A 1930s picture of Henry Ford's sawmill community of Alberta, just south of L’Anse, is seen. (Photo courtesy of the Baraga County Historical Society)

BARAGA COUNTY– The Baraga County Historical Society is holding a ribbon cutting to open the Alberta pump house to the public and celebrate the work done on the historic sawmill. The event will start at 3 p.m. Friday at the pump house. The event is free to attend and all are welcomed.

“We, as the Baraga County Historical Society, are going to be occupying the little building by the sawmill,” said Historical Society chairperson Mike DesRochers. “There is going to be a little museum there. The ribbon cutting is more of an event for that but we also want to show the work done on the sawmill.”

The Ford sawmill and pump house are located 10 miles south of L’Anse, and have been a long standing reminder of Henry Ford’s impact on the Upper Peninsula.

“Ford used the wood for his use and his cars,” said DesRochers. “He bought thousands of acres in the U.P… “He and a lot of his executives spent time in Big Bay as well.”

The ceremony will feature remarks from Michigan Tech and Baraga County Historical Society members, and special guest Todd Bryan, the president of the Henry Ford Heritage Association. Event attendees will have the opportunity to tour the pump house which is now the new Historic Ford Welcome Center as well as meeting with preservation members to learn about the history of Ford in the U.P.

“We are proud to celebrate the preservation of the Ford Alberta sawmill and the opening of the Ford Welcome Center,” said Paula McElroy president of the Baraga County Historical Society. “This project, spearheaded by Chairperson Mike DesRochers and his historical society committee, reflects our commitment to preserving our local history for present and future generations and committing to the cultural enrichment of the community.”

Antonio Anderson can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 550. His email address is aanderson@miningjournal.net.