Lehtonen, was in frequent correspondence with the secretary of the Finnish-American society, the Finnish Historical Society Journal wrote a report on the activities of its American sister society, the Helsinki University Library (the national library of Finland) stressed the development of its Finnish-American archives, and even the Turku University displayed interest, and the Finnish Genealogical Society offered its cooperation.

This momentary wave of interest soon subsided. The FinnishAmerican Historical Society gradually withered away, and historical research once more became a matter of individual interest and action. In Minnesota, at that period, several university theses were prepared covering various aspects in this field, and in the 1930s the WPA projects resulted in much valuable material in interviews conducted with early immigrants, but it was not until the Delaware Tercentenary approached that a concerted historical interest once more became apparent.

The American Finnish Delaware Tercentenary Committee was established at a meeting on 29 September 1936 in New York, to prepare for the commemoration of the three hundredth anniversary (1938) of the arrival of the first Finns in America. The committee included members from all the states where Finns resided. O. J. Larson of Duluth was elected chairman of the committee, John H. Wuorinen of New York, secretary, and John Saari, also of New York, treasurer. Another important and active member of the committee was Emil Hurja, who travelled extensively as a speaker to further the committee's work.

The Delaware River Valley celebrations of the Swedes and Finns were held 27 to 30 June 1938. Sweden was represented by Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf, the Crown Princess, and Prince Bertil, while Finland sent its Secretary of State, Dr. Rudolf Holsti. The United States Secretary of State, Cordell Hull, welcomed the foreign guests upon their arrival at Wilmington on 27 June.

A monument to commemorate the event was donated by, Finland and erected in Chester, Pennsylvania. On the base of the monument is written

Sons of Kaleva far sailing

Passed an ocean's western reaches To this soil their strength applying On this shore a home established Toiling their crops to sow and garner

Hewed their dwellings from the forest.

Near this spot stood a settlement named Finland so called by the first Finnish settlers on this continent in remembrance of their homeland.

284