Originally built in 1916, the Finn Hall in Washington State was a lending library for immigrants from Finland. The original Finn Hall burned down. Finn Halls (or Finnish halls) were the names given to the cultural centers for Finnish immigrants to the United States and Canada.
The historical marker is inside a five-acre park where the original hall was located.
Historical Marker Inscription
In 1916 Finnish immigrants constructed a hall near site under the name of a literary association (Kirjallisuus Seura), forming a lending library. Although they brought their diet, language, and saunas with them, some old country beliefs were left behind. These people found it necessary to meet where they could study the social customs of their new country, challenge and question partisan politics, and reflect on new insights. At this cultural center were held language classes, meetings, athletic activities, wedding dances, funerals and programs with oratory, drama, poetry, vocal and instrumental music. Steaming kettles of coffee and the warmth of dignified waltzes, pulsating polkas and schottisches brought togetherness to these rugged individualists.
Life to them was involvement.
Erected By
Descendants and friends of Finnish Settlers
Woodland Bicentennial Committee
Washington State Highways Commission
Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
Cowlitz County Parks and Recreation Dept.
Location
45° 56’ 36.630” N, 122° 41’ 34.908” W
Old Lewis River Rd, Woodland, WA 98674, United States
Historical Markers of the World 