In the late 1800s, large numbers of Finns settled in Hancock, drawn by the jobs in mining and lumber.[2] One of those immigrants was J. K. Nikander, a pastor of the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (commonly known as the Suomi Synod). Nikander wanted to ensure that Finnish Lutheran ministers would be available in America, staving off the loss of Finnish identity in the population.[2] In 1896, Nikander founded a new institution, Suomi College. Suomi's mission was to train Lutheran ministers and to teach English.[2]
The first building of Suomi College was Old Main; it was constructed using plans drawn by architect Charles Archibald Pearce.[2] The firm of Bajari & Ulseth was contracted to perform the carpentry work, and William Scott for the stonework.[3] The total cost of the building was $40,000.[2] The cornerstone of the building was laid on May 30, 1898, and the building was dedicated on January 21, 1900.[2]
Suomi quickly outgrew Old Main, and an additional frame building housing a gym, meeting hall and music center was constructed in 1901.[2] In the 1920s, Suomi's mission shifted and it became primarily a liberal arts college.[2] In 1958, the seminary separated from the rest of the college.[2] In 2000, Suomi changed its name to Finlandia University.
Description
Old Main is a four-story Richardsonian Romanesque building constructed from rough Jacobsville sandstone, which was quarried at the Portage Entry of the Keweenaw waterway. It has a gabled roof with wall dormers.[3] The main entrance is surmounted by an arch, with a large bay window and tower above.[2] Heavy buttresses divide the windows and support the tower.[3] The rear is relatively devoid of ornamentation.[3] The building originally contained everything required for the young college: a dormitory, kitchen, and laundry, as well as classrooms, offices, a library, chapel, and lounge.[2] As Suomi changed, Old Main was used for multiple purposes; however, little alteration of the exterior was required.[2] From 2009 - 2023 the building housed administrative offices such as Financial Aid, Admissions, and the Office of Student Accounts.[4] Finlandia University closed in 2023 and Old Main was sold at auction to a private party in January 2024. [5]
