A New Permanent Exhibition at the Estonian War Museum

Text Susanna Poikela
Photo Timo Huttunen

The Estonian War Museum opened a new exhibition on 22 November dedicated to the Estonian Defence League. The exhibition tells the history of the voluntary national defence organisation, and offers an overview of the history of the Defence League—Kaitseliit, the Women’s Defence League—Naiskodukaitse, the Young Eagles—Noored Kotkad, and the Home Daughters—Kodutütred, from their founding to the present day.

The exhibition also includes interactive elements. Visitors can, for example, explore the functions of a field telephone manufactured at the Tartu Telephone Factory. The telephone was produced before the Second World War for the Finnish army. By using Morse code, visitors can listen to messages, articles, and memories about the history of the Defence League.

“The Defence League room is small, but it contains a lot, and more items will be added in the future. We held on to one important idea while renewing the exhibition: the large squad tent and the mannequins representing Defence League members, women members, and youth from different eras, which convey the most authentic spirit of the Defence League,” says Hellar Lill, Director of the Estonian War Museum.

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Defence League Estonian War Museum Exhibitions Museums Viimsi Manor War War Museum exhibitions