History
Majakka Hall is a former Finnish Temperance Hall, currently home to the DeKalb Area Women’s Center in DeKalb, Illinois. Finnish immigrants laid the cornerstone for the building in 1917 and the building was completed and dedicated in 1918.
The building was used as a space for the Majakka Temperance Society and their related activities, such as meetings, plays, dances, musical performances and gymnastics. The Temperance society also sponsored a lending library in the balcony of the Hall and in the basement, a cafeteria for workers from the nearby factories.
The building was used as a space for the Majakka Temperance Society and their related activities, such as meetings, plays, dances, musical performances and gymnastics. The Temperance society also sponsored a lending library in the balcony of the Hall and in the basement, a cafeteria for workers from the nearby factories.
Organized as early as 1901, the Majakka (Lighthouse) Temperance Society played an important role in nation-wide Finnish Temperance activities. A 'Peace Meeting' between Temperance factions met in DeKalb in 1908. Many state-wide events were held at the building. The photo on the left is of a meeting with state-wide representatives standing on the Majakka Hall front porch steps. Due to the historic significance of the building and the contribution of the Finns to the City of DeKalb, in 2013 the bid for local landmark status was approved by the DeKalb City Council.
The Preservation project & the Temperance HaLL
In 2014 we received financial assistance from several organizations and individuals allowing preservation of the Majakka Hall to begin. The project to preserve this Finnish Temperance Hall will be accomplished in several phases. The first and second phases were for stabilization of the building with a focus on repairing and preventing water damage to the structure. Phases following this will include window restoration, painting and interior restoration work. To learn more visit the Restoration Details section of the website.
This photo on the right features the magnificent Majakka Hall stage. In front of the stage from right to left, Micki Chulick of DeKalb County Community Foundation presents a check to Anna Marie Coveny, Director of DeKalb Area Women’s Center. Diane Rodgers, NIU Associate Professor of Sociology and Lucy Sosa, NIU Sociology graduate student look on. Please click on Updates page above to see the continued progress!
Historic restoration is being achieved because of the following generous donors:
Landmarks Illinois
Finnish-American Society of the Midwest (Chapter of Finlandia Foundation)
DeKalb County Community Foundation (DCCF)
Kishwaukee Kiwanis
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
Tom's Own Maintenance Services
Gordon Hardware
Barbed Corners Antique Club
And these wonderful individuals who have donated during the May Give Local DCCF and DeKalb County Nonprofit Partnership (DCNP) campaigns of 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 or during other times:
Sally and Oscar Forsman* Michael Hernandez* Averil Schreiber* Mike Nelson Mary Wurzer* Lynn Waldeland* Tom and Darby Hills Dorothea Bilder Daniel and Karen Maki* Greg Taylor* Lauren Hills Anna Marie Coveny* Rosemary Ostberg Meryl Greer Domina* Janice Devore* Anton Koach Kathy Dimmerman and Ted Saari* Steve Kapitan Mary von Zellen* Barbara Hills Linda Slabon* Ted Anderson Heikki Hartikainen Julie Kiefer-Bell Marcia Elliot* Ronald Barton Bret and Amy Baier Bill and Rita Finucane Diane Rodgers* Shannon Wilde Janet Danekas Carmeda Gregory* Patricia Vary* Jim Luebke Suzanne Willis* Toni Tollerud Paul Stoddard William and Christine Whelon Nancy and Ron Proesel Anonymous* Irene Ekstrom Al Riippi Paul and Lana Uplinger Mary Jo Neitz Kevin and Anne Kivikko Judith Solsken Ashley Lankenau
Nancy Olson Sally & Michael DeFauw Judy Krajewski Moria Nagy Tammy Johnson Lea Gorman Gayla Nieminen and to all who participated in our 2016 summer fundraising events!
*Multiple year donors
Kiitos!! (thanks in Finnish)
This photo on the right features the magnificent Majakka Hall stage. In front of the stage from right to left, Micki Chulick of DeKalb County Community Foundation presents a check to Anna Marie Coveny, Director of DeKalb Area Women’s Center. Diane Rodgers, NIU Associate Professor of Sociology and Lucy Sosa, NIU Sociology graduate student look on. Please click on Updates page above to see the continued progress!
Historic restoration is being achieved because of the following generous donors:
Landmarks Illinois
Finnish-American Society of the Midwest (Chapter of Finlandia Foundation)
DeKalb County Community Foundation (DCCF)
Kishwaukee Kiwanis
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
Tom's Own Maintenance Services
Gordon Hardware
Barbed Corners Antique Club
And these wonderful individuals who have donated during the May Give Local DCCF and DeKalb County Nonprofit Partnership (DCNP) campaigns of 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 or during other times:
Sally and Oscar Forsman* Michael Hernandez* Averil Schreiber* Mike Nelson Mary Wurzer* Lynn Waldeland* Tom and Darby Hills Dorothea Bilder Daniel and Karen Maki* Greg Taylor* Lauren Hills Anna Marie Coveny* Rosemary Ostberg Meryl Greer Domina* Janice Devore* Anton Koach Kathy Dimmerman and Ted Saari* Steve Kapitan Mary von Zellen* Barbara Hills Linda Slabon* Ted Anderson Heikki Hartikainen Julie Kiefer-Bell Marcia Elliot* Ronald Barton Bret and Amy Baier Bill and Rita Finucane Diane Rodgers* Shannon Wilde Janet Danekas Carmeda Gregory* Patricia Vary* Jim Luebke Suzanne Willis* Toni Tollerud Paul Stoddard William and Christine Whelon Nancy and Ron Proesel Anonymous* Irene Ekstrom Al Riippi Paul and Lana Uplinger Mary Jo Neitz Kevin and Anne Kivikko Judith Solsken Ashley Lankenau
Nancy Olson Sally & Michael DeFauw Judy Krajewski Moria Nagy Tammy Johnson Lea Gorman Gayla Nieminen and to all who participated in our 2016 summer fundraising events!
*Multiple year donors
Kiitos!! (thanks in Finnish)
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