Finnish Culture and History Celebrated
Finnish Culture was celebrated Sunday afternoon when the historic Kaleva Hall in Virginia marked a major milestone for one of the country’s most historiclly significant and well-preserved Finnish-American meeting halls.
The event was hosted by the Virginia Ladies and Knights of Kaleva and featured a historical video presentation by Dave Sipola that explained the hall’s long history. Members wearing traditional Finnish clothing were also on hand to lead tours to see the Kaleva Halls’ distinctive historic Finnish interiors and exterior architecture.
No Birthday would be complete without a birthday meal and organizers didn’t fall down on the job with birthday cake, Finnish pulla (cardamoom sweet bread) along with Kahvi (coffee) being served.
The hall was originally built in 1006 and served for decades as a temperance hall operated by the Valon Tuote (Product of Light) Society. It hosted an ice cream parlor and candy store in its early years and was the main social center for the area’s Finnish immigrants in the 1910’s and 1920’s.
Membership declined after probation was overturned until it was sold to the Knights and Ladies of Kaleva in 1968.
The hall is listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 and during the 1980’s work was performed to restore it to the original look. It represents a vital social, educational, and cultural anchor for the region’s prominent Finnish-American immigrant community throughout the 20th century.
The Hall is currently maintained and operated by the Knights and Ladies of Kaleva, who frequently host fundraisers, cultural events, and heritage gatherings.
Ladies of Kaleva member Janet Eichholz said that “We are proud of our Finnish background, shared language and culture tied to Finland.”
While the Kaleva hall’s purpose is to preserve Finnish culture and history, Eichholz said that being Finnish isn’t necessary for membership.
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