In 1913, David Pulkkinen, holder of the Finnish honorary title “kauppaneuvos”, commissioned the construction of an elegant stone building at the foot of the steps leading to the town parish church.
The building contained three luxurious apartments, one of which was owned by Dr Dahlström during the Continuation War. He gave his apartment to Marshal Mannerheim, who lived there from autumn 1941 until winter 1944. He then moved to Sairila mansion, outside the town. Air raids were expected, and moving the commander-in-chief was one part of Headquarters’ strategy of decentralisation.
The Marshal’s apartment was located on the second floor of the building facing the Hallituskatu street. Nowadays, the building is home to Mikkeli Art Museum – South Savo Regional Art Museum.
