In 2019, a fire almost completely destroyed the Kiep of the Kokkola Natural History Museum. Now, a new part has been built in place of the burned part, respecting the old one, and the part that suffered less was renewed from the inside.
The reconstruction of the Kiep of the Kokkola Museum of Natural Sciences, which burned down in 2019, has come a long way. The furnishing of the premises and the arrangement of the exhibits are already nearing completion.
– The office side was quickly furnished, but as far as the showrooms are concerned, everything was delayed, says Mäenpää.
– We were also supposed to have a conservator help us, but he has been so busy that we have had to do his work alone, says Passoja.
Opening to the public will have to wait until next year.
– Yes, this will still take months, says Passoja.
Veikon Salkio’s point of view is respected
The bases for the animals in the natural history museum are built from moss and grass with their own hands. Natural materials have already been collected during the past summer. They are attached to the base with an erikeeper, as Veikko Salkiok once did.
Salkio (1912 – 2006) was a great friend of nature, nature photographer and guardian of nature reserves. The Nature Museum founded in Kokkola in 1982 was based on his collections.
– The work requires precision and patience, but we respect Veiko’s vision, says Mari Mäenpää.
– We believe we know what Veikko would have wanted, says Merja Passoja.
The collection is photographed and cataloged
Mari Mäenpää says that now the natural history museum’s collections are being photographed. It’s never been done before. The photographer captures birds, mammals and minerals.
– Putting the minerals on display is quite fast, because they have been checked after the fire, says Mäenpää.
However, all the name tags have to be renewed, because the smoke from the fire damaged them.
Animals in their own habitats
A large-scale diorama for moose is planned for Kieppi. In it, the moose are placed in a cube in their own kind of habitat.
– The deer’s antlers will have their own diorama, says Passoja.
Cucumbers are also on display.
– The birds have been lightly cleaned and new platforms have been made for them, says Mäenpää.
The fishing equipment exhibition includes nets and traps, but some of the fishing equipment has been destroyed.
-Half of these traps were destroyed or lost in a fire.
Merja Passoja says that the vibration and noise of the road repair work outside has disturbed the renovation work.
– Let’s hope the butterflies’ antennae don’t fall off, says Passoja.