Kollaa and Simo Häyhä Museum

The Kollaa and Simo Häyhä Museum began in the early 1980s when Kollaa veterans from Rautjärvi decided to establish a museum to pass on their legacy to future generations. After many twists and difficulties, the so-called Kollaa rooms could be opened on the upper floor of the former infirmary building in the barracks area in 1984. Active participants in the museum's operations reformed the museum for Finland's 100th anniversary of independence in 2017, when the museum transitioned to its current mode of operation. Regular opening hours and the expansion of exhibitions became part of its activities. At the same time, valuable volunteer support for daily operations was received from the reservists and reserve officers of Rautjärvi. It can be said that now it is the third or fourth generation continuing to carry forward the legacy left by the men of Rautjärvi.

Annually, nearly 8,000 visitors from all over the world visit the museum.

The museum's operations are run entirely by the work of active volunteers. We do not receive state support; the municipality is involved by owning the buildings and taking care of electricity and other fees. In addition, the municipality arranges summer jobs for schoolchildren at the museum, and Osuuspankki has also supported the activities in a valuable way, for example, by financing summer job positions for schoolchildren at the museum.

Guided tours can be arranged for groups, in Finnish and/or English, orders preferably by email to info@kollaamuseo.fi.