Imatra Society facts for kids
The Imatra Society was a special club started by Finnish immigrants in Brooklyn, New York. It was founded by John A. Koski, a building engineer. The first meeting happened on December 6, 1890, and the official founding meeting was on December 14, 1890.
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How the Society Started: A Workers' Club
At first, the Imatra Society was called the Workers' Association Imatra. It was a club for workers. Women were part of the group right from the start.
One of the first things the society did was create its own brass band. They also formed a singing group (a chorus) and a theater group.
In October 1892, the chairman, John Koski, shared some important news. He said that there was a bad crop season in their home country, Finland. This meant people might not have enough food. He felt it was their duty to help those in need. Everyone agreed to start collecting money to help the hungry people in Finland.
In February 1903, the society started the Imatra League. This was a larger group of Finnish American workers' unions. It had about 40 smaller groups across the United States and Canada. Around 2,000 people were members of this league. The league even had its own newspaper called Työväen Album (which means "the worker's album"). The Imatra League stopped operating in February 1917.
On June 10, 1906, the Imatra Society began publishing its own newspaper, called New Yorkin Uutiset. This means "New York News."
By 1906, the Imatra Society had many different parts. These included a discussion club, a theater group, a women's club, and the brass band. They also had a library and a reading room for members.
In the fall of 1907, the society started collecting money again. This time, it was for farmers in Finland who had lost their homes.
Imatra Hall: A Special Home
The society decided to build its own building for all their activities. They moved into this new home on November 1, 1908. The grand opening party was held on November 18 and 19.
They even put in their own machine to make electricity! This was a big deal in their neighborhood, which was then called "Finntown hill" (now the Sunset Park area). People talked a lot about how the Imatra Society brought the first electric lights to the area. This building, later known as Imatra Hall, became a very important and popular place for Finnish people.
The Imatra Society also opened a job agency. It started on December 1, 1910. In just one year, the agency helped about 50-60 men and 135 women find jobs. There were many job openings for women in service roles, more than there were people looking for those jobs. In 1912, the agency helped people find 242 jobs.
In 1910, the society's theater group performed many plays at Imatra Hall. Some of these plays included "The Power of Darkness," "The Star of Charley," and "On the Log River."
Becoming an Aid and National Society
At a meeting on January 20, 1918, the society made some new rules. One rule said that the society would try its best to help Finnish people be well-known in the United States. Another rule officially changed the society's name to the Finnish Aid Society Imatra. This meant they focused more on helping people.
A very important rule was also added: If the society ever had to close or became very weak, its property could not be sold or moved without special permission from the government of Finland. This rule could never be changed.
So, the society started as a workers' club, then became an aid society. In July 1921, it was named Kansallisseura Imatra, which means "National Society Imatra."
On May 13, 1923, the Imatra Society sent a group of seven people to Ellis Island. Their job was to help Finnish immigrants as they arrived in the United States.
Special Visitors from Finland
Many famous people from Finland, like artists and other important figures, visited Imatra Hall over the years. These visits were a big part of the society's activities.
Some famous Finnish artists who performed concerts at Imatra Hall include:
- Uuno Klami (October 27, 1917)
- J. Alfred Tanner (May 29, 1924)
- Robert Kajanus (January 11, 1925)
- Lea Piltti (April 24, 1949)
- Tapio Rautavaara (October 22, 1959)
- Henry Theel (February 2, 1973)
- Heimo Haitto (January 24, 1984)
Other important visitors to Imatra Hall included:
- Paavo Nurmi, a famous runner (February 19, 1966)
- Anne Pohtamo (February 5, 1978)
- The minister of education, Kaarina Suonio, and her group (September 13, 1982)
- The president of Finland, Mauno Koivisto, and Mrs. Tellervo Koivisto, with their group (October 25, 1985)
- The minister of education, Christoffer Taxell, and his group (April 10, 1988)
The Imatra Society held a big party on December 8, 1935. They celebrated the birthday of the famous composer Jean Sibelius. It was a very successful event.
For its first 50 years, the society encouraged people to live a healthy lifestyle. After that, the Imatra Hall opened a refreshment area on August 27, 1941.
Juho Rissanen, a well-known painter, visited Imatra Hall on October 1, 1946. He asked if the society would like him to paint a large picture on one of the hall's walls.
On January 23, 1949, it was announced that the Imatra Society had sent many packages to poor people and families in Finland. They also planned to continue helping orphans and those in need in Finland.
In 1959, the society faced some challenges. There were discussions about whether people who were not Finnish should be allowed to become members. It was decided that only Finnish members would be accepted.
The Imatra Society also started organizing "Miss Finlandia" beauty contests. The first one was held on October 6, 1968. Starting in 1970, Finnair (a Finnish airline) gave the winner a free round-trip flight ticket to Finland.
A group of actors from the Finnish National Theatre performed a comedy play at Imatra Hall on June 2, 1971. The play was called "The Delayed Wedding Night." It was so popular that they performed it again on June 27.
For its first 95 years, the society's main language was Finnish. But at a meeting on February 16, 1986, they decided to use English. This was because some members did not understand Finnish.
In 1987, the society planned to start an annual music festival at Imatra Hall. Both Finnish and American artists would perform there. They asked music festivals in Finland if they would like to help organize this big event in New York. Many of them said yes!
On March 7, 1991, a special concert was held at Imatra Hall. Two police singing groups performed: one from Finland with 60 singers, and the New York City police chorus with 40 singers.
The society's 100th birthday celebration lasted for four days, from September 19-22, 1991. During the celebration, 40th Street, where Imatra Hall was located, was also named Finlandia Street. The famous Finlandia hymn by Sibelius was performed by a male singing group from Finland. After that, a parade with people in traditional costumes led everyone to Imatra Hall for the main event.
Sadly, just a few years after its 100th anniversary, the Imatra Society ran into money problems. By the fall of 1995, they had too much debt and could not recover. Imatra Hall was sold. The remaining money was used to create the Imatra Foundation. The Imatra Society officially closed on April 26, 1996.
Images for kids
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Imatra Society celebrating its summer festival in Forth Hamilton in 1894. Their own brass band can be seen in the picture.
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The theater group of Imatra Society in 1910.
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Imatra Society's athletic group Kullervo formed in 1910. At the same time the gymnastic group Kyllikki was formed for women.
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Imatra Society's male chorus in the 1920s directed by Jallu Honkanen.
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Imatra Society celebrating its 70th anniversary on March 18, 1961. The picture is from the main room of the Imatra Hall.
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Imatra Society's staff which arranged the society's 100 anniversary celebration in 1991. The picture is from the courtyard in front of the Imatra Hall.
