The Menominee Range Historical Foundation will host the 74th annual Upper Peninsula Historical Conference June 23-25. Foundation president and historian Bill Cummings and museum manager Dianne Castelaz-Chiapusio discuss plans for the conference, presented annually by the Historical Society of Michigan. (Iron Mountain Daily News photo)

IRON MOUNTAIN — The Upper Peninsula’s past is filled with many stories to be told. Those interested can learn more about the region at the 74th annual Upper Peninsula History Conference June 23-25.

Iron Mountain’s Menominee Range Historical Foundation will host this year’s conference, which is presented annually by the Historical Society of Michigan.

“It’s been close to 20 years since Iron Mountain hosted the three-day event,” MRHF president and historian Bill Cummings said. “HSM rotates to different locations throughout the state each summer.”

The conference was scheduled to take place last year; however, it was switched to a virtual event due to COVID.

“We been preparing for this for probably three years,” he said.

Sessions chosen for the conference came from several “brainstorming” meetings, Cummings said.

The event usually draws 200 to 250 participants, with many of the attendees traveling from lower Michigan.

The history conference will feature several keynote presentations, content sessions, educational workshops, an exhibit hall and walking tours.

The conference kicks off with an open house starting from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Friday, June 23, at the World War II Glider and Military Museum in Iron Mountain.

Also during this time, the Historical Society of Michigan’s Robert Myers will present a workshop “Researching Your Historic House,” at the Kingsford High School auditorium.

Several tour and afternoon sessions are slated from 1 to 4 p.m. They include a Downtown Walking tour, IXL Historical Museum and Jake Menghini Historical Museum and the Cornish Pumping Engine and Mining Museum.

“I will be doing the Downtown Walking tour showing the historical art and architecture of Iron Mountain’s downtown area,” Cummings said.

MRHF members Guy Forstrom and Keith and Jayna Huotari will guide the Cornish Pump Engine and Mining Museum tour, he said.

The MRHF also hopes to allow attendees to get a glimpse at the new museum, Cummings added.

Dennis Larson of the U.P. Veterans War Memorial and Park will give a talk at 1 p.m. Friday, June 23, on how the area was developed into a memorial to honor veterans across the U.P. An outdoor picnic at the pavilion is planned from 6 to 8 p.m.

Activities Saturday, June 24, open at 9 a.m. with a keynote on Lewis Cass’ 1820 expedition into the U.P. at KHS auditorium.

Saturday’s content sessions from 10 to 11 a.m. include “Medal of Honor: Oscar Godfrey Johnson Jr.,” “Industrial Innovation: Ford Motor Company in Kingsford,” “Trapping and Trading: The U.P. Fur Trade,” “Born to Fly: Nancy Harkness Love” and a workshop on mission-focused fundraising.

The day will continue with sessions from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and will feature “Surviving the Mines: Narratives from Norway,” “Soiled Doves: Prostitution on the Menominee Range,” “A Lumber Legend: C.J.L. Meyer and Hermansville,” “Sowing Seeds: Ethnic Farming Communities” and “The Humongous Fungus of Crystal Falls.”

Cummings, who will tell the tale about the Menominee Range’s red-light district, noted that this topic intrigues the audience.

Saturday’s luncheon keynote speaker will be Bruce Lynn from the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, who will present “The Lost Whalebacks: Barge 129 and Sagamore.”

Afternoon discussions include on the story of “Klondike Mike” Mahoney; the story of Cora Reynolds Anderson, the first woman to sit on the Michigan House of Representatives and a member of Baraga’s Native community; Rudy Enstrom’s dream to design and construct a helicopter; and The Whisky-Mich Railroad that ran from Peshtigo, Wis., to Iron Mountain. They also have an archives 101 workshop slated.

“There are some really good programs planned,” Cummings said. “Attendees have a great selection of topics to choose from.”

The U.P. History Awards Banquet begins at 6 p.m. at Pine Grove Country Club, with the keynote address on “Hounds in History: Yooper Dogs at Work and Play,” the historical escapades of man’s four-legged friends.

The U.P. History Awards also will be presented at the banquet. This year’s recipient of the Charles Follo Award is Ann Jousma-Miller of Gladstone.

“Good to showcase U.P. history,” Cummings said. “We are pleased to be able to have a large group in attendance that is interested in history at our museums.”

The full conference itinerary and more are available on HSM’s website at https://www.hsmichigan.org/2023-upper-peninsula-history-conference.

Cost for the Upper Peninsula History Conference starts at $169 for those who register in advance and $179 for walk-in registrations.

The registration deadline is Friday, with walk-in registration ending on June 24. To register online, go to www.hsm.pub/uphc2023.

The lead sponsors for the Upper Peninsula History Conference are The Meijer Foundation, the Michigan Arts and Culture Council and Library of Michigan. Additional sponsors are Tourism Association of the Dickinson County Area, First National Bank and Trust of Iron Mountain, Iron County Historical Society and Museum, Michigan State University Press, Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, Upper Peninsula State Bank, Judy Carlsen and Stormy Kromer.