, but we’re building Finland’s future image for the next generation—not just for ourselves. That’s why we’re building the Nordic Student Network.”

Learn more:

• Nordic Student Network: 

Contact:
FinlandiaSF.Youth@gmail.com

Olivia Backholm and Edla Lahtiranta kicked off Nordic Student Network by moderating a panel discussion with Lina Merk, Emilia Korhonen, Otso Veitserä and Heini Lahtela at Nordic Innovation House in August 2026.

Thanks for reading! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support Nina Dahlblom’s work.

Visit her blog by clicking .

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91ɬ�� at FinnFest 2026: Where History, Music and Community Come Together

A forgotten founder returns to the stage. A Finnish-born artist turns mythology into music. A folk band brings the old Finn Halls back to life. And a new generation gathers to carry the story forward.

Experience it all at FinnFest USA 2026.

September 17–20, 2026 · Minneapolis

What 91ɬ�� Is Bringing to FinnFest

Ruut: 2026 Performer of the Year

Hear the Finnish-born singer, pianist and storyteller whose music draws inspiration from Finnish mythology, cultural heritage and the Kalevala.

Ruut Brings Finnish Mythology into the Present

Finnish-born singer, pianist, author and educator Ruut DeMeo—known professionally as Ruut—is 91ɬ��’s 2026 Performer of the Year.

For more than two decades, Ruut has built a creative life around music, storytelling and the belief that art can help people remember where they came from while discovering something new about themselves.

Known in Baltimore as the city’s “piano girl,” she has released nine independent albums and performed internationally. Her performances combine commanding piano work, expressive vocals and deeply personal storytelling.

Her newest creative work reaches back toward Finland.

Ruut’s upcoming album, Motherland, draws from Finnish mythology, cultural memory and oral storytelling traditions. The project is closely connected to her forthcoming novel, which reimagines the characters and world of the Kalevala.

At FinnFest, audiences will have opportunities to experience Ruut as both a performer and a Finnish-born woman creating a life and body of work in America. She will also join a conversation featuring five Finnish-born women artists whose work spans music, writing, visual art and performance.

Ruut’s work is a reminder that Finnish heritage is not something preserved only in archives. It continues to evolve through the artists who interpret it, challenge it and carry it forward.

Jay Smith: 2026 Lecturer of the Year

Discover the little-known story of John Morton, the Finnish American founder whose deciding vote helped move the colonies toward independence.

A Forgotten Finnish American—and a Vote That Shaped a Nation

As the United States marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, 91ɬ�� is helping FinnFest audiences rediscover an important Finnish-American connection to the nation’s founding.

John Morton was a Pennsylvania delegate to the Continental Congress and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Although his name is unfamiliar to many Americans today, his decision played a pivotal role in moving the colonies toward independence.

Morton cast a deciding vote from Pennsylvania  in favor of independence, helping unite the colonies behind separation from Britain.

He was also of Finnish descent.

At FinnFest, John “Jay” E. Smith, 91ɬ��’s 2026 Lecturer of the Year, will bring Morton’s story back into public view.

Smith is a trained public historian, researcher and archivist dedicated to making history accessible, engaging and relevant. His work bridges the distance between academic research and the stories communities tell about themselves.

Through presentations, writing, archival research and interactive storytelling, Smith helps audiences understand not only what happened in the past, but why it continues to matter.

His exploration of John Morton asks us to reconsider whose stories are remembered, whose are overlooked and how Finnish Americans helped shape the larger American story.

A Free Night of Theatre

See the premiere of MORTON: The Forgotten Founder at Minnehaha Park—then stay for traditional Finnish music, singing and dancing with Lauluaika.

The story of John Morton comes alive through a new theatrical production created in recognition of America’s 250th anniversary.

91ɬ�� and Frank Theatre, together with FinnFest USA, present the premiere of:

MORTON: The Forgotten Founder

A History Play with Music

In Honor of the Nation’s 250th Anniversary

By Laurie Flanigan Hegge
Directed and Produced by Wendy Knox

Saturday, September 19, 2026
Play begins at 5:30 p.m.
Minnehaha Park Pavilion, near Sea Salt
One performance only—free and open to everyone

What Makes a Revolution a Revolution?

MORTON: The Forgotten Founder explores the choices, convictions and personal consequences behind one of the most important decisions in American history.

Morton was not simply casting a vote. He was taking a position that divided communities, families and political leaders. His decision helped break Pennsylvania’s deadlock and move the colonies toward a united declaration of independence.

Through theatre and music, the production invites audiences to look beyond the familiar names of the American Revolution and meet a forgotten founder whose Finnish roots form a remarkable connection between Finnish American history and the birth of the United States.

MORTON: The Forgotten Founder was commissioned by 91ɬ��.

The play will kick-off with a short introduction about John Morton, his life and history, by 91ɬ��’s Lecturer of the Year, Jay Smith.

No FinnFest ticket is required for this free Saturday evening performance.

When the Play Ends, the Music Begins

The evening does not end with the final curtain.

Following the play, the Minnehaha Park Pavilion will fill with Finnish and Finnish American folk music as Lauluaika, whose name means “Song Time,” invites the community to stay, listen and dance.

Based in the Twin Cities, Lauluaika was formed in 2016 by musicians who share a commitment to learning, preserving and teaching the music and dances once enjoyed in Finnish gathering places and old Finn Halls.

Their repertoire includes Finnish couples dances such as waltzes, polkas, humppa, jenkka, masurkka and hambo, as well as lively group dances for all ages.

The band also enjoys discovering newly composed music that captures the spirit of Finnish heritage—connecting the traditional sounds of Finnish America with the communities enjoying them today.

Come for the play. Stay for the music, singing and dancing. Bring your family, meet new people and experience the welcoming spirit of an old-fashioned Finnish community gathering.

Saturday, September 19 · Immediately following the play · Free

Young Leaders at the American Swedish Institute

Meet the emerging leaders, professionals and community builders helping shape the future of Finnish America. This is an excellent networking opportunity for young professionals who are Finnish, Finnish-American, or interested in Finland and the Nordic countries.

Young Leaders, the Story Looks Forward

FinnFest moves to the American Swedish Institute on Sunday, September 20, for a day of music, art, history and community.

It is also where 91ɬ�� will turn its attention toward the future.

The 91ɬ�� Young Leaders Networking Event will bring together emerging leaders, young professionals, cultural advocates and community builders who share an interest in Finland and Finnish America.

The Young Leaders Board (YLB) introduces new perspectives and energy into 91ɬ��’s work. Its members help create ways for younger generations to explore their heritage, develop relationships with modern Finland and take active roles in sustaining Finnish-American culture.

The gathering offers more than networking. It creates a place for people to find one another, exchange ideas and consider what Finnish American identity, leadership and cultural engagement might look like in the decades ahead.

Preserving the Story—and Creating What Comes Next

For more than 70 years, 91ɬ�� has championed Finnish-American heritage while building bridges between modern Finland and the United States. That work—through cultural programs, performers, lecturers, grants, scholarships, Finnish language support, and the preservation of Finnish-American archives and artifacts—is woven throughout FinnFest 2026.

You will hear it in the powerful piano and vocals of Ruut. You will encounter it in Jay Smith’s exploration of a forgotten chapter of American history. You will see it brought to life onstage in MORTON: The Forgotten Founder. You will feel it when Lauluaika’s music fills the Minnehaha Park Pavilion and people begin to dance.

And on Sunday, the story continues as 91ɬ��’s Young Leaders gather at the American Swedish Institute to build relationships, strengthen their connections to Finnish America, and imagine what comes next.

Together, these experiences tell a larger story—one that moves from the past, through the present, and into the future. They reflect the heart of 91ɬ��’s mission: preserving Finnish-American history and culture, strengthening connections with contemporary Finland, and creating opportunities for future generations to carry it forward.

And everyone is invited to be part of what comes next.

Join Us at FinnFest USA 2026

September 17–20, 2026
Minneapolis, Minnesota

FinnFest is North America’s premier experience of Finnish and Nordic culture and learning. Enjoy four days of live music, performances, history, art, films, workshops, cultural experiences and community.

Come for one day or experience the entire festival.

You do not have to be Finnish to belong at FinnFest. You simply need to be curious.

Programs, presenters, locations and times are subject to change. Please consult the official FinnFest schedule for the latest information.

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A distinct geographical feature of Michigan’s shoreline along Lake Superior is the colorful sandstone cliffs, where many layers of red, yellow, and brown rock meet ferocious waves. For a Finnish-American of the Copper Country, these landmarks are a welcoming sight on long journeys home, but 5,000 miles away, there are distant cousins of ours who hold similar nostalgic feelings about their own rocky shores.

In the Mari El Republic, they call one such cliff ”Shanavÿl Kü” or “rainbow stone,” which lies along the Yunga river and whose layers of clay are arranged in an arching form. This site is sacred to the Mari people, a Finno-Ugric people who call Mari El home and whose folk stories are populated with rainbows of both sky and stone. 

Mari El is situated within Russia and there are nearly 424,000 Maris living there, with the largest diasporas being in Kazakhstan and Ukraine. It is estimated that 225 Maris live in Estonia, two of whom I had the pleasure of interviewing in the past year. 

In Tallinn, Estonia’s capital, I visited the exhibition of painter Zhanna Toht, who moved to Estonia when she was 22. Her recent exhibition in Tallinn is distinguished by the unique blending of two mediums: watercolor paint and embroidery. 

Mari embroidery is particularly known for its symbols, essential parts of folk clothing which carry meaning for the wearer. This system of symbols is a language of its own, and Toht’s exhibition incorporates them into her paintings to tell a story, carefully embroidering over her watercolor paintings. 

The symbols in her works represent creation, the sun, family, vitality, and protection, which appear in paintings depicting her childhood home, waterfowl, men, women, wildlife, and the spiritual beliefs of the Mari people. 

In her exhibition description, Toht explains why she chose embroidery as her medium: 

It is believed that red embroidery on clothes symbolizes blood vessels that form various patterns. The red color of embroidery is associated with lineage, love, and destiny. Embroidery has always been a way to write your destiny on clothes, reflect the beauty of the surrounding nature, and protect yourself from the evil eye.

Today, the Mari language is endangered and few youth are raised with Mari as their first language. Toht believes that she may be part of the last generation to speak it as her mother tongue. She warns that this very well could be the fate of other smaller languages, such as Estonian. 

“I often tell Estonians to think about how their situation may be similar someday. As more young people use English, the Estonian language may also become endangered.”

Toht hopes that younger generations from all backgrounds will see their heritage as a medium with which to paint their futures.

“In today’s society, where customs are fading and everyone has the opportunity to create their own worldview, a connection to roots helps to make sense of the environment, role, and identity. I hope that the experiences and wisdom of our ancestors also fit into this picture.”

To learn more about the current circumstances surrounding the Mari language and culture, I also spoke with Vasily Nikolaev, the creator of the website MariUver, meaning “Mari news.” 

MariUver was founded to collect and distribute information about the Mari people, Mari El, and other non-Russian peoples of Russia. It often serves as a kind of digital newspaper for Mari people worldwide. 

One of the main challenges facing the Mari within their homeland today is linguistic and cultural assimilation. The main force responsible for this is Russification, a policy which targets the indigenous peoples within Russia and discourages the teaching of their languages. 

“Assimilation has a disastrous effect, and statistics confirm this. In the Kirov region, over the last twenty years, the number of Mari has decreased almost three times,” Nikolaev explained. “Almost everywhere, even in villages, Mari speak only Russian with their children.”

Through MariUver and supporting cultural programs, Nikolaev hopes to create a positive image of Mari identity which emboldens families to pass on their heritage at home. 

For those who seek to learn or to keep their language alive, he has specific advice:

You should never be ashamed to speak your native language. If you don’t know how or speak poorly, start learning and practicing. Constant communication helps to improve the language and make it alive… Study your traditions, culture, and history more deeply. And most importantly, you must preserve the Mari language in the family; it is essential to pass it on to your children.

Given that the majority of the world’s Finno-Ugric languages are facing a similar decline in speakers, Nikolaev believes that collaboration between cultures may well be a necessary ingredient for collective survival. 

“Finno-Ugrians have always been drawn to each other and shared experiences,” he told me. “We learn from each other how to survive and develop in the modern world. Such cooperation gives strength for the preservation of national culture.”

In the end, it may be the great diversity among us –”the shining Finno-Ugric rainbow” as Mari poet Pal Genaj calls it– that weaves a canvas on which future generations will write their own destinies. 

“We’ve scattered across the wide world, and still

managed to lose ourselves in our own home.

Step out of Shanavÿl Kü, if you dare — our

freedom’s been waiting there, tapping its foot.”

Pal Genaj

Interested to learn more about the Mari language and culture? Read more at MariUver: .

We’re just over halfway into this year’s Finno-Ugric festival year in Hancock, Michigan! If you’d like to learn more or plan a trip, visit FinlandiaFoundation.org/Hancock2026. See you there! Nähdään pian!

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The FAHC Archive is embarking on an exciting new project to begin digitizing the collections. It’s been a complex process of weighing the pros and cons of purchasing new equipment and doing the work in-house or contracting with knowledgeable and vetted vendors who specialize in such work. We are now at the point that the exhaustive prep work is going to start bearing fruit in the coming months as we launch a pilot project.

The most enjoyable step so far has been identifying the first subsets of the archive collection to be digitized. After much deliberation, we selected a combination of some of our oldest records from the founding of the Suomi Synod and Suomi College in the 1890s that are in danger from fading and brittle paper, as well as more recent materials related to those entities that are accessed often by researchers. The latter category includes the yearbooks from both the school and the Synod, as well as course catalogs, campus publications, and our entire run of Suomi Inklings, the long-running student newspaper.

I have never found a definitive source in the records from Suomi College that lays out exactly how long Suomi Inklings was published on campus. The first edition (Vol 1, No 1) was published in October 1939. The most recent we have is dated February 1972 but gives no indication if that was the final one. If there is an alum out there who knows the answer to that question, I would be grateful if you let me know.

There are also gaps within years that we know the paper was published.  For example, we only have three editions from 1941-1942. It is possible that a full year wasn’t produced due to staffing, the lingering effects of the Depression, or the looming war in Europe. Or perhaps previous archive staff couldn’t collect copies for the rest of that time. I implore readers to reach out if they have any back issues from any year to see if they might help us fill in some gaps.

While the Inklings contains a lot of whimsical columns and inside jokes tied to the time periods in which it was produced, it also provides a wealth of information that helps the archive staff identify people and events in the many, MANY uncatalogued and unidentified photographs from the early years of the school’s history. Even more reason to ensure we have a full run, if possible.

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The moment I arrived in Narva, the easternmost city of Estonia, I felt that I was in a place quite unlike the others I had seen. Soviet architecture was prominent throughout the city and I scarcely heard anyone speaking Estonian. The reason why became apparent when I took a stroll to the Narva River and found myself looking across, into Russia.

Narva, Estonia is famously known for being the city with the highest concentration of Russian speakers, at 97% of the local population. While Narva is often stereotyped as a “Russian city,” things are not quite as they seem. One only needs to look closer to see the region’s Finno-Ugric roots.

In 2025, Narva was declared as the , and the host of the festival was Ingerimaja, or “Ingria House” in English, a cultural center for all people with Finno-Ugric roots, specifically the local Votic, Izhorian, and Ingrian people. Finno-Ugric peoples have a long history in Narva and, thanks to modern archaeology, we now know that this northeastern region of Estonia once hosted many Votic villages. To find out more about Ingerimaja, I stopped by the cultural center to meet Ekaterina Kuznetsova, the director and program coordinator.

Ingerimaja’s story began in Russia where Kuznetsova was a founding member of a Votic cultural association in St. Petersburg and illustrated the first books ever written in the language. After moving to Narva, she created Ingerimaja with a very specific purpose: to provide a cultural home to the local Finno-Ugric peoples and dispel the myth that Narva is a “Russian city.”

“I want to show that it’s not true that it’s a Russian region,” Kuznetsova explained. “It’s only the Russian language and the people who speak this language have Finno-Ugric roots.”

Kuznetsova is Votic and her family are from a village near the Gulf of Finland– a village which is now on the Russian side of the border. This region is referred to as Ingria and spans from northeastern Estonia into the Leningrad oblast of Russia. Ingria is the homeland of the Votic and Izhorian people. After generations of assimilation, it is estimated that about 20 people speak the Votic language today. Their language has largely been replaced by Russian, as the surviving Votic villages are within modern day Russia. This is true also for many Izhorian and Ingrian people, who now speak Russian and were not raised with their ancestral languages.

However, even if there are only 20 speakers of the language, this doesn’t mean that there are quite so few Votic people, as Kuznetsova told me, “it’s not the language that makes someone Votic, it is the culture.”

After years of working to bring visibility to her language and culture, Kuznetsova has seen the number of people who call themselves Votic multiply. Over time, the sense of shame that caused many people to hide their identity has given way to pride and today more than 100 people in Russia report that they are Votic.

“It is very important, because I want to make a revival of our culture and our languages. It’s a pity that I can’t do this in Russia– in our villages– and in St. Petersburg,” Kuznetsova said.

Linguistically, Votic is a Finno-Ugric language and is the closest language to Estonian having been influenced by Finnish, Russian, and Ingrian. Due to this close relation, the language is known for being comprehensible for both Finns and Estonians.

Kuznetsova pursued learning Votic as an adult and is still learning today, although being unable to visit the villages on the other side of the border makes it challenging to practice and stay in contact with speakers. As a solution, Ingerimaja started a YouTube channel called , meaning “Votic Land,” which teaches about the language, foods, and music of Votic people. The channel has been an invaluable resource for language learners.

There are some young people who can now speak Votic, and this is a spark of hope for the future of the language. Kuznetsova herself is teaching her daughter and, in Finland, there is a Votic man who raised his daughter completely in the language.

The success of Ingerimaja sends a strong message to the world, which I think Kuznetsova sums up the best in her own words.

“We are still here.”

Ingerimaja welcomes visitors from all over the world and you can find more information on their website: .

There has never been a better time to find your way to Hancock, Michigan. As the Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture, 2026 belongs to this special corner of the Upper Peninsula, and the spirit of that celebration is something you’ll want to experience for yourself. Learn more at FinlandiaFoundation.org/Hancock2026.

Nähdään pian!

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We are continually humbled by the generosity of members of our community, which is shown in countless, meaningful ways. Occasionally, however, a single act of generosity stands out because it will reshape the future for generations to come. That is what Sirkka Sinervo-Dragonas has done.

Sirkka lived a quiet life in Wilmington, Delaware. Born in Turku, she carried a deep pride in her Finnish roots and spent her career as a government accountant. While many in our community may not have known her personally, her commitment to Finnish America and to education was profound and unmistakable.

Sirkka had something rare: foresight. Guided by her passions for education and the Finnish American community, her intent as expressed in her will was to establish a scholarship fund to support Finns and Finnish Americans attending Finlandia University, the only Finnish-American institution of higher education in North America. With its 126-year history, Finlandia University was a natural choice as a place where her legacy could endure.

When Sirkka passed away in September 2024, the future of that vision was anything but certain. Finlandia University had closed a year prior, and there was no clear path forward to fulfill her intentions at the intersection of Finnish America and higher education.

In early 2025, 91ɬ�� received a call from attorney Robert Pasquale of Doroshow, Pasquale, Krawitz & Bhaya in Wilmington. He believed there was a way to honor Sirkka’s wishes. His legal team argued in the State of Delaware that 91ɬ��, given its national scope, mission, and longstanding commitment to scholarships, was the most appropriate organization to carry forward this legacy. They were successful.

That decision was more than a legal outcome. It affirms decades of commitment to our mission. Since our founding in 1953, 91ɬ�� has worked to promote and sustain Finnish American heritage and connection. In 1956, we awarded our first scholarship, establishing a lasting commitment to education that continues to grow today.

This April, that legacy took on new meaning. The Sirkka Sinervo-Dragonas Fund has been officially established at FFN as a $1.5 million endowment dedicated exclusively to scholarships. The annual proceeds from this fund will directly support students and extend Sirkka’s vision far into the future.

The fund will give preference to students in the United States and Finland who are pursuing Finnish or Nordic studies. These fields sustain language, culture, history, and identity. At a time when such programs are increasingly rare and the cost of education continues to increase, this support will make a meaningful difference for generations of scholars.

The announcement of this fund was made during a gathering that took place in conjunction with FFN’s annual board meeting. Hosted at the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation’s Copeland Maritime Museum, the moment carried deep historical resonance. The museum is home to the Kalmar Nyckel, the ship that carried one of the first groups of settlers, including many Finns, from Sweden to the New World. Centuries later, the Finnish-American community gathered in that same place to honor a gift that will sustain its future.

FFN also received items from Sirkka’s estate following her passing. Many were liquidated, with proceeds added to the fund to further support scholarships. Select items identified as historically significant will be preserved and added to the collections of the Finnish American Heritage Center Historical Archive in Hancock, Michigan. These items include Finnish ryjiy and textiles, photographs, and some of Sirkka’s personal papers.

The Sirkka Sinervo-Dragonas Fund will become an FFN Signature Scholarship, with the first awards anticipated in 2028, our 75th anniversary year. In the years ahead, we will see the establishment of “Sirkka Scholars,” individuals whose studies and contributions will carry forward the Finnish-American connection in new and lasting ways.

Sirkka’s gift also stands as a powerful reminder of continuity. While Finlandia University is no longer in operation, its spirit endures through the values it championed, including education, heritage, and community. Through our work, across the country, with our chapter affiliates, and especially at the Finnish American Heritage Center, and nearly seven decades of scholarship support, that legacy continues.

We are deeply grateful to Sirkka for her vision and generosity. Because of her, the future of Finnish America is stronger, more connected, and full of possibility.

Kiitos, Sirkka.

Sirkka Sinervo-Dragonas

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