Hull's Finnish migration links marked with plaque and touring exhibition

Kingston upon Hull played an important role in the movement of some
400 000 Finns emigrating to a new life in North America between 1891 and 1924.  

To mark the large-scale transmigration and the shared history, Pekka Huhtaniemi, Ambassador of Finland, visited Hull for the opening of a touring exhibition at Hull History Centre and unveiled a commemorative plaque at the city's Maritime Buildings. Ambasssador also gave an opening speech at the event. You can read it here.

It is said that about 95% of the Finns heading to North America and further afield passed through Hull. The migration was focused on particular times of the year: for example in the first week of June up to ten thousand Finns could arrive to the city in just two days.

There was even a special platform at the railway station just for the migrants to catch trains to ports for the Atlantic passage. The popular ports included Liverpool, Southampton and Glasgow.

The exhibition at the Hull History Centre explores this passage of Finnish emigrants through pictures and vivid stories and runs until 7th June. After this, the touring exhibition will be displayed in London, Southampton and America. The commemorative plaque can be found by Hull's Maritime Buildings on Alfred Gelder Street.

More information:

Hull History Centre 
Estuary TV News 
Speech by Pekka Huhtaniemi, Ambassador of Finland