Is this your kind of stuff?
Adopt a monument
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WHAT IS THIS ABOUT ? Are you interested in archaeological monuments or old buildings? Would you like to do something real to protect them? The Adopt a monument programme encourages people to appreciate and preserve their own surroundings. It is a chance to start an interesting hobby as a caretaker of our cultural landscape. Taking care of monuments is voluntary work. Adopters do not own the items but take care of them and monitor their condition. They can also research their history and organise events at the sites. The programme was started at the Pirkanmaa Provincial Museum in 2009. In 2013–2014, architectural heritage was added to the programme.
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What do you see? A decaying building or a piece of irreplace3 able cultural heritage?
The ruins of the P채lk채ne church are an impressive archaeological monument. The adopters take care of the lea in the churchyard and monitor the condition of the ruins.
To survive, our cultural environment needs our appreciation 4 and attention, too.
HOw ? Caretaking is based on an agreement between adopters and the Pirkanmaa Provincial Museum. The agreement can stipulate that the caretakers have a right to organise events in the building or its surroundings. A management plan will be drawn up which takes into account the condition of the item and the resources available to the caretakers. The agreements are in force until further notice and can be terminated when needed. The website of the Adopt a monument project at 足 www.adoptoimonumentti.fi has information on the items. The site also has information and news about the programme.
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who? A building or archaeological monument can be adopted by a community, association, company or public entity such as a school. Some have even founded associations for the specific purpose of taking care of a monument. Some of the events organised at the sites are open to everyone. Adopters do not need previous experience, knowledge of matters related to cultural environments or special construction skills. Curiosity and enthusiasm go a long way and the best way to learn about taking care of the cultural environment is to do it! The provincial museum’s staff includes people who are professionals on taking care of our cultural heritage: archaeologists, specialists in architectural heritage and a master builder specialised in traditional construction. Their expertise is at the adopters’ disposal. The museum also organises training events and trips where you can learn more and meet other adopters.
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Adoption is hobby that is suitable for the entire family. Children can take part in many kinds of caretaking work.
Working together with other adopters is the best way to enjoy 7 caretaking. Adopters at the Reuharinniemi Lapp cairns.
Plants that grow too close to a wall can maintain its moisture at a high level. Water damage is easy to prevent by weeding.
Taking care of architectural heritage also helps to maintain 8 make traditional red ochre old building methods. You can paint yourself.
WHAT IS THE WORK LIKE? Caretaking teams monitor the condition of monuments and when needed, they carry out maintenance and repair work in accordance with the management plan. The purpose of adopting is also to make people aware of their cultural environment. Adopters can design and set up information boards at the sites, for example. An important goal of taking care of ancient monuments is to increase their visibility. Often caretaking involves weeding, mowing, trimming and removal of litter. Small and simple caretaking and maintenance measures are important in preserving architectural heritage. These can include cleaning roofs and clearing gutters, removing vegetation from along walls, painting (including with red ochre) and window repair. Monitoring the condition of buildings helps prevent damage from becoming serious.
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WHAT KIND OF BUILDINGS ARE UP FOR ADOPTION? There are buildings in our surroundings that tell about local history and are located in central and visible places in the landscape. Typically buildings that are no longer in use need the most attention. To be adopted, buildings and structures must be vacant and located in Pirkanmaa. They should play an important role in the landscape and be relatively small so that maintenance costs will be reasonable. Such targets include community houses, cottages, crofts, schools, mills, stations, stages, kiosks, barns, granaries, chapels, milk platforms, bathing huts, transformer stations, bridges and storehouses. Even a small building or structure can be significant! Do you know of a suitable building or other structure? Suggest it to the Pirkanmaa Provincial Museum: tel. +358 40 800 7389 or adoptoimonumentti@tampere.fi
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A singing stage could be perfect for a choir or small orchestra to adopt!
Small kiosks that play an important role in the cityscape are great for residents’ associations.
Windmills are a dying part of the architectural heritage. A well11 looked-after mill is a wonderful landmark and a source of pride.
Traditional mowing techniques to maintain Iron Age burial grounds were used at a cultural environment maintenance camp.
Plants cover monuments and their roots can damage them. The adopters of the Pulteriaita12 stonewall in Tampere’s Pispala at work.
WHAT KIND OF ARCHEOLOGICAL MONUMENTS ARE UP FOR ADOPTION? There are a large number of archaeological monuments in Pirkanmaa from Stone Age dwelling places to First World War fortifications. All ancient monuments are protected under law and any work on them is subject to permission. Ancient monuments are often difficult to see and poorly known. People often do not understand their importance. Suitable sites for adoption include fortified hills, stone walls, burial cairns, hunting pits, ancient dwelling places, cremation cemeteries and defensive fortifications. From the ancient monuments register maintained by the National Board of Antiquities you can check if there are any close to where you live. Suggest an interesting item to the Pirkanmaa Provincial Museum! The website of the Adopt a monument project at www.adoptoimonumentti.fi also has information on suitable monuments.
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SHOULD I JOIN? Leave a mark Learn read signs of the past
Hands-on work Inspiration and motivation
Protecting a beloved building Feel good
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Large information boards were posted at the Pispala stonewall in autumn 2013.
Cultural environment trip to the 15 Osmonpuisto Park singing stage.
PLEASE JOIN US! We are looking for new items to adopt and people to become their caretakers.
Get in touch! Pirkanmaa Provincial Museum tel. +358 40 800 7389 adoptoimonumentti@tampere.fi www.adoptoimonumentti.fi
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