Finn Hollow Program featured acknowledgements to
present home owners and a talk about John Morton
By Elaine Lillback
Finnish Heritage Museum presented a program honoring both Finn Hollow Houses and John Morton last month at Zion Lutheran Center.
That night, Fairport Harbor Mayor Frank Sarosy designated May 15 as an annual holiday, which commemorates the Finn Hollow houses that occupied land now part of Finnish Heritage Museum’s hill. 
The land once owned by the Painesville and Lake Erie Dock Company is now marked by a permanent sign on the general site of ten “Finn Hollow homes” built by Finns. The land was loaned to the dockworkers on the condition that the company could reclaim the property for its own use when needed. Thus the homes were moved from the original High Street sites and now are occupied by new owners. These new owners were given honorary certificates to commemorate the original status of these homes.Bronze plaques made possible by a grant written by Laura Malkamäki from the Finlandia Foundation have already been affixed to the fronts of each of the ten houses. The houses, originally built on posts so they could be easily moved, were relocated when the PE&LE Dock Company reclaimed the loaned land on and near Fourth and High Streets.
The area was locally known as Finn Hollow but known by the Finns as the “alanko.” The early homeowners were: Hakala-Kupari, Alex Sironen, Henry Nieminen, Jacob Walli, Jacob Ranttila, A.K. Nevanpera, Gustav Hietamaki, Henry Humppi, William Hirvi and Henry Hirvi. 
Eugene and Elaine Lillback researched the story of Finn Hollow and the houses, while Elaine wrote the oral history of her mother Lempi Johanna Sironen Jutti Tikka, who was one of the first-born Finnish Americans in Finn Hollow.
Both Eugene and Lempi died in 1986 and 1987 respectively, leaving Elaine the responsibility of writing and publishing the Finn Hollow history. It was published in 2000 by Painesville Publishing Company.
Pat Spivak and Kathy Kuivinen have prepared a Finn Hollow walk that explains by word and by pictures the history of Finn Hollow. These walks are available by appointment during the summer months to FHM visitors.
The program also had Dr. Peter A. Lillback presenting a fascinating lecture about John Morton, a Finnish American and one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia in 1776. There is also a book written by Elaine Lillback called: John Morton: Forgotten Finnish American Founding Father from Finland, Pennsylvania.
Dr. Lillback is well credentialed in presenting Morton, since he is presently serving on the American-Finland Advisory Board that is researching John Morton. This group consists of 14 members from Turku and Helsinki Universities, the University of Pennsylvania, various museum groups, the Morton family, and is headed by former American ambassador to Finland, Madelyn Ware and Professor Koivusaari of the 
Genealogical Society of Turku, Finland. Dr. Lillback is completing his twentieth year as pastor at Proclamation Presbyterian in Bryn Mawr, Pa. He is also very involved with the Providence Forum and is the President of Westminster Seminary in Philadelphia.
Ailiin Saari Andrews and her committee prepared a handsome refreshment table served the many guests. Robin Reeder accompanied group singing of the national anthems, while President Heikki Penttila directed the program.
**NOTE....the following story appeared earlier this year.**
John Morton, Forgotten Finn and the Famous Finn Hollow Houses of Fairport Harbor are Featured at Special Program
The Finnish Heritage Museum proudly presents a free to the public program.
Sponsored by the Finnish Heritage Museum: Elaine Lillback, writer of Finn Hollow of Fairport, Lempi of Finn Hollow, and John Morton: Forgotten Founding Father wishes to honor the ten home owners of historically moved from dock company land in the 1900’s. Plaques acquired through a grant from Finlandia Foundation mark the 10 homes whose original site was on High Street.
Laura Malkamaki attained the funding for providing the plaques, which were installed last summer. Certificates of ownership will be presented to the owners at the meeting. Family members of present day owners and families of the past are invited. The museum staff is providing refreshments. Admission is free. A donation will be taken for the museum. President Heikki Penttila will preside.
Elaine Lillback shows her book at left.
Dr. Peter Lillback, who is founder of the Proclamation Presbyterian Church in Bryn Mawr, PA, currently the President of the Westmister Theological Seminary, and the Executive Director of the Providence Forum will give the keynote address.
Dr. Lillback will discuss John Morton: forgotten Finnish American founding father From Finland, Pennsylvania and relate the history of why and how Finns came to America in 1638, and why they specifically settled in Delaware and Pennsylvania.
Further, he relates that John Morton became involved In the development of the American Republic, discuss his life as a Pennsylvania representative, judge, and finally, but most importantly, reveal that Morton was the last delegate to sign the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia.
Lillback graduated from Cedarville University, the Dallas Theological Seminary, and the Westminster Theological Seminary earning his Ph.D.
He has written many books and journal articles. His bestseller is George Washington’s Sacred Fire.
A worldwide lecturer, Lillback Is presently involved with writing about John Morton with a 14 member advisory board in Finland. He also has done annual teaching conferences at universities in Korea,
The program will feature the recognition of the present owners of the historic Finn Hollow houses, which were moved from the dock company land in the 1900’s. Plaques acquired through a grant written by Laura Malkamaki from the Finlandia Foundation were mounted on the 10 Finn Hollow Houses last summer and a large sign in the village park next to the museum identifies the site of the Finn Hollow area.
On this night certificates of ownership will be presented to the owners. Family members of present day owners and families of the past are invited. Admission is free but donations will be accepted. The museum members will provide refreshments afterward.
Presented here is a listing of the original owners and present owners of the famous Finn Hollow Houses.
