"The one who can go around the island three times counterclockwise, riding a one-day-old foal on ice that has frozen over one night, he can see where the treasure is on the shore."

The old story is typical; after thinking about the conditions one can understand that it is impossible to perform the task and so the mystery remains.

In 1952, the new local area society received the old Kalliokoski mill of Kustaa Vuolle-Apiala from Koskenpää. When it was contemplated where to put the mill, Heikki Seppänen arranged for it to be placed on an island owned by him. The island was once a part of the grounds of Kosken Rustholli. Later the island was joined with the mainland and the local arts-and-crafts museum took over the area.

In the opening summer of the local arts-and-crafts museum, in addition to the mill, the island also held a granary from Pataniemi in Jämsä and the old main building of Kosken Rustholli. Otto Sovijärvi had donated his collection to form the basic collection of artefacts housed in the buildings. Back then, Treasure Island was still a real island, and people visited it by boat through Viitasalmi strait and Oinaala.

Land from the mainland was donated to the museum by Laina and Heikki in the beginning of the 1970s.

The museum area was built and renovated with the help of the local factory to the end of and even after Tillikka's management. When the company later withdrew its support for the museum, the municipality, later the city of Jämsä, stepped in to take its place.

In the museum area the visitor can see local history from the 16th century through to the first decades of the 20th century. The farming culture and industrial history can be seen through buildings and artefacts.

The society used the first years of the 1990s and the 21st century for renovation of the buildings in the area. The original exhibition set up in the 1950s was also renewed in the beginning of the 21st century. The renovation aimed at illustrative presentation and the creation of authentic interiors. In addition, the museum's rare exhibits were restored.

Text: Hannu Ahlstedt