Wolkoff House Museum
Etelä-Karjala
Wolkoff House Museum is a historic wooden merchant's house located at the corner of Kauppakatu and Ainonkatu streets in Lappeenranta, Finland. Built in 1826, with an additional wing added in 1905, it was owned by the Russian-origin Wolkoff family from 1872 until 1986. The house was donated to the city and opened as a museum in 1993, preserving the family's living environment and traditions. Visitors explore the house through guided tours that start from the museum shop, called Wolkoffin puoti, which occupies the former store space. The museum interior remains as it was when donated, featuring rooms such as the women's cabinet, bedrooms, men’s study, dining room, children’s room, and kitchen. Seasonal guided tours are offered during Easter and Christmas, highlighting Orthodox customs, traditional Easter delicacies like baba and kulitsa, and the Wolkoff family’s festive celebrations, including a fully decorated Christmas tree reaching the ceiling. The museum is part of the Lappeenranta museums network, alongside the South Karelia Museum, Lappeenranta Art Museum, and Cavalry Museum.
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Astuce: Visitors should book guided tours in advance, as all tours begin from the Wolkoffin puoti museum shop. The best times to visit are during Easter and Christmas when special themed tours and traditional celebrations take place. Discounts may be available for groups or seniors. The museum's opening hours and contact details can be confirmed by phone. Comfortable footwear is recommended as the tour covers the house's various rooms on the ground floor.
Faits intéressants
- •Ivan Wolkoff was not only a merchant but also served as the churchwarden for the Lappeenranta Orthodox Pokrova Church from the 1860s until his death in 1900.
- •The museum preserves traditional Orthodox Easter customs, including the serving of special delicacies like baba and kulitsa during Easter tours.
- •The Wolkoff family shop, now Wolkoffin puoti, was originally the commercial heart of the house, where business was conducted from the courtyard side during the Claudelin era.
Histoire
The Wolkoff House was originally built in 1826 by merchant Jacob Claudelin as a wooden merchant's mansion.
In 1872, Ivan Wolkoff, originally from Yaroslavl, Russia, purchased the house and became a Finnish citizen, enabling official ownership.
Ivan Wolkoff was a notable local figure, operating a general store in the house and serving as the churchwarden of the Orthodox Pokrova Church from the 1860s until 1900.
The house remained in the Wolkoff family for over a century, passed down through several generations until the family donated it to the city in 1986 for museum purposes.
It opened to the public in 1993, preserving the family's legacy and the building's historical architecture.
Guide du lieu
Women's Cabinet and Bedroom19th century
A preserved area showcasing the private quarters used by the women of the Wolkoff family, decorated to reflect 19th-century domestic life.
Men's Study and Dining Room19th century
Spaces used by the male members of the family for work and dining, highlighting the social and business life within the house.
Children's Room and Kitchen19th century
Rooms illustrating family life with children's furnishings and a traditional kitchen setup from the period.
Wolkoffin Puoti Museum Shop19th century
The former general store of the Wolkoff family, now serving as the museum's shop and starting point for guided tours.
Contact
Téléphone: 05 6162258