Finnish Heritage Society Sovittaja

Fast Facts

1895 - Finnish Temperance Society Sovittaja (FTSS) established in Worcester, MA; name Sovittaja ("peace maker") chosen to unite the fractionalized Finnish immigrant community

1926 - Land purchased in Rutland, MA, athletic field cleared and summer dance hall built; small lots on Demond Pond sold to FTSS members to build summer cottages and saunas

1969 - FTSS reorganized into the Finnish American Club of Rutland (FACR); first annual chicken barbecue event held and first ever scholarship recipients announced

1994 - Strength in Diversity: Worcester's Finnish Community: A Collection of Photographs and Recollections published in collaboration with the Worcester Historical Museum

1997 - FACR reorganized into the Finnish Heritage Society Sovittaja (FHSS); non-profit status gained

2006 - FHSS becomes a chapter member of the Finlandia Foundation

2009 - Sovittaja New Activities Committee (SNAC) is established to put the FHSS online, host the new Finnish Kaleidoscope and brainstorm new events

Past Presidents

1969-1970   Toivo (Dave) Lyra
1971-1972   Walter Kauppila
1973-1974   Henry Hirvi
1975           Dave Salmonson
1976-1977   Elmer Suomu
1978           Armas Jarvi
1979-1980   Raymond Kauppila
1981-1982   Barry Heiniluoma
1983-1985   Auli Lyra
1986-2003   Barry Heinilouma
2004-2008   Anita Mattson

2009            --

2010            Barry Heiniluoma

1994 FACR Publication

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