Alma Norha Playhouse
This log playhouse was constructed about 1902 by Juha Tupanen Norha for nine year old Alma.
Alma, her mother, Maria, and her grandmother, Elizabeth, arrived in Embarrass from Finland in 1901 to join her father, Samuel, at his homestead cabin. The family came from an estate in Finland called "Norhala".
Everything Alma played with in the playhouse was homemade, except for a cloth doll with a porcelain head, which she brought from Finland.
The initials on the walls are those of Alma's brothers, William Matthew and Wayne John.
Alma Norha was a student in the first schoolhouse built in Embarrass (Photo in Tori Exhibit room).
The playhouse was donated to Sisu Heritage by Verner Keskitalo, and restored with funds made available by Norha family members. The items on display in the playhouse were also donated by the Norha family.
Erected by Sisu Heritage.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Settlements & Settlers • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1902.
Location. 47° 39.718′ N, 92° 11.832′ W. Marker is in Embarrass, Minnesota, in Saint Louis County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Salo Road and County Highway 21. The Alma
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Nelimark Sauna (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Embarrass Co-op (approx. ¼ mile away); Apostolic Lutheran Church (approx. 1.3 miles away); Hanka Homestead (approx. 2 miles away); Longyear Drill Site (approx. 8.1 miles away); Edmund J. Longyear (approx. 8.3 miles away); This Piece of Rock (approx. 8.3 miles away); First Diamond Drill Hole in the State of Minnesota (approx. 8.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Embarrass.
More about this marker. Mounted on the upper left corner of the north façade.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 15, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 18, 2017, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 369 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 18, 2017, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
