Description
The goal of the project is to develop Suuremõisa Manor into a functioning visitor centre, to preserve local manor heritage and to create a more uniform and active community that knows the history of its home place, appreciates its living environment, is aware of the cultural heritage surrounding it and wants to maintain, preserve and restore its heritage, is able to value traditional materials and techniques in restoring buildings and has the respective know-how and experience. During the project seminars to plan a functioning visitor centre, training courses and practical study days dealing with restoration of stone buildings and guide training will be carried out. A permanent exposition introducing the history of the manor complex will be created in the museum room in manor building. Donor partner Ha Gamle Prestergard will participate via consulting the creation of exhibition and organising seminars to exchange experiences.
Summary of project results
Suuremõisa manor, housing a vocational school and a basic school is one of the most important protected monuments in the island of Hiiumaa. The main aim of the development project “Revival of Suuremõisa Manor Heritage” was to create a visitor centre to promote and efficiently use the freshly restored Suuremõisa manor and to involve the local community in the safekeeping and development of the valuable cultural heritage site. With the assistance of Norwegian partner Hå Gamle Prestegård series of seminars were carried out to investigate and map the needs of the potential visitors and local community, create a development plan for the visitor centre and train local people to participate in the activities of the centre. Classes on history of the manor and heritage of the region and professional guiding were carried out for 11 local people that can be employed as guides on seasonal basis. As a part of training the contemporary permanent exhibition was prepared. Also relevant booklets and postcards were printed for the centre. To enhance the use of the whole historical complex theoretical and practical workshops on restoration of stone buildings were carried out on the conservation of the ruins of Suuremõisa windmill. The workshops took place following the principle of open workshop i.e. the works were open to the wider audience with altogether 200 participants. Similar workshops took place at the lighthouse in Hå Gamle Prestegård that resulted in conservation plan and actual restoration works. The workshops helped to integrate local heritage to the curriculum of restoration of the vocational school. Workshops in Norway enabled the school to create permanent contacts with relevant institutions in Norway. The project was very successful as it involved a large number of people including students and young professionals, activated local community, lay ground for potential new jobs and services and activated challenging cooperation between Estonia and Norway. A new NGO was created that runs the visitor centre. The project was very well reflected in local and social media.
Summary of bilateral results
Expert from Norwegian side assisted in drafting of the development plan for the Suuremõisa manor in Hiiumaa island. Students from the vocational school operating in Suuremõisa manor carried out part of the restoration works of the Obrestad Lighthouse in Norway.