Keweenaw County Historical Society upcoming events

Adventures in History: The Ecology and History of a Lake Superior Dune: 700 Years of Interaction and Dependence of Pine and Fire (1 Jul 2026)

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 23:00:00 GMT

In 2024 a research team collected over 200 samples of old wood in the Eagle Harbor and Sand Bay wooded dunes. The oldest sample dates back to 1337, and all samples recorded multiple fires. Both human and natural interactions played key roles in the fire process. Join retired US Forest Fire Management Officer Jay Saunders as he presents what he has learned from the research and how it can impact the current and future management of the rare Great Lakes wooded dune ecosystems.

Admission- $5

Adventures in History: Wolf's Mouth: History, Suspense, Crime, and a Love Story Set in a Prisoner of War Camp in the Upper Peninsula (15 Jul 2026)

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 23:00:00 GMT

There aren't many books that serve up history, suspense, crime, and a love story, all beautifully tied together. Wolf's Mouth starts in Worl War II and follows the story of Italian prisoner of war Francesco Verdi, who is held in a POW camp in the Upper Peninsula. Author John Smoles will speak about his award-winning novel and the little-known history of POW camps in Michigan.

Admission- $5

Blessing of the Animals (19 Jul 2026)

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 17:30:00 GMT

Stop by the Phoenix Church and bring a friend, a four-footed friend. Or it could be a winged friend, etc. There will be a pastor available to offer a blessing for you and your friend for a long and healthy life together. In the past we’ve blessed dogs, cats, birds, skunks, ferrets, etc. Who knows what type of “friends” will show up this year.

Adventures in History: Oren Tikkanen and the Back Room Jazz and Polka Band (22 Jul 2026)

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Enjoy an evening of music heard in the Keweenaw 100 years ago. Listen to some popular music of the 1920's as well as some ethnic music from Finnish, Slovenian, and French-Canadian immigrants. Bring your lawn chairs or maybe even get up and dance!

Annual Central Mine Methodist Church Reunion (26 Jul 2026)

Sun, 26 Jul 2026 13:00:00 GMT

What began in 1907 as a worship service for people who once lived in Central Mine and left when the mine closed, continues today, 116 years later. This non-denominational service blends a worship experience with a touch of the history of Central and how important the church was to these early pioneers. Come and experience worship by sitting in the same pews the miners sat in when Central was an active community. There will be services at 9:00 and 11:00 AM.

Adventures in History: Researchers Bring Forgotton Underground Mines into a 3D Future (29 Jul 2026)

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Industrial archeologists at Michigan Tech are helping designers imagine possible futures for old underground mines, connecting the dots between current and future social needs with the assets of our industrial past. Michigan Tech Associate Professor Tim Scarlett will describe and explain the systematic approach they've developed for evaluating old underground workings, shifting the thinking of these as liabilities we must suffer, to instead considering them as assets we could use.

Adventures in History: Copper and Courage: Keweenaw County in the Civil War (5 Aug 2026)

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Far from the battlefields, Lake Superior's remote copper mining region became an essential part of America's bloodiest conflict. As we celebrate 250 years as a nation, KNHP Ranger Lynette Webber will help us learn how Keweenaw County influenced the Civil War, and how the Civil Was influenced the Keweenaw and its people. How was one early mine agent and former Copper Harbor resident later suspected as a mastermind behind the Lincoln assassination?

Adventures in History: Celebrate National Lighthouse Day (7 Aug 2026)

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us for activities and lectures throughout the day

Admission $8

Life Saving Station Open House Day 1 (8 Aug 2026)

Sat, 08 Aug 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Volunteers will be on hand to answer questions about the motor lifeboat restoration

Life Saving Station Open House Day 2 (9 Aug 2026)

Sun, 09 Aug 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Volunteers will be on hand to answer questions about the motor lifeboat restoration

Adventures in History: "She's Not As Shiney As She Used To Be": The Shipwreck of the City of Bangor (12 Aug 2026)

Wed, 12 Aug 2026 23:00:00 GMT

The City Of Bangor ran aground 100 years ago on the Keweenaw Peninsula and became one of the most famous shipwrecks of Lake Superior. Hear KCHS trustee Mark Rowe tell the fascinating story of the wreck, the rescue of its crew and the salvage of its cargo of new Chrysler and Whippet automobiles.

Admission- $5

Phoenix Church Open House (16 Aug 2026)

Sun, 16 Aug 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Annual Phoenix Church Memorial Mass (6 Sep 2026)

Sun, 06 Sep 2026 17:30:00 GMT

Although the church at Phoenix was decommissioned many years ago, the liturgy of the Mass still rings out inside the building once a year. We invite all of you to take part in this annual Memorial Mass to worship in this historic building and to remember all who made the Keweenaw a special place.

Adventures in History: Cider at Central (26 Sep 2026)

Sat, 26 Sep 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Come and make cider from the heritage apples at Central. Bring baskets to harvest apples on-site, or bring your own. Bring containers to take home your cider in. Come anytime between 10am and 3pm to witness this time honored event and sample fresh apple cider. Pack a picnic and wear sturdy shoes to enjoy the hiking trails around this historical ghost town.

Admission- $5