The main building in the museum area is the house of Alanne. It is one of the first known houses in Suomussalmi. Originally the house was located by Lake Alanne (south-east from the Suomussalmi center) and it was used as an inn by Karelian tradesmen. The house of Alanne was a wealthy house and well-known for its hospitality.
The oldest part of the present building is the large living room which dates back to the 18th century. It was chimneyless and smoke was let out through a vent in the ceiling. The hall and the extension of two rooms were added to the living room in 1852. The living room in its present state demostrates a late 19th century Suomussalmi house. Objects of the previous century are exhibited in the rooms of the extension.