Keweenaw National Historical Park Advisory Commission Goals and Objectives

Advisory Commission Goals and Objectives as of June 2025.

 

VISION

The Keweenaw National Historical Park is a nationally recognized historical destination. The National Park Service and other partner organizations skillfully convey the area’s copper-mining history using effective interpretive methods and carefully preserved historic resources. Thriving local heritage organizations reflect the community's support, and a strong preservation ethic permeates the Keweenaw.

MISSION

The Keweenaw National Historical Park Advisory Commission provides leadership, education and financial support for the protection, preservation and interpretation of resources related to the story of copper mining on Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Goal 1. Continue to Advise the National Park Service/Keweenaw NHP on planning, preservation, and operational matters.

Objectives:

• Work with legislators to increase the annual base funding for Keweenaw NHP.

• Work with legislators to increase the annual funding limit for the Advisory Commission.

• Explore uses for the historic Quincy Mine Office building.

• Attend weekly park management meetings.

Goal 2. Preserve, interpret, and ultimately transfer ownership of the historic Quincy Smelting Works to the National Park Service or appropriate entity.

Objectives:

• Work with NPS and KEWE to identify appropriate uses for the property while focusing on its preservation and interpretation until such time that NPS can receive the property.

• Complete lead-based paint abatement at the property.

• Work on contingencies through the creation of a task force/committee if the above is not viable.

• Develop cultural landscape and historic structures reports for the property.

• Work with our Heritage Site partner, Quincy Mine Hoist Association, to increase the smelter’s visibility and provide quality visitor experiences at the smelter through interpretive tours and events.

• Conduct a proof-of-concept test at the Quincy Smelter of the various stamp sand capping alternatives identified by Mannik-Smith. Upon completion, choose best alternative and execute full cap of the property inside the fence.

• Replace/update intro signage at gate with new welcome/intro sign.

Goal 3. Promote a historic preservation ethic in Keweenaw region through collaboration and education.

Objectives:

• Continue the school bus grant program to reimburse local schools who would like to visit our Heritage Site partners.

• Collaborate with NPS and Michigan Tech in the development of the Copper Traces educational program, both online and in-person.

• Sponsor continual Historic Preservation Trades workshops in the area.

• Work with conservation partners (The Nature Conservancy, Keweenaw Land trust, KORC, etc.) in the Keweenaw region to introduce the importance of cultural resources in their planning.

• Utilize Copper Country Preservation, Inc. to further historic preservation activities on the Keweenaw.

• Develop a Copper Traces-like program for adults.

• Support and enhance existing and/or novel speaker series devoted to historic preservation, archaeological, and historical research work put on by heritage site partners.

Goal 4. Develop partnerships that encourage and enhance appreciation of the historic resources of the National Park and Keweenaw region.

Objectives:

• Facilitate biannual Heritage Sites meetings attended by more than 75% of the Heritage Sites and invite other like-minded orgs to attend as well.

• Collaborate with Scenic Byway on wayfinding for the Keweenaw region.

• Collaborate with Calumet-area partners (Township, Village, Main Street, DDA, HDC, and Laurium Village) on wayfinding improvements for the Calumet Unit.

• Work with partners to facilitate the holding of -- and identify sustainable funding for -- the History Day competition.

• Acquire (or identify an appropriate owner for) the historic Cliff Mine site and identify appropriate means to interpret and preserve the site.

• Work with the Ontonagon County Historical Society and NPS to bring the Ontonagon Boulder back to the Keweenaw region.

• Continue working with NPS and IRKPA on commissioned art for the Keweenaw region.

• Develop a guidebook for the Keweenaw Heritage Sites that offers information, possible itineraries, and a passport stamp section.

• Work with North Country Trail and/or local trail organizations to create a “Keweenaw spur” for the NCT.

Goal 5. Work to make the Advisory Commission a sustainable enterprise.

Objectives:

• Develop relationships with state and local government officials and representatives.

• Commissioners commit to continual education in the areas of historic preservation and interpretation standards and practices, etc.