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Labor of love

Volunteers to restore Mather-Klauer Lodge on Grand Island

Volunteers with HistoriCorps rehabilitate the roof of the Mather-Klauer Lodge on the archaeologically rich Grand Island in 2015. More work is planned for this summer. (Photo courtesy of HistoriCorps)

GRAND ISLAND — HistoriCorps, the national nonprofit dedicated to preserving historic structures on public lands, is recruiting volunteers to restore Mather-Klauer Lodge on Grand Island.

Mather-Klauer Lodge is located a half-mile offshore from Munising. The island has been inhabited for 4,000 years and is noted for its many archaeological sites.

Much of the island was purchased in the early 1900s by William Gwinn Mather for use as a private game preserve. He built Mather-Klauer Lodge as his retreat and brought elk and caribou to the island. Later additions doubled the size of the Lodge.

It remained in private hands until 2012, when the owners offered to sell it to the Hiawatha National Forest. It is now a museum and hosts summer archaeological field schools. The building needs work to maintain its condition in the harsh Great Lakes winters.

There will be three consecutive project sessions this summer, each one lasting a week. The first session runs July 30 to Aug. 4. The second runs Aug. 6-11 while the third runs Aug. 13-18. Each session is also open to students enrolled with the HistoriCorps Institute. Volunteers must enroll for a minimum of one session.

One way or another, the HistoriCorps trucks always get to the project site. This image was taken during the 2015 work at the lodge. (Photo courtesy of HistoriCorps)

All are welcome and no experience is needed. Those aged 14 to 17 years must have a parent or guardian in attendance. The challenge level is regarded as medium, in that it involves climbing and working on the lodge’s roof. Volunteers will remove and replace roof shingles, restore plywood roof elements and rehabilitate chimney faces.

Munising is the nearest town and features all amenities but as Mather-Klauer Lodge sits on an island, the town is accessible only by boat. HistoriCorps will organize a free boat transfer for volunteers.

As there is no motorized transport on the island, we recommend that volunteers bring or rent bicycles when they arrive and pedal to the work site. HistoriCorps will transport volunteers’ gear to allow an unencumbered ride on the island.

HistoriCorps will provide appropriate training, all tools and all meals. Volunteers are responsible for bringing their own camping supplies and proper working attire. Volunteers provide their own transport.

For more information about all HistoriCorps projects, or to register as a volunteer, please contact Liz Rice, volunteer manager, at 720-390-6085 or visit http://historicorps.org/events/mather-klauer-lodge-2017/.

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