Snellman House
Listen to Tales of Tar-Snellman House
The Oulu-born businessman, shipowner, steam sawmill owner and tar merchant Johan Wilhelm Gerhardsson Snellman moved into this building with his family in the 1840s. Snellman’s father-in-law, Herman Enbom, the father of his wife Jeanette, had lived there previously.
Fame and fortune did not simply fall into Snellman’s lap. Born in Suomussalmi, Johan Wilhelm was orphaned at the age of 12. Moving to Kokkola, he made a living as a shop assistant before taking to the seas at 16. He may have made the best deal of his life in 1840, in marrying the lovely Jeanette.
The Snellmans had a love-filled marriage and a close-knit family with nine children, even though the large brood caused its fair share of worries. Daughter Hanna, sent off to study in Helsinki at the age of 13, passed away at just 29 years of age after years of ill health. Eldest son Janne, in turn, had such a good time while on a study trip to Germany that he ended up in prison.
The Snellmans built an extension to their home on Kirkkokatu in 1851, because besides their growing family it needed to accommodate the firm’s shop and office. Around the courtyard were the stables, the male and female servants’ quarters, and a large kitchen. Wealthy bourgeois households like the Snellmans’ could have as many as ten domestic employees.
The new south wing included an attic, where J. W. Snellman is said to have taken refuge to fret over his troubles. The attic also had a viewpoint, from which the goings-on at the port of Toppila could be observed with a telescope. Were they Snellman’s own frigate Toivo’s sails on the horizon? They were feverishly expected, as Snellman’s son Wille, who had been appointed captain of the ship, was unwilling to return home and came up with years’ worth of excuses to return to Asia. Master Wille was so enthralled with Asian food that he even had an onboard Asian cook.
During the Snellmans’ time, passers-by could often enjoy music being played by the women in the family. Peeking through a window, they might also see knitting needles fly and embroidery needles diving into fine decorative work. Handicrafts were diligently made, especially as Christmas gifts for friends and family. The scent of baking would often waft from an open kitchen window, as the thousands of ship’s biscuits taken on the trading firm’s vessels were made in the same kitchen as the family’s meals.
Sources:
Isoaho-Nousiainen, Riikka 2019: “Säätyläistyttö, sivistys ja sosiaaliset siteet: oululainen Hanna Snellman opintiellä Helsingissä 1850-luvulla”. Ennen ja nyt 2019/4.
Kovalainen, Kauko 2006: Stiftelsen Alma och K. A. Snellman Säätiö 1921–2004.
Pohjamo, Ulla 2003: Kesä salmessa – porvarillista huvilakulttuuria Oulun Toppilansalmessa. (Pro gradu thesis)
Photo: Museum of Northern Ostrobothnia collection. J. W. Snellman family photo from 1861.
Address
Snellmanin talo, Albertinkatu 8, Oulu, 90100
Tales of Tar
Welcome to the golden era of the tar trade!
Tales of Tar from Oulu
The cultural-historical Tales of Tar route takes you to authentic tar trade locations in different parts of Oulu through the short stories written by author Katariina Vuori. The stories are based on authentic locations, events and persons from the golden era of the tar trade in Oulu. You can listen to or read the fascinating stories on your phone.
In the 1800s tar export made Oulu a buzzing international seaside market town. Tar produced in Finland, and mostly shipped from Oulu, kept most of the sailing boats floating in Europe and beyond. This significant time in Oulu history is filled with stories, events, and destinies.
Katariina Vuori, the author of the stories, says she loves the waterways and the maritime feel of Oulu and Northern Ostrobothnia – the coast is unique, unassuming and slightly rag-ged, often hidden behind shrubbery along the waterline.
“It was fascinating to get to explore, through these tar-scented stories, the way in which waterways have influenced local history, the city’s growth and people’s lives, everyone from commoners to the high and mighty. The tar hegemony involved much more than mere glamour and oriental spices – there was pain, disappointment, and even personal tragedies in the mix,” says the author about the project.
The Tales of Tar route starts from the boundary of Leveri and ends in Toppila harbour. However, each story is independent and can be experienced in any order.
Stories: Katariina Vuori
Translation in English: Eva Malkki
Voice: Sami Lalou
Sound design: Pasi Alatalo
Photos: Finnish Agency of Heritage
Production and implementation: Oulu Culture Foundation
The main funder: Council of Oulu Region
© Oulu Culture Foundation
Tales of Tar from around the Oulujoki river
The Tales of Tar route continues along the Oulujoki river with three stories centred around the events that took place in Muhos, Utajärvi and Vaala. You can find the stories by following the digital map of the Tales of Tar route. You can also read the stories on this website.
The Oulujoki river stories have been realised by Rokua UNESCO Global Geopark/Humanpolis Oy as part of the project “Geoparks – attractive sustainable travel destinations”, which is funded by the European Union’s Regional Development Fund and the Finnish Government.
Photos: Finnish Agency of Heritage
The stories are available in English, Finnish, Easy Finnish, and Swedish.