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The History Center has received a grant from the Michigan Humanities Council, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities for One World to Another: The History of the Canoe special exhibit. The exhibit is on display through September 1, 2012.

One World to Another:
The History of the Canoe
May 14-September 1, 2012
Explore the use of the canoe by the Ojibwe, fur traders and beyond. This will be one of the first regional exhibits to showcase the living tradition of the canoe.

Historic photographs, artwork, tools and early recollections will be on display.

Members of the National Wooden Canoe Heritage Association will feature prized examples of modern birchbark, early wooden and canvas canoes. 

Funded by the Wooden Canoe Heritage Association and a grant from the Michigan Humanities Council, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. 

Birch Bark Canoe building May 21-26.
Check out the process of building a birch bark canoe over the course of the week, ending on Saturday at Voyageur Days. See below for more info!

Rochelle Dale lashing the gunwhales with spruce roots. She is using an awl to cut the holes in the bark.

Jan Zender carving the ribs of the birch bark canoe with a crooked knife. zenderdalearts.com

Voyageur Days & Ojibwe Artists
Saturday May 26, 10-3 pm at MRHC 
Experience life in the 18th century at the History Center!  Demonstrations bring the fur trade era to life, including building a real birch bark canoe! Visitors of all ages can take part in a fur trade reenactment activity at 11 am or 1 pm. Participants will take on the role of voyageurs or Native Americans to barter and trade with authentic reproductions. Costumed docents will lead them through this scenario at our trading post in the museum. Live voyageur music by Dan Truckey from 11:30-12:30. 
Funded by a grant from the Marquette County Community Foundation.
Also, see demonstrations by local Ojibwe and purchase hand-made, authentic Ojibwe items. Earl Otchingwanigan, of the Keweenaw Bay Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe, will offer a book signing of his award winning co-authored book A Concise Dictionary of Minnesota Ojibwe. Earl created the Ojibwe wigwam and exhibit in the History Center and will give insight on its construction in a discussion at 2 pm.
Free with museum admission.

There are many ways to support the History Center! You can become a member, make a donation to the new building capital campaign, volunteer, or just bring your friends and family by to visit the beautiful, immersive, interactive exhibits which highlight local history from the Paleolithic culture through present day.

We believe the preservation of the cultural and physical history of our area brings an understanding to the past and present, and provides a guide for the future. The Marquette Regional History Center not only maintains exhibits, artifacts and a research library, it is a forum for engaging the community and creating links between people. 
-Our Mission