National Park Service Park News U.S. Department of the Interior The official newspaper of Keweenaw National Historical Park and the Keweenaw Heritage Sites The Keweenaw Guide Summer 2012 Issue Welcome from the Keweenaw Seasons Park Superintendent Welcome to Keweenaw IF You’re lIKE MOST PEOPLE You’re prOBABLY READING THIS Visitors who do their homework will find many of the Keweenaw National Historical Park, article during a beautiful Copper Country summer month. Keween- Heritage Sites are open to the public in the winter, often by means one of 397 units in your aw National Historical Park and its 19 Heritage Sites typically receive of self-guided grounds tours. Popular winter activities include cross National Park System. the bulk of their visitors in July and August, when days are usually country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling. Travel by snow- This year marks the park’s warm and sunny. The Copper Country is full of adventures waiting mobile allows for much of the same access to sites as traveling by 20th anniversary. The to be experienced during the summer. Have you ever wondered car does. All winter recreationists are asked to be extra mindful in park was established by about the adventures that fall, winter, and spring have to offer? the winter months of safety hazards and of protecting our treasured an action of Congress signed by President cultural resources. Deep snow often obscures holes, historic struc- George Bush on October 27, 1992, and our Autumn may be one of the best times of year to be in the Copper tures and artifacts, so please stay on designated trails. legislation charges us with telling the story Country. Many of the Keweenaw Heritage Sites are open through of copper on the Keweenaw Peninsula and the fall, and their historic landscapes are transformed by the beauty Spring brings a lot of moisture to the Copper Country in the form of preserving associated historic structures, of colorful fall foliage. Timing peak fall color tours can be tricky, rain, but also as runoff from melting snow.T he ground can be soggy landscapes, and other resources. We in the National Park Service are proud to do this, but well worth the effort. Generally, late September to mid-October and muddy. You’ll enjoy your visit much more if you come prepared along with our many important park part- is the best time to plan a color tour. Many fall color tours, such as with rain gear! Nonetheless, spring has lots to offer. Days get longer ners. Our national parks protect some of the Brockway Mountain Drive or M-107 in the Porcupine Mountains, and warmer with temperatures reaching the 60s. Flowers start to nation’s most treasured places and provide take you to the doorstep of several Keweenaw Heritage Sites. bloom, and the bays and inlets of Lake Superior are freeing of ice. opportunities for meaningful experiences for our visitors. Keweenaw is one of those spe- Winter offers a tremendous array of activities, including the Heikin- No matter what time of year you find yourself in the Copper Coun- cial places. In October 2011, we opened the paiva Mid-Winter Festival and Michigan Tech’s Winter Carnival. try, be sure to include the Keweenaw Heritage Sites in your travel Calumet Visitor Center which is the park’s Cheer on the mushers and dogs racing in the Copper Dog 150, and itinerary. Many people find it helpful to begin their visit with a stop first such facility. Make it a priority to stop check out the Great Bear Chase Nordic ski event. These events help at Keweenaw National Historical Park’s Calumet Visitor Center, and experience this wonderful building and you explore the enchanting winter season and the snow-blanketed located at 98 Fifth Street in downtown Calumet. The visitor center its exhibits, and learn about our formal landscape. Each of them provides a glimpse of local pride, strong is open year round, and is staffed by National Park Service rangers partners, the Keweenaw Heritage Sites. Talk sense of heritage and the fun spirit of the people who make the who are able to help you plan your visit in any season. with park staff to discover more about the park and how you can best experience it, Copper Country their home. By Valerie Newman, Interpretive Specialist and be sure to visit as many of the Heritage Sites as possible to experience the park most fully. Keweenaw NHP was engineered by park founders and Congress to oper- ate based upon effective partnerships. The National Park Service works closely with many important partners, including the Keweenaw NHP Advisory Commission, the nineteen Heritage Sites, the Isle Royale and Keweenaw Parks Association, the National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation, local governments and organizations, and the community at large. We all work together to support this worthy preservation effort. If you are interested in learning more about our partnerships and how you can get involved, please visit our website at www. nps.gov/kewe. We hope your visit is reward- ing. Experience the places, learn the stories, and share your discoveries with others. Mike Pflaum, Park Superintendent Ice build-up along Lake Superior shoreline at Eagle Harbor Lighthouse. Young students visiting the newly opened Calumet Visitor Center. Maps 7 Heritage Sites 4-5 Bookstore 6 Inside this Newspaper Visitor Information …………………… 2 Park News ……………………………… 3 Keweenaw Heritage Sites ......…… 4-5 Park Bookstore ………………………… 6 Calumet & Quincy Maps ..……………7 These maps will help you explore the The map and information on these pages Want to learn about the history of the Calumet & Quincy areas of the park. will help you visit our park partners. Copper Country? Check out these items. Interpretive Services …………………. 8 National Park Service Visitor Services And Facilities U.S. Department of the Interior Calumet VISITOR CENTER FOOD AND Restaurants The Calumet Visitor Center, A variety of restaurants are lo- Accessibility located at 98 Fifth Street in cated throughout the Keweenaw The Calumet Visitor Center Calumet, provides park Peninsula. Grocery stores are also available Keweenaw National Historical Park and the information desk at Keweenaw National Historical Park was information, 6,000 square feet of in all major communities. Quincy Mine are accessible. Other established to preserve and interpret the exhibits, and an association sales outlet. National Park Service facilities located in natural and cultural resources related Hours of Operations Camping historic structures, and several Keweenaw to the copper mining industry for the Winter: Thursday - Saturday Numerous camping options Heritage Sites, are not accessible at this enjoyment and benefit of current and 9:00am - 5:00pm are available across the time. Information on which sites have ac- future generations through cooperative Summer: Seven days a week Keweenaw Peninsula. Fort Wilkins, efforts and partnerships with state and local cessible facilities is located on the back page 9:00am - 6:00pm Porcupine Mountains, McLain, Baraga governments, public and private entities. of the newspaper. Sites indicated as acces- Closed on select federal holidays. and Twin Lakes state parks have public sible may require assistance in certain areas. Mailing Address campgrounds. Community-operated and Other parts of the site may not be accessible. Keweenaw National Historical Park Keweenaw NHP INFOrmatiON DESK private campgrounds are also available. Contact the sites directly for further infor- 25970 Red Jacket Road Located at the entrance to the For more information, contact the mation on accessibility prior to your visit. Calumet, MI 49913 Quincy Mine Gift Shop, staff Keweenaw Convention and Visitors E-mail from the National Park Service provide Bureau at 1-800-338-7982 or visit [email protected] SPECIAL EVENTS travel and trip planning information about www.keweenaw.info. Website Many local communities and Heritage Sites the park and Keweenaw Heritage Sites and www.nps.gov/kewe offer special events including parades, musi- above ground ruins tours. LODGING Park Headquarters Phone Number cal performances, theatrical presentations, Phone (906) 482-0650 (summer only) A full range of hotels, motels, (906) 337-3168 festivals, and more. Check the schedule of Thursday - Saturday bed and breakfast inns, and Fax Number events page on the park’s website. (906) 337-3169 June 28 to August 18, 2012 cabins are found across the 9:00am - 5:00pm Keweenaw Peninsula. Contact the 2012 Keweenaw Guide Keweenaw Convention and Visitors Bureau Design and layout: Kathleen Harter Editor: Jo Urion, Kristine Bradof for more information. 1-800-338-7982 or Contributors: Steve DeLong, Ross www.keweenaw.info. Freshwater, Valerie Newman, Keith Payne, Left: Remnants of the copper mining industry can be seen throughout the park and Keweenaw Peninsula. Mike Pflaum, John Rosemurgy, Jo Urion, Center: The visitor reception area in the newly Lucas Westcott opened Calumet Visitor Center. Printing of The Keweenaw Guide courtesy Right: Visitors touring Delaware Mine surface ruins. of the Isle Royale and Keweenaw Parks Association. Printed by Vertis Communications Printed on recycled paper using agri-based inks. Please Recycle. The National Park Service cares for the special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage. Landscape Notes RESIDENTS AND REPEAT VISITORS TO THE KEWEENAW PENINSULA MAY HAVE NOTICED history and share it with visitors. Also completed were signs marking NPS-operated facili- something new on the landscape last year: park signs! Last spring, the National Park Service ites, including the park’s new Visitor Center in Calumet, and the sign marking the Quincy began installing distinctive brown and white signs to help visitors find their way to nineteen Unit along US Highway 41, a twin to the one that has marked the Calumet Unit since 2009. Keweenaw Heritage Sites. The Keweenaw Heritage Sites, each independently owned and operated, partner with Keweenaw National Historical Park to preserve Copper Country The sign project required years of planning, consulting, and design work.