Mark: Lapp-Lisa’s story and cultural traces

Mark is closely connected with the life story of Lapp-Lisa. The singer, whose given name was Anna-Lisa Öst, came from the village. Together with the former Lapp-Lisa Museum and the little chapel, her biography offers a tangible way into the cultural history of the place. The wider area around Mark also includes other topics, such as Vilhelmina Museum and Baksjötjärn. This makes it possible to distinguish between the story of an individual, the memory of former places and complementary attractions in the surrounding area.

Lapp-Lisa and her origins in Mark

Anna-Lisa Öst, known as Lapp-Lisa, came from Mark and grew up there, northwest of Vilhelmina. She was born in the village in 1886, the seventh of eight siblings. Her parents were of Sámi origin. Her mother, Tekla Salomonsson, known as “Spel-Tekla,” was a musician; Lapp-Lisa herself was a singer and a member of the Salvation Army. The biographical details link her origins and childhood with her family history and Lapp-Lisa’s own public life. The generations should be clearly distinguished: the musician “Spel-Tekla” was her mother, while Lapp-Lisa was known as a singer and member of the Salvation Army. Her birth, upbringing and family give her connection to Mark a tangible context.

The little chapel and its rooms

Another historical subject is the little chapel in Mark. It comprised a church hall and a small room where Kebbe lived. Thus, a church hall and a living room were part of the same building’s history. A publication from 2008 noted that the chapel was still standing after 77 years at the time. As a physical landmark, it complements Lapp-Lisa’s personal story with a specific building and its different rooms.

The former Lapp-Lisa Museum

There used to be a museum in Mark dedicated to Lapp-Lisa. A report dated June 4, 2012, covered the relocation of the statue of Lapp-Lisa and other museum objects to Vilhelmina. The museum’s history therefore involves two locations: the former museum in the village of Mark and the reported relocation to Vilhelmina. The former museum and the stated destination of the objects are different stages in this story. While Lapp-Lisa’s origins connect Mark with her biography, the museum objects have their own history of place.

More cultural history at Vilhelmina Museum

In the wider area around Mark, Vilhelmina Museum presents the history of the municipality from prehistoric times to the present. Its collections include tools from the settlers’ self-sufficiency period and some Sámi objects. The museum is housed in a former vicarage dating from the 1890s. Its perspective therefore extends beyond one person’s biography: it covers a long period and examples of everyday life and cultural history. If you would like to explore the history of the municipality, the museum offers a different focus from Lapp-Lisa’s personal story or the former museum in Mark.

Walks and summer activities

For a different kind of visit, Baksjötjärn in the wider area around Mark offers a walk free from motorised traffic. In summer, there are also opportunities for rowing, canoeing and kayaking. This brings together a walking activity and seasonal options on the water. If you would like to spend time outdoors as well as explore the cultural attractions, these different options can help you plan your activities.

For the broader travel overview: Vilhelmina.