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The Infantry Museum is located near downtown Mikkeli in the old barrack area,
which has been preserved in almost its original condition and scope. The
barrack area was built according to the plans of Architects E. B. Lohrmann and
A. Boman at the end of the 19th century. Eleven clapboard log buildings are
part of the ensemble of wood buildings that have been built in a uniform way.
The area also has other buildings and parks with birches growing. The Infantry
Museum has three wood barracks at its disposal.
The museum, which was established in 1982, is run by the Infantry
Foundation. The artefacts in the collection have been donated by private
individuals. In addition, the museum has artefacts it has borrowed from the
Military Museum on display. The museum’s diverse exhibitions provide a
comprehensive picture of the history of Finland’s infantry. They depict the
life of a soldier on both the battlefield and in peacetime in the barracks and
on the drill ground. The museum also hosts special collections on a temporary
basis.
The main building has an exhibition on the infantry of Independent
Finland on display. A display of the army arming itself and events in the 20th
century that occurred during the Independence, Winter, Continuation and
Lapland Wars. The museum artefacts are supplemented by black-and-white and
colour photographs and dioramas of the Battles of Tuulos and Ihantala.
The second building has a permanent exhibition entitled ”The Savo Military
Tradition” and exhibitions of the history of the canteen and of the activities
of the peacekeepers. Also on display are a cannon from the end of the 18th
century and 300 years of soldiers’ uniforms used in Finland.
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