Discovering our Heritage of Finnish Log Construction
Everyone loves a log cabin! For most, it has become the symbol of the frontier. But how many know where it came from or how its built?
For Finns, it’s much more. The log cabin is the icon of our Heritage. It was the mainstay dwelling of the Finns who ventured to the New Sweden Colony in 1638-55 and again during the North American “great migration” in 1890-1920.
During that migration into the US and Canada, many nationalities, including the Finnish, built log cabins. However, unlike the hastily stacked log shelters by others, the Finns built log houses, saunas and other structures which were carefully crafted in the Finnish vernacular style. Using techniques learned over centuries in the snow cold Nordic regions, these craftsmen practiced what is now a “lost art.”
Utilizing powerpoint and an actual demonstration, Frank Eld describes Finnish log style construction, its history and uniqueness.
Frank has traveled extensively, researching and documenting original Finnish log construction in the US, Canada and Finland. He founded a museum in Roseberry, Idaho which includes 8 Finnish log structures preserved among its 25 buildings.
Frank has written one book, Finnish Log Construction-The Art, and is researching a second on the subject. A retired educator and businessman, Frank devotes his time researching, writing, consulting and preservation. “My mission to to educate others on our unique Finnish Heritage of log building and encouraging its preservation.”
Date & Time
October 9, 2018
7:00PM - 8:30PM
Location
North House Folk School - Grand Marais, MN - 500 W Highway 61, PO Box 759, Grand Marais, MN, 55604