The Syväranta estate was well-known as early as the 19th century. It has had many owners, and during the early 1900s Syväranta became a popular meeting place for artists, musicians and writers. The ‘‘Spider’s Web Gate” and Josefina statue in the garden, date from this golden era.
The Lotta Svärd Organisation bought the property in 1936, thoroughly renovating it as a training centre. In 1940 the house was used by the Defence Forces, and thereafter again as a course centre, up to 1944.
After the Winter War, the Lottas in Sweden donated a new building to the Lotta Svärd, called Ruotsinmaja (Swedish cottage), as a convalescence home for Lottas.
Before the Organisation was disbanded in November 1944, Syväranta was donated to a Foundation that was established by the Lottas. Unfortunately, the main building was destroyed by fire in 1947. Ruotsinmaja and its lakeside sauna were later renovated as a recreation centre and rest home.
In 1994, the Foundation celebrated its 50th anniversary. To mark the occasion, the Foundation had a new main building constructed on the site of the old one, to honour the work and memory of the Finnish Lottas. The Syväranta Lotta Museum was opened in spring 1996.
