Things to do in Hiiu County, Hiiu County: The Best Museums

The history of Sooaare farm, that was itsoirignal name, dates back at least for 200 years. The oldest part of the cottage-cum threshing barn originates from the first half of XIX century, it's a threshing barn room with soilfloor and people used to live there and also dry crop in the autumn. Living room with chambers was built in the second half of XIX century.Smoke sauna, paargu or better known as summer kitchen, storehouse, cellar, coach house and victualler (former cowshed) are all part of the Farm Museum. There are also remains of an old dug well. In all buildings there are expositions of archaic tools and commodities.Soera was a typical XIX century Hiiu household.

The museum managed by the Hiiumaa Military History Society is located in Tahkuna. The crown jewel of the exposition is the BB-316 cannon barrel from the Tahkuna Kukeraba battery. The museum exposition covers Hiiumaa’s coastal defence structures, armaments, and ammunition. In a barracks atmosphere, visitors can examine surveillance and communications equipment. There is a reconstruction of a border strip in the yard.The armament collection is still modest. In the diesel house, there is a generator ready to start up. Simple fuel drums also comprise a collection: a riveted drum from the beginning of the last century, from the German Wehrmacht and Finnish Lentojoukut, as well as a Russian armament oil drum.

The centre of the Hiiumaa Museum. Popularly known as the Long House (the longest wooden house in Kardla, over 60 m), the building was constructed in the 1830s as the residence for the directors of the Hiiu-Kardla Cloth Factory. It has been home to several generations of Ungern-Sternbergs and Peltzers. During the Soviet period, the building was used by various agencies.The Long House includes workrooms and offices, depositories, a library, concert and exhibition halls. In addition to the story of the development of Kardla and the factory, a factory worker’s residence is on display. Various short-term exhibitions are also organized year- round.

The house, built in 1839, that is located in Kaina is one of the oldest small town residences in Estonia. The composer and organist Rudolf Tobias, the founder of Estonian serious music, was born in this house on May 29, 1873 as the second child into the large family of parish clerk and organist Johannes Tobias. His first music studies and attempts at composing took place between these walls. The family left Hiiumaa in 1885, when Rudolf was 12 years old. The exposition in the composer’s birthplace provides a detailed overview of Tobias’s live and work. Rudolf Tobias’s music plays in the background as the visitors move about the house.

Soru Museum is located in Emmaste township, Parna village and belongs in the complex of the Seaside centre.