Since its grand opening in 1990, Finlandia University's Finnish American Heritage Center has become a community focal point and a national center, offering a multitude of displays, lectures, plays, musical programs and community events each year. The building is a popular stop for tourists of all ethnicities.

The Finnish American Heritage Center links the Finnish-American community to Finland - through history, tradition and mission - with the Finnish American Historical Archive, The Finnish American Reporter newspaper, the Finlandia University Gallery and a theatre.

Regular Heritage Center patrons include students, researchers, genealogists, scholars and dignitaries. Finland's President Tarja Halonen and former Finnish Prime Minister Paavo Lipponen are among numerous special guests who have visited Finlandia University and the Heritage Center.