A good proposal for implementation, although it did not pass in the vote
The OmaStadi proposal for a Helsinki Manor exhibition at the City Museum received 255 votes in the 2022 vote, which was not enough to implement the proposal with participatory budgeting funding. However, the museum staff took up the idea and the result was the exhibition Glamour and Curtsy – Upstairs and Downstairs Life, which will be on display at the Hakasalmi Villa until the end of August.
"When the proposal for the Helsinki Manors exhibition came to the museum, we discussed the potential of the exhibition. The museum's exhibition ideas are discussed once a year at the pitch event, where we decided to take the proposal," says Susanna Eskola, Exhibitions and Programming Team Leader. "The idea clearly appealed to museum-goers. We wanted to create an experiential and phenomenon-based exhibition with a lot to experience for lovers of mansion romance and costume drama. The exhibition idea was accepted for production," Eskola continues.
Ghost tours and 1800s costumes
The exhibition includes period costumes, interiors and the history of the manor houses in a contemporary light. The exhibition also tells the story of the manor's inhabitants from the point of view of both the gentry and the mercenaries. The original idea was refined in an experiential direction, where imagination and experience play their part.
The 'Glamour and Curtsy' exhibition has delivered an ambitious programme of events, providing an interesting and exciting experience for anyone interested in 19th century history. The highly popular Ghost Tours of the Manor took place between October and February. The 'Evening at the Manor' event brought those interested in costume, 19th century cuisine and old dances to the Hakasalmi Villa. The exhibition on the history of the manor houses has attracted visitors, and feedback on the exhibition on the older history has been positive.
OmaStadi proposals reflect the wishes of citizens
OmaStadi is Helsinki's participatory budgeting system, where citizens can propose and vote on how the city spends €10 million. Many of the city's services will use the suggestions received through OmaStadi to develop the city and its services in line with the wishes of its citizens.
The most successful proposals in the vote will be implemented with OmaStadi money. Even the proposals that did not make it through the voting process have since been implemented as part of the city's core work. The "Glamour and Curtsy" exhibition is a good example of how OmaStadi proposals have an impact on many levels in the city," says OmaStadi Development Manager Kirsi Verkka.
The next opportunity for citizens to make OmaStadi suggestions will be from 22 September to 5 October 2025. "We are looking forward to seeing what ideas for the development of the city will be generated in OmaStadi this time. Support for making suggestions will be available at a number of events and in various city services. You don't have to go it alone," says Lotta Jäättelä, Borough Liaison for the Southern Metropolitan District.
"It's worth suggesting exhibition ideas to the museum, for example via OmaStad. We do exhibitions for clients and it's always nice to do an exhibition that has been requested," Eskola encourages.
