300 years of the Sederholm family in Helsinki
The City Museum goes back to the 1700s by celebrating the Sederholm family who settled in Helsinki 300 years ago. Events that familiarise visitors with the Helsinki of the era are available for all ages, from lectures, fashion, sword fighting and dance to arts and crafts. Admission is free to all events.
In 1722, Stockholm-born Erik Sederholm ended up in Helsinki with his wife after many colourful years, and became a customs officer at the port. His son, Johan Sederholm, who was born the same year became the richest merchant in Helsinki. A stone house built by him in 1757 is still standing at the corner of Senate Square as the oldest in the city. Nowadays, Sederholm’s house is Children’s Town and an integral part of the Helsinki City Museum, which extends into the neighbouring houses.
A rare 300-year anniversary in Helsinki gives an opportunity to showcase 1700s lifestyle and life in the city for museum visitors of all ages. You can already get into the 1700s spirit during the autumn holiday week, 17–23 October 2022, with daily workshops at 12:00–15:00. During the workshops, children can craft party accessories fit for the era. Paper wigs and cardboard masks are crafted in the City Museum’s workshop facility, Falkman Wing, where you will also learn about beauty spot language. Colouring pages are available for the youngest members of the family. The following week, 24–30 October 2022, people will craft their own 1700s merchant ships from paper in the crystal hall of Children’s Town.
On Wednesday 26 October 2022, Johan Sederholm’s 300-year anniversary, a bilingual lecture will be held in the City Museum’s lobby at 16:00–19:00. The lecture topics include how the Sederholm family settled in Helsinki, Johan Sederholm’s businesses as well as Helsinki cityscape, residents, music and culture. 1700s-style pastries can be sampled during the intermission.
The celebrations reach a grand finale on Saturday 29 October 2022 at 13:00–16:00 in the City Museum with the Merchant’s Banquet family event. The hustle and bustle of the celebrations will be filled with swishing skirts, colourful waistcoats, shiny shoe buckles and curly wigs. Attend fashion, fan and sword fighting shows, craft a glittery masquerade mask, twirl around in the ballroom, meet a couple of sales representatives showcasing new products of the era, and congratulate Johan Sederholm who turns 300 and will make an appearance amongst the guests himself.
Don a mask and straighten your wig
Mon–Sun 17–23 October 2022 at 12:00–15:00 (Falkman Wing)
Load the ship! self-guided workshop
Mon–Sun 24–30 October 2022 at 11:00–17:00 (Children’s Town)
Sederholm 300 Lecture
Wed 26 October 2022 at 16:00–19:00
Merchant’s birthday bash for children and the young at heart
Sat 29 October 2022 at 13:00–16:00
Admission is free to all events.
Further information:
www.helsinginkaupunginmuseo.fi/en/events
