During the Continuation War, the School for the Deaf and Mute housed the internal medicine ward of the 17th military hospital, accommodating 142 patients. The school had been put to the same use during the Civil War of 1918, when a field hospital sent over from Sweden operated in the area.
Thanks to medical advancements, injuries that affect hearing are being consigned to history, but the picture was rather different a century ago. In the 1890s, schools were built for deaf people all over Finland, including in Mikkeli. After the Winter War broke out, the complex of buildings, which included a school, dormitory and other facilities, offered its premises for a month to the Headquarters’ command division, the artillery and engineer commanders and their staff, and the medical and veterinary divisions.
Nowadays, the school building is occupied by the Mikkeli Photographic Centre, Mikkeli Art School and the South Savo Social and Health Care Organisations’ Support Association. The Community College of Mikkeli has art facilities on the premises, as well as workspaces for artists.
