Things to do in Lapland, Finland: The Best History Museums

The buildings on Pöykkölä farm date from the end of the 1800’s and are built on the shores of the River Kemijoki. Open: June-August. At other times by arrangement.

Salla Museum of War and Reconstruction is located in a building that was originally made 1948 for railway workers and their families. The Museum's exhibition tells about the history of Salla municipality which was known as Kuolajärvi until year 1936. Salla was involved in the Second World War (1939–1944) and suffered heavy destructions. An enormous effort was made to rebuild the municipality – by the year 1950 nearly 400 new farms, many schools and a church were built.

Open your eyes to the Arctic! Arktikum is a science centre and museum that lets you experience northern nature, culture, and history up close. Housing the University of Lapland’s Arctic Centre and the Regional Museum of Lapland, we stimulate thought, encourage debate, and provide a deeper understanding of the Arctic. See, explore and enjoy the Arctic stories shared through our experiential exhibitions and events! Arktikum Cafe serves daily lunch and great selection of northern delights. Arktikum Shop offers high-quality Lappish products and souvenirs.

When looking for something different and interesting activity in Rovaniemi, welcome to the Forestry Museum of Laplands unique stage for history. It is the only museum in the world that tells a story of Lapland's great logging era extending from 1870's all the way through to machine operated forestry of 1960's-1970's. In the wooded museum area there are genuine logging cabins, logging tools, timber floating tools and forestry machines on display. Forest cabins and other buildings have been transferred to the museum's location from various parts of Lapland and all the cabins, stables and saunas have their own interesting history. Also the items on display have their own story: one of the most interesting and impressive items on the museum's ground is Sandberg's steam locomotive that was perhaps the first of its kind used on machine operated logging sites in Finland. Open 1.9. - 28.12.2018 fri-sat, 09am - 3pm

The museum illustrates life in the house and outbuildings of a wealthy farmer a hundred years ago. The collection consists of rural dwellers’ artefacts from the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century. The empire-style main building from the 1840s stands in its original location and has been furnished in traditional local rural style.

The Local History Museum of the Posio Municipality is located on the southern shores of Lake Kitkajarvi in the village of Lohiranta - a place worth a visit for its cultural environment and landscapes. The grounds of the museum hold the Lohi-Paatalo main building built in 1895 as well as the stables and a small barn. Most of the objects in the museum have been made between 1850–1940.