Hanka Homestead Museum - Museum in Baraga - 13249 Hanka, USA

The Hanka Homestead Finnish Museum is located on its original site in Askel, Michigan and was homesteaded in 1896 by the Finnish immigrant family headed by Herman Hanka. The farm is a eight-building, 40 acre outdoor/open door museum that tells the story of how immigrant families, using their skills, knowledge, and background, were able to survive and thrive in the wilderness of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan despite setbacks and minimal resources. In a world where most people are far removed from their historical foundations, it provides a window into what people had to do to make a life for them, and enriches our understanding of the lives of many of our forebears. The Homestead relates the story of how events at a national level (the Homestead Act of 1862) affected the lives and opportunities available for ordinary people of many nationalities, in this instance the Finnish immigrant and the immigrant family of Herman Hanka. The Hanka story also tells about the connection between the copper mines, the miners and the conditions in the mines, and what happened to those miners who were injured on the job. The Hanka Homestead was restored beginning in the early 1980's by volunteers under the leadership of Superior Restorations, Alan Pape, President; all of whom had the insight to realize that this “diamond in the rough” would be invaluable for informing future generations of life and living conditions in the era of the 1920’s. The museum opened to the public in 1985 and is a cooperating Heritage Site of the Keweenaw National Historical Park. In addition, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. This Homestead is one of the few historical sites in the state that has been restored on the original location with many of its original artifacts. The museum is owned and operated by the all-volunteer Hanka Homestead Finnish Museum Association.

What a hidden gem that exemplifies how our ancestors settled and survived and built a homestead that we can view and then imagine how the Hanka family prospered and built a life for themselves. Collette and Ed where phenomenial in their dedication to guide us during our visit.

Beautiful place with lots of history. Closed when I drove in but they let me walk around and take some beautiful fall pictures.

Going back in time in an extremely special place with passionate and knowledgeable volunteers!!! Thanks to Kathleen Ernst and the Hanka Homestead volunteers for a meaningful day!

I could not give this place a better review than 5 stars but it deserves a Ten. Our guide was awesome, she was extremely insightful and was one of the highlights of our trip! Outstanding job, please tip her well.

We love this Homestead! It's just a wonderful place to demonstrate blacksmithing!

The day we visited it wasn't open but you could still walk around and see everything that's there. It was pretty impressive but would like to go back when the people are there who demonstrate, educate and be able to go inside some of the other buildings that were closed.

Authentic untouched Finnish farm near Baraga and Pelkie. Makes you realize how lucky we have it now .