For more information, or to register, visit www.hsmichigan.org or call (800) 692-1828.
THE 63RD ANNUAL
UPPER PENINSULA History ConferenceSAULT STE. MARIE, MICHIGAN — JUNE 22-24, 2012
HOSTED & SPONSORED BY:
Friday, June 22
9 AM-Noon Pre-Conference Workshop
Walker Cisler Student and Conference Center, LSSU 650 W. Easterday Ave, Sault Ste. Marie
Developing Collections (See box at right)
12-4 PM Registration
Holiday Inn Express lobby, 1171 Riverview Way, Sault Ste. Marie
2-4:30 PM Pre-Conference Tours
Depart from Holiday Inn Express lobby.
Tour 1: Cloverland Hydroelectric Plant and Lake Superior State University Walking Tour
Join us on a special tour of the 1902 hydroelectric plant, which at the time of its construction was second only to a plant at Niagara Falls in size. Following the tour, partici-pants will drive to LSSU, where you will be given a historic tour of campus. Walking and some stair climbing are part of this tour. $15
Tour 2: Walking Tour of the International Bridge Plaza Tour participants will meet at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection visitor parking lot, located adjacent to the Customs facil-ity and directly off of Portage Ave. The tour will cover U.S. Customs and Border Patrol and the International Bridge Authority, and includes a trip across the bridge with commentary on bridge infrastructure and historic sites in Sault Ste. Marie. Limit of 40 participants and, for security purposes, we will need to provide identification information in advance. $15
6 PM Outdoor BBQ Cisler Center Courtyard - St. Marys River and Bridge View
Join us for our traditional Friday kick-off meal outdoors, and enjoy the view and music, too!
7 PM Mike Fornes of the Gordon Lightfoot Tribute Band Whispers of the North
The woods, the water, and the wildlife blend with the North Country music in this tribute to folk music great Gordon Lightfoot.
Saturday, June 23
8 AM-Noon Registration
Walker Cisler Student and Conference Center, LSSU
9 AM Welcome & Opening Keynote
Welcome: Morrie Walworth, LSSU Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Spencer Nebel, City Manager of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
Mackinac in the War of 1812 (See box at right) Phil Porter, Mackinac State Historic Parks
9:45-11 AM Concurrent Sessions I
Session 1:
Ferries and the International Bridge: Means and Methods of Crossing the St. Marys River at Sault Ste. Marie Karl Hansen and Phil Becker, International Bridge Administration
This will span the period from the beginning of the 20th century with the first ferry through to the completion of the construction of the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge in 1962. The talk will rely largely on the presentation of historic photos, newspaper articles, and other documentation.
Session 2:
The Sandstone Architecture of the Lake Superior Region Kathryn Eckert, Author
This presentation examines the historical development of Lake Superior regional red sandstone quarries and highlights buildings from Du-luth to Sault Ste. Marie and elsewhere that made use of this remarkable resource. Red sandstone deposits were quarried along the south shore of Lake Superior from 1870 to 1910, when the prosperity of the copper and iron mining, lumbering, and shipping industries created a demand for substantial buildings. Architects, builders and clients preferred the local sedimentary rock because it was beautiful, durable, and fireproof. Red sandstone architecture gives the Lake Superior region a distinct identity.
Pre-Conference Workshop Friday 9 AM
Developing Collections
Tamara Barnes Assistant Director, Historical Society of Michigan
$25 with conference registration*
Learn how to effectively and strategically build your collections; the value of a Scope of Collections Statement
for your museum, historic house, or other history organization; and other collection-related matters.
Workshop participants will learn how to accomplish a variety of “bottom lines” in collections management, and
position themselves for thoughtful collection development.
*To register for the workshop only, the fee is $49 for HSM Members or $79 for non-members (includes 1-yr membership).
Opening Keynote Saturday 9 AM
Mackinac in the War of 1812
Phil Porter Mackinac State Historic Parks
Mackinac Island was the site of two
significant military engagements during the War of 1812, including one of the
first land actions. These struggles speak to the economic and geo-
political importance of the Upper Great Lakes and the key role of Mackinac Island in controlling this vast re-gion. In this illustrated lecture, Phil Porter will detail the dramatic events surrounding these battles and their significant impact on this international conflict.
Session 3:
The Habits of Civilized Life: Exploring the Impact of Missionaries on Native Americans in the UP James Seelye, Kent State University
Throughout the 19th century, Native Americans in the Upper Peninsula were subjected to an onslaught of European civilization, including a number of missionaries of various denominations. This presentation will focus on the impact some of these missionaries had on the Native Americans they sought to convert. Focusing on Abel Bingham, John Pitezel, and Frederic Baraga, the session will explore the ways in which missionary con-tact changed the cultural landscape of the UP. It can be argued that the missionaries’ greatest achievements were not spiritual; rather, their achievements lie in the ways they enabled Native Americans to better understand their European-American neighbors.
Session 4:
Mini Workshop: Description of a Low-Budget Re-photography Project Bernie Arbic, Chippewa County Historical Society
For a themed photo exhibit, the Chippewa County Historical Society chose 36 interesting photographs of Sault Ste. Marie scenes taken in the years 1900 to 1970. Bernie Arbic and others then shot the same scenes in 2010, from the same vantage points. The resulting 36 pairs of views were presented side by side in the exhibit, and subsequently published in a book titled Then and Now: The Changing Face of Sault Ste. Marie. Sales of the book have generated a nice profit for the society.
11-11:30 AM Refreshment Break & Exhibits
11:30 AM-12:45 PM Concurrent Sessions II
Session 5:
Murder, Mayhem & Misfits: Murder Vignettes in the UP Sonny Longtine, Author
A visual and narrative presentation on spine-tingling murders that turned quiet communities into fear-ridden crime scenes in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The presenter will share with participants some stories of the “underside” of UP history. Session 6:
Kincheloe Air Force Base Darwin Kauer, United States Air Force, retired
Active from 1943 to 1977, this Air Force base was located 20 miles south of the Sault and played a key role in US defense operations during the Cold War. Using video footage and images, the presenter will share the unique role and history of Kincheloe, which is now the location of the Chip-pewa County International Airport.
Session 7:
Drawing the Border through the Upper St. Marys River: The Unceded Status of Sugar Island Phil Bellfy, Author and Historian
After the War of 1812, commissioners were selected by both the British and American governments to determine the border between the two coun-tries. When the surveyors reached the Upper St. Marys River in 1828, a dispute arose over which country would be "awarded" Sugar Island. The resolution of this issue was not achieved until 1842; consequently, Sugar Island was not included in the 1836 land cession Treaty of Washing-ton. This presentation will examine the past, present, and future of Sugar Island in light of this "unceded” status.
Session 8:
Mini Workshop: Beyond Field Trips: Building Partner-ships with Local Schools Tamara Barnes, Historical Society of Michigan
This session will look at ways historical organizations can build relationships with teachers and schools in their region. By tying their collec-tions and programs to social studies curriculum standards, they can more easily attract teachers to their resources. A variety of outreach activities and special programming will be discussed. The presenter will also talk about her experiences with lending trunks, off-site visits to schools, and opportunities to utilize students as interns at your museum.
12:45 PM Luncheon & Keynote (See box at right)
2-2:30 PM Reports from UP Historical Organizations
Local museums and historical societies share brief reports on their activities in the past year.
Luncheon & Keynote Saturday 12:45 PM
The Find of a Thousand Lifetimes: The Gorto Site Discovery
Jim Paquette Metis Elder, Author, Historian, and Archaeologist
This program tells the story of Michigan’s historic 1987 discov-ery and subsequent excavation of one of the most remarkable archaeological finds ever uncovered in the Upper Great Lakes region. It was in the early spring of that year that local avoca-tional archaeologists Jim Paquette from Negaunee and John
Gorto from Ishpeming discovered a large treasure trove of 10,000-year-old Late Paleo-Indian/Early Archaic period projec-tile points while conducting an archaeological survey within the drained reservoir bed of the Deer Lake Basin near Ishpeming. The 1987 unearthing of this cache of incredibly ancient stone spear points has been described as being “the Upper Penin-sula’s greatest archaeological discovery of the 20th century.”
2:30-3:30 PM Concurrent Sessions III
Session 9:
Shallow Shipwrecks Terry Begnoche, Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society
The presenter will explore newly discovered and read-ily accessible historic wrecks near Whitefish Point. Many are within a short swim or kayak trip from shore and are readily visible to snorkelers (wind and weather allowing). Wrecks such as the November 27, 1872 sister ships Saturn and Jupiter can be found several miles apart but close to shore. Shallow wrecks along the shipwreck coast may be exposed from time to time due to changing weather and water levels, offering opportunities for new discoveries in the Whitefish Point
Underwater Preserve every time you visit these shallow time capsules.
Session 10:
Remotely Yours: Tahquamenon Paradise Jan Huttenstine, Author
Session participants will enjoy a historic journey along Chippewa County’s thundering wilderness river, the Tahquamenon. Long home to the Tahquamenon band of Ojibwe and ravaged for 50 years by the logging industry, it survives today as a gem among Michigan State Parks with an intriguing history of its own. The presentation includes many rare photographs collected by the author during her book research on the area. This includes the collections of the late Sprague Taylor, author of Tahquamenon Country.
Session 11:
Chase S. Osborn: The Man and His Legacy Deidre Stevens, Author
Though he was born in Indiana, Chase Salmon Osborn adopted Sault Ste. Marie, in Michigan's Eastern Upper Peninsula, as his home. The community reciprocated. Osborn, in addition to being Michigan's only governor from the Upper Peninsula, presented the Sault with many gifts, both physical and otherwise. This talk will look back at Osborn's life as a prospector, newspaper editor, and world traveler, and
consider the ways the Sault, the state, and perhaps the world are better for his actions.
3:30-5:00 PM Historical Sites Open House
Visit and tour the downtown Chippewa County Historical Society Museum, Ojibwe Learning Center and Library, River of History Museum, and the Soo Theatre, all within walking distance of one another. Conference name tag required to be admitted to each site. Map and ad-dresses will be provided at the conference.
6:00 PM Upper Peninsula History Awards Banquet
Cisler Center, Lake Superior State University
Join us for our annual Upper Peninsula History Awards Banquet, where HSM will present the Charles Follo Award and the Superior Award. Bruce Lynn will be our keynote following the awards (see box above).
Sunday, June 24
9:30-10:45 AM Walking Tour of City Hall and Historic Water Street
Tour Leaders: Spencer Nebel and Caroline Grabowski Participants will gather for the tour at City Hall’s Water Street entrance, 225 E. Portage Avenue.
Join us for a guided historical tour through the Sault’s City Hall and historic Water Street district. Together, we will visit numerous relevant buildings and learn how they helped shape Sault Ste. Marie’s past while being an important element in its present.
Holiday Inn Express 1171 Riverview Way
Sault Ste. Marie
The Holiday Inn Express will be the conference hotel for the 2012 UP History Conference with a special rate of
$79.00 To make a reservation, call:
(800) 632-7879 When reserving, ask for the “Historical Society rate” or give the code “UPC” to get the HSM rate. Room release date is June 1.
After that date, rooms will be honored at the special rate on a space available basis only.
Robert Money, Co-chair (deceased)
Chippewa County Historical Society Trustee, Historical Society
of Michigan
Larry Wagenaar, Co-chair Historical Society of Michigan
Mary Anne Smith Conference Administrator
Historical Society of Michigan
Sharon Dorrity Lake Superior State University
Annegret Goehring Eastern UP History Consortium
Susan James Chippewa County Historical Society
Mary M. June Chippewa County Historical Society
Bruce Lynn Great Lakes Shipwreck Society
Margaret Money Historical Society of Michigan
Nancy Steinhaus Bayliss Public Library
UP Awards Banquet & Closing Keynote Saturday 6 PM
Lighthouses of the Shipwreck Coast
Bruce Lynn Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society
In 1846, New York Tribune editor Horace
Greeley lamented the lack of navigational aids on Lake Superior when he wrote; “On the
whole of the lake there is not a lighthouse nor any harbor other than such holes in the rock-bound coast as nature has perforated.” Not
long after, a stone lighttower was constructed at Whitefish Point. This was followed by other
lightstations, and later U.S. Life Saving Stations. Join Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum Operations
Manager Bruce Lynn on a tour of the lights that guided ships along Superior’s infamous Shipwreck Coast.
2012 Upper Peninsula Conference
Planning Committee
R E G I S T R A T I O N F O R M
63rd Annual Upper Peninsula History Conference June 22-24, 2012
Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan Registration Deadline: June 15, 2012
Name ______________________________________________________________________________________________
Address _____________________________________________________________________________________________
City _____________________________________________ State _______________ Zip __________
Daytime phone # ______________________________ E-mail _________________________________________________
Names of additional attendees: _______________________________ _______________________________
Special meals: ___ Vegetarian. Please CIRCLE names above that require vegetarian meals.
Full conference fees include Friday dinner at the Cisler Center, Saturday lunch, UP Awards Banquet, Sunday morning walking tour, and
all regular sessions. Saturday “Day-Only” registration includes all daytime sessions and Saturday lunch. Saturday “Day-Only”
registration does NOT include the evening UP Awards Banquet. Pre-conference workshop and tours are additional. No refunds after
6/15/2012.
FULL CONFERENCE: SATURDAY DAY-ONLY:
Includes three meals, all sessions & events except pre-conference tours/workshop. NOTE: Does NOT include Saturday evening Awards Banquet.
# Attending Cost Total # Attending Cost Total
HSM Member Rate: _________ x $119 $_______ HSM Member Rate: ________ x $79 ______
Non-Member Rate: _________ x $149 $_______ Non-Member Rate: ________ x $109 ______
Includes 1-year HSM membership Includes 1-year HSM membership
Pre-Conference Workshop and Tours:
_________ x $25* “Developing Collections” $_______
Pick ONE tour per person—they operate concurrently:
_________ x $15 Tour #1: Cloverland Hydroelectric Plant and $_______
Lake Superior State University Historical Walking Tour
_________ x $15 Tour #2: Walking Tour of the International Bridge Plaza $_______
*$25 workshop fee, if you are also registering for the conference. If registering only for the workshop, see workshop description for fee.
TOTAL ENCLOSED: ________________
Check Enclosed Credit Card Credit Card # __________________________________________________
CVV Code: _______ (V/MC/DC on back; AMEX on front) Expiration date: __________ Billing zip code:_____________
Mail to: 2012 UP History Conference, HSM, 5815 Executive Drive, Lansing, MI 48911 or fax to (517) 324-4370 or register by phone toll-free at (800) 692-1828 or online at www.hsmichigan.org
Conference Registration Deadline Is June 15, 2012
Walk-in registrations for Saturday are welcome, but will not include lunch.
Registration discount for local Chippewa County residents
The Chippewa County Historical Society is our host for the 2012 UP History Conference. HSM is offering a registration discount to residents of Chippewa County, the home of our host institution, which is one of the local historical organization’s benefits for hosting
this annual conference. The discount is $30 off Full Conference Registration or $20 off Saturday “Day-Only” Registration.
Your primary residence must be in Chippewa County to qualify for this discount.
Register at www.hsmichigan.org
or call toll-free (800) 692-1828.
Register online at www.hsmichigan.org or call toll-free (800) 692-1828
The Historical Society of Michigan 5815 Executive Drive Lansing, Michigan 48911
Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage
PAID Permit No. 512
Lansing, MI
63rd Annual
Upper Peninsula History Conference
June 22-24, 2012
2012 UP History Conference Locations
Water Street District
