Last updated Pamaus Society is located at the Karelia House in Helsinki.
PamausSociety (Pamaus-Seura) officially known as the Teollisuuden- ja liikkeenharjoittajain Seura Pamaus (Industrialists and Merchants Society Pamaus), is a Finnish society and a private members' club with roots in the city of Viipuri (now Vyborg, Russia). The society was founded on January 13, 1891, during the Grand Duchy of Finland era, as a Finnish-speaking counterpart to the Swedish-speakingHandelsgillet i Wiborg. Its purpose was to promote the interests of Finnish craftsmen and merchants and to support Karelian industry, trade, and business.[1][2]
The first clubhouse in Viipuri. Architect Anders Sandell.
Viipuri's position improved significantly in domestic and international trade after the 1850s, leading to remarkable economic growth. At one stage, Vyborg surpassed Helsinki as the largest center of trade in Finland. At its peak, Vyborg’s commerce accounted for a quarter of all trade in Finland. The Swedish-speaking Handelsgillet i Wiborg was established in 1887, which created a need for a Finnish-speaking business society. Pamaus-Seura was established with permission from Grand Dukeof FinlandAlexander III of Russia and the Imperial Senate of Finland and aimed to support the Finnish-speaking businessmen affected by the scientific and industrial revolutions and the opening of new transport links, such as the railway between Helsinki and Saint Petersburg and the Saimaa Canal.[1]
At the founding meeting, about thirty founding members were present, including merchant Juho Lallukka, industrialist Karl Alfred Paloheimo, and cultural figure Johan Henrik Erkko. Viipuri was one of Finland's largest trade and industrial cities at the time. The society supported the extension of universal suffrage in 1896 and worked to boost Viipuri's vitality, along with Karelian industry and commerce.[1]
The society also had close cooperation with the Finnish Club of Viipuri (Viipurin Suomalainen Klubi), and overlapping membership was common.[1]
Pamaus Society operated as an advocate for the interests of craftsmen and businessmen and was active in cultural and social discussions. The society organised lectures and other events related to trade, industry, and culture. It also maintained a men's choir and speaker clubs. The society's headquarters were located in various buildings in Viipuri, including Sellgren's house and later a wooden club building designed by architect Anders Sandell, completed in 1917.[1]
The second clubhouse was at the Nordic Union Bank Building in Vyborg.
The society negotiated with the Nordic Union Bank (Pohjoismaiden Yhdyspankki) in 1938 to purchase a bank building located by the Market Square and next to the Round Tower (Pyöreä torni) for a new club building. Architect Väinö Keinänen made new plans to convert the bank premises for club use. During the Continuation War, the society operated on the third and fourth floors of the Union Bank building, which remained intact despite the events of the Winter and Continuation Wars. Club activities in the building ended due to the events of World War II, after which Finland lost Vyborg and Karelia.[1]
In 1991, in honor of its 100th anniversary, the Pamaus Society donated 500,000 Finnish marks to educational institutions in Kymenlaakso that focus on commercial and technical education.[3]
Endowment fund
The society's donation fund was established in 1912. The initial capital for the fund was donated by commercial counselor Juho Lallukka. The fund awarded scholarships to young people who had the opportunity to undertake study trips abroad. These study trips focused on commerce and industry. Commercial counselor Feodor Sergejeff and William Otsakorpi also donated significant sums to the fund.[1]
Art collection
The society accumulated an extensive art collection between 1901 and 1941, featuring portraits of notable members painted by distinguished Finnish artists. The collection included portraits of businessman Juho Lallukka, patron William Otsakorpi, consul M. A. Wilska, goldsmith Wilhelm Porthan, and mayor Arno Tuurna. The portrait of Lallukka was painted by Eero Järnefelt, Otsakorpi's by Eero Snellman, Wilska's by Emil Rautala, Porthan's by Kalle Kuutola, and Tuurna's by Eva Cederström. The collection also featured works by Pekka Halonen, Elias Muukka, and Eva Cederström.[1][4]
Much of the collection was evacuated during World War II and is now preserved in the Lappeenranta Art Museum.[4][5]
Modern times
World War II and the subsequent loss of Viipuri and Karelia to the Soviet Union brought an end to the society's activities in the city. The society relocated to Helsinki.[4]
In 2025, the society had over 850 members. It organises speaker events where ministers, members of parliament, high-ranking officials and officers, ambassadors, researchers, writers, and business leaders have given presentations. The society meets at the Karelia House (Karjalatalo) in the Käpylä district of Helsinki.[4][6]
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Brummer, O. J.: Teollisuuden- ja Liikkeenharjoittajain seura Pamaus 1891–1941. Helsinki: Teollisuuden- ja liikkenharjoittajain seura Pamaus, 1944.
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