History
American Consular Service, U.S. Embassy Helsinki
Miscellaneous Record Book
Over five years ago, the staff of the Consular Section at the U.S. Embassy in Helsinki were engaged in a house cleaning exercise which revealed the existence of a true historical gem: an old book whose spine included the imprint ‘Miscellaneous Record Book – American Consular Service.’ The first page of the book included an entry which read as follows:
Miscellaneous Record Book Vol. 4
Opened October 19th 1937
Signed: L. Randolph Higgs, American Consul
The book includes a variety of diverse historical entries: a sketch/overview of the consular legation in Helsinki since its inception, listings of consular staff from 1850-1956, an account of legation activities during World War II, and a list of contracts signed by the Legation and Finnish businesses. The book also reveals the inner workings and perceptions of the American Legation in a perilous time for the Finnish nation: 1939-1940. American consular agents created diplomatic records which were completed in a meticulous fashion and with great attention to detail.
The US Embassy is extremely proud to present the contents of Volume 4 to the Finnish public. Of course, the discovery of Volume 4 raises the question about the whereabouts of other volumes but we hold out a slim hope that other treasures will be found at the U.S. Chancery and Annex buildings located at 14 Itäinen Puistotie in Helsinki.