It’s no secret that we live in an ever-modernizing world. Technology, transportation, and communication have all undoubtedly changed by leaps and bounds over the course of the last century. But there’s something to be said for taking a step back and remembering a calmer time in America — a time when agriculture, farming, and quietude reigned supreme. Luckily for Michiganders, our state is home to a one-of-a-kind attraction that will sweep you back to a simpler era.

The Hanka Homestead Finnish Museum, sometimes known as the Hanka Farm, is located in the town of Pelkie, Baraga County, in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
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The farm was founded by a group of Finnish immigrants who arrived in Michigan around 1896. As a designated U.S. National Historic Site, it draws in scores of visitors each year.
Facebook/Hanka Homestead
Members of the Hanka family built the farm and its eleven buildings by hand.
Facebook/Hanka Homestead
In total, the homestead covers 40 acres of land and features everything from a farmhouse to a traditional sauna to full blacksmith shop. Each building was carefully constructed from locally sourced lumber.
Facebook/Hanka Homestead

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Throughout the years, small renovations have taken place to help the homestead retain its original features — so visiting the farm offers visitors a genuine look at what life must have been like for the Hanka family.
Facebook/Hanka Homestead
A tour of the Hanka homestead serves as a fascinating and unique look at what Michigan’s agricultural economy was like during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Facebook/Hanka Homestead
The farm is also significant in its multiple homages to Finnish/European heritage and architecture. The Hanka family worked tirelessly to integrate their Finnish traditions into their new life in the Great Lakes State.
Facebook/Hanka Homestead
For history buffs, Europhiles, and curious explorers, a tour of the Hanka Homestead Finnish Museum is an absolute must-see while visiting Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
TripAdvisor/Jan R.

Tell us: have you had the chance to visit the Hanka Homestead? What struck you most about the differences between modern life and the experiences of settlers on Michigan’s agricultural frontier?

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