Upper Peninsula History Conference marks 63rd year June 22-24, 2012

SAULT STE. MARIE--The Historical Society of Michigan's 63rd annual Upper Peninsula History Conference will be held June 22-24, 2012 in Sault Ste. Marie. The conference is hosted and sponsored by Lake Superior State University and the Chippewa County Historical Society. The three-day event will begin Friday morning with a pre-conference workshop discussing various aspects of collection development. Later in the afternoon, attendees can elect to attend one of two tours. While one will take visitors to both the Cloverland Hydroelectric Plant as well as Lake Superior State University, the second will take participants on a walking tour of the International Bridge Plaza. The evening will come to a close with an outdoor BBQ at the Cisler Center Courtyard, followed by a performance by Mike Fornes of Whispers of the North, a Gordon Lightfoot tribute band. On Saturday, speakers will present lectures and sessions that consider various aspects of Sault Ste. Marie and Upper Peninsula history. Keynotes and sessions will cover topics such as: * Mackinac in the War of 1812 * The Means and Methods of Crossing the St. Marys River at Sault Ste. Marie * Murders in the Upper Peninsula's History * Kincheloe Air Force Base * The Sandstone Architecture of the Lake Superior Region * The Impact of Missionaries on Native Americans in the Upper Peninsula * The Gorto Site Discovery *The Unceded Status of Sugar Island *Shallow Shipwrecks Near Whitefish Point * The History of the Tahquamenon * Chase S. Osborn, Michigan's Only Governor from the Upper Peninsula Attendees can also participate in mini-workshops covering topics such as inexpensive re-photography projects and ways that historical societies can build partnerships with local schools. In the late afternoon, visitors can visit and tour downtown historical sites, which include the Chippewa County Historical Society Museum, Objibwe Learning Center and Library, River of History Museum, and the Soo Theatre. Afterward, the evening ends with the Upper Peninsula History Awards Banquet. There, HSM will present the Charles Follo and Superior awards. Afterward, keynote speaker Bruce Lynn will present "Lighthouses of the Shipwreck Coast." On Sunday morning, the conference will end with a guided tour of Sault Ste. Marie's City Hall and historic Water Street district. Registration for the full event (including three meals, Sunday morning walking tour, and all regular sessions) is $119 for members of the Historical Society of Michigan and $149* for non-members. Admission for Saturday-only (which does not include the Saturday evening awards banquet) is $79 for HSM members and $109* for non-members. A discount on conference registration is available to Chippewa County residents in honor of our host institution. All pre-conference tours are $15 each (full conference registration is required). The pre-conference workshop is $25 with conference registration. Without conference registration, the workshop is $49 for HSM members and $79* for non-members. For more information or to register online, Click Here or call (800) 692-1828. Published: Thu, Apr 26, 2012