Finnish Immigrants in Vermont

Between 1910 and 1940 a significant number of Finnish immigrants settled in Andover and surrounding towns. By the late 1920s more than 30 Finnish families lived in Andover, and East Hill Road became known as “Finn Hill.” Drawn to the area by affordable and established farmsteads, they organized a Finnish Farmers’ Cooperative to purchase farm equipment to be shared by members. Many families built a freestanding sauna (SOW-nah) behind their farmhouse, preferably near a stream or pond. In these small log or wood frame buildings, bursts of steam called löyly (LOH-luh) are created by splashing water onto hot rocks heated by a woodstove. Used for both bathing and socializing, the sauna is a centuries-old Finnish cultural tradition.