Ruth Michaelson Ojala Visit 06-10-12 (formerly married to George Hanka)
Ruth Ojala (maiden name Michaelson formerly married to George Hanka) visited the homestead (Oscar Heikkinen was the guide that day) with her daughter Sherrie and Sherrie’s husband. Ruth was the first manager of the homestead during its initial restoration process. Ruth was in good health and mind and looked over the sauna and house in which she gave a good deal of insight and her knowledge based on being married in the Hanka family for a time.
To begin with she mentioned the stones that appear in a row similar to a foundation adjacent to the orchard on its north side. She said this was possibly the graves of the 3 Hanka boys who died before 1910 and are listed in the book “Askel Means Step”. She wasn’t sure and had no other corroborative evidence and felt they may have died elsewhere but were moved there. This is a supposition on her part but plausible.
If the stones are looked at more closely one can see 3 sets of stones arranged in rectangular rings with rounded corners.
This bench with low sides protruding above the bench is located up stairs. She described this as a work bench of Herman Hanka for making “sypäs” or shoe pack.
In the house upstairs next to the sypäs hanging on the partition wall and shoe making tools is cardboard pattern hanging on the wall. This was probably a pattern used by Herman Hanka.
The pair of sypäs (boots) were not made by Herman.
This cooking cabinet was removed and returned to the house on restoration.
This pie safe cabinet was in pieces in the barn and was restored.
The sink is thought to be authentic to the house. The pump is also.
This stove is original to the house. It required restoration and was tried but the paint was not high temperature and Ruth said it smelled and burned off. The kitchen stove is not original to the house. The stove at the time of Jalmer’s death was more modern and did not fit in.
This bed located downstairs is original.
This dresser is original to the house. Built in the 1890’s. The top right drawer has a date of 1890 on it.
A little noticed item of interest is seen from looking from the stairway at the roof. A sewing thread spool serves as a gripping handle for an access door to hand things through. Apples were dried on the roof and were handed through this opening by the mother to a daughter who was on the roof.
Looking straight up from the stairway.
Another item made by Nik Hanka and has his initials painted on it is a desk. It is located upstairs against the log partition wall.
There is also a table upstairs that appears to have Nick Hanka’s initials cut into it “NIIKA”.
------by Oscar Heikkinen------
------Edited by Edwin 'Bill' Raisanen------
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