Found in a small town across the Upper Peninsula, the museum captures visitors by telling the stories of the local community. In the Keweenaw Peninsula, the Copper Range Museum tells the stories of families and workers who lived in towns like Trimountain, South Range, and Painesdale. Many people who stop in the museum are often searching to learn more about their family tree. Inside the museum are old photos of ice harvesting, glass bottles from the South Range Bottling Company, and even a stack of checks marking payment for a miner’s work week dating back to the 1900s.
And it’s amazing they’ll find ‘oh my gosh, this is my grandfather’s check from 1904’ from the tri-mountain mine, or painesdale mine, or baltic, wherever. And it’s kind of interesting to see their face light up with enthusiasm or a bit of nostalgia when they do find that kind of stuff. – Robert Marcheschi, board trustee, Copper Range Historical Society
Board trustee Bob Marcheschi says more people have stopped in the museum in recent years. Many visitors, he adds, stop in on vacation, either discovering a new place or rediscovering familiar roots. The Copper Range Museum is one of 26 heritage sites in the western upper peninsula connected to the Keweenaw National Historic Park.
The Ontonagon museum in Rockland. They’ve got excellent displays. The displays in Houghton and at the mine sites, and so forth, Michigan Tech’s archives have a lot of information for any further research. But just in general, kind of feel out where their interests are. Because I think the museum and the heritage sites have a lot going for them. – Robert Marcheschi, board trustee, Copper Range Historical Society
Every item displayed in the Copper Range Museum was a part of someone’s life in the community. Marcheschi pointed out an old school desk that he had once sat at when he attended the old South Range Elementary School. Other items, such as hats on display or carpentry tools, were donated to the museum by former residents.
“We rely on donations of money and goods. But we want it to be donated from the local area. Something that has a history with the area. From a barber shop to a dentist’s office. You’ll find different things. And of course, the mines. – Robert Marcheschi, board trustee, Copper Range Historical Society
Tonight, the Copper Range Historical Society hosts its annual members’ dinner and meeting. Marcheschi expects Finnish and friends Jim Kurtti to share a presentation on saunas in the region.
“But we do try to outreach to people to get them interested. We have the schools come in for an open house. And some people will take them through and explain things. The very young grades, and all up to the high school grades. And we hope that they will catch on to the feeling of community and join us. – Robert Marcheschi, board trustee, Copper Range Historical Society
The dinner will begin at 5:30 pm at Grace Lutheran Church. Go online to learn more about the Copper Range Historical Society and how to get involved.
