Aitoneva Peat Museum

Aitoneva is a diverse and unique destination located in Kihniö. The area is home to a museum, a machine exhibition, a birdwatching tower, an environmental trail, and two lean-to shelters. Aitoneva is owned by Neova Oy and is part of the Lauhanvuori–Hämeenkangas UNESCO Global Geopark, making it one of Kihniö’s designated geopark sites.

The Aitoneva Peat Museum exhibition tells the story of the history of peat production, the use of peat, and the development, history, and environmental management of the industry. The museum yard features a lean-to shelter and an extensive machine exhibition showcasing old production machinery, some of which dates back to the 1940s. The machinery used over the years has been quite unique and is definitely worth seeing.

The environmental trail offers a view of the restoration of the peat production area, as well as a rare drag scraper that was used in the production of fuel peat. Along the trail, there are information boards that describe the typical animal and plant species of the area. The remnants of peat production can still be seen in the landscape along the trail. The Aitoneva birdwatching tower, Aitotorni, is located on the edge of the wetland. The wetland serves as a post-production use area for peatland and also functions as a water treatment structure.

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Aitonevan turvemuseo
Aitonevantie 358, Kihniö

Highlights

History

During the peat harvesting season from May to August, Aitoneva’s peat production employed over 600 workers, mostly locals from Kihniö, with some coming from nearby towns. By autumn, seasonal workers left, leaving around 40–50 permanent employees.

Peat production at Aitoneva began in the challenging years of World War II, when the energy crisis prompted attention towards peat. In 1941, a team led by Dr. Matti Salmen conducted initial studies on the area’s suitability for peat production. By 1942, work began with a labor force primarily made up of deserters and minor criminals from a nearby prison.

The War Years

In addition to prisoners, others who stayed out of combat, including women, children, evacuees, and elderly men, contributed to the labor force. Workers were also recruited via newspaper ads for various roles, from office staff to engineers. Aitoneva became a crucial employer during post-war reconstruction, providing jobs for many families.

Labor Conditions

The swampy terrain made manual labor challenging, especially before machinery was introduced. Workers used spades to dig peat and relied on long poles to prevent sinking. Despite the arrival of machines, physical labor continued, with workers manually moving transformers for machinery and transporting materials. The work was physically demanding, often resulting in injuries such as sprains, burns, and cuts.

Transportation and Safety

Transporting workers to the site was difficult, with many walking or biking, while others used car services. Injuries were common, with long distances to the hospital adding to the difficulty. Accidents and fires were frequent, with peat being highly flammable. Thunderstorms would halt work, though the most serious incident occurred when a ball lightning struck a group of women, sending three to the hospital.