The Great Outdoors:
The History of Recreation in Marquette County
July 20, 2020 - April 10, 2021
Marquette Regional History Center Special Exhibit Gallery
Marquette Regional History Center Special Exhibit Gallery
Bicycling | Birding | Cross Country Skiing | Dog Sled Racing | Downhill Skiing | Guts Frisbee | Ice Skating | Luge | Paddling
Rock & Ice Climbing | Running | Scuba Diving | Ski Jumping | Snowshoeing | Trails | Wildlife Photography
Rock & Ice Climbing | Running | Scuba Diving | Ski Jumping | Snowshoeing | Trails | Wildlife Photography
Before the city of Marquette was founded in 1849, hunting, fishing, berry picking and snowshoeing were all part of the day to day lives of the Anishinaabe. These activities were a necessary part of the frontier life as well. By the 1870s and 1880s, there was more time and organization for recreational activities. Scandinavian immigrants brought skiing to the area. At the same time, Victorian culture emphasized sport and physical fitness and popularized walking, bicycling and snow shoeing clubs. For generations ice skating, swimming, berry picking, and fishing have been a part of the local culture.
Marquette’s hilly terrain and varied water courses from inland lakes, rivers and reservoirs to Lake Superior’s open water have offered many opportunities for recreation. Large tracts of land are undeveloped, and there is access to both public and private lands. Around the 1930s, economic leaders pushed for development of outdoor recreation activities, events, and facilities in order to promote tourism. Outdoor recreation classes and teams at Northern Michigan University, including cross country skiing, scuba, and rock climbing have all helped further these activities in the community as well.
Marquette’s hilly terrain and varied water courses from inland lakes, rivers and reservoirs to Lake Superior’s open water have offered many opportunities for recreation. Large tracts of land are undeveloped, and there is access to both public and private lands. Around the 1930s, economic leaders pushed for development of outdoor recreation activities, events, and facilities in order to promote tourism. Outdoor recreation classes and teams at Northern Michigan University, including cross country skiing, scuba, and rock climbing have all helped further these activities in the community as well.
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This exhibit was formed thanks to Dr. Jacqueline Medina, Professor of Health and Human Performance, who has conducted over twelve oral history interviews with pioneers in outdoor recreation since January of 2020. These are being transcribed and will be stored at the J.M. Longyear Research Library here at the History Center for researchers.
This exhibit is made possible in part by a grant from the Michigan Humanities Council, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this project do not necessarily represent those of the NEH or the MHC.
This exhibit is made possible in part by a grant from the Michigan Humanities Council, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this project do not necessarily represent those of the NEH or the MHC.
Take a peek into the exhibit as it appears in the museum gallery and look around.
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Kay Hultgren Freeman
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Gathering the oral histories inspired by this exhibit is an ongoing project. These are the current recreationists who were interviewed by Jacquie and included in the exhibit:
Robert Belanger Sue Belanger Sam Crowley Sten Fjeldheim Kay Freeman Rob Schmidt Scot Stewart Bill Thompson George and Bettey Tomasi Nancy Uschold Dr. Phil Watts Rico Zenti This exhibit focuses on these individual stories and their activities. Though not complete, these are a vital part of the story of outdoor recreation in Marquette County. Enjoy excerpts from these interviews here on this digital exhibit. |
Enjoy the Exhibit through Topics of Recreation
Ski Jumping | Snowshoeing | Downhill Skiing | Cross Country Skiing | Ice Skating | Luge
Dog Sled Racing | Rock & Ice Climbing | Paddling | Wildlife Photography | Birding
Trails | Running | Guts Frisbee | Bicycling | Scuba Diving
Dog Sled Racing | Rock & Ice Climbing | Paddling | Wildlife Photography | Birding
Trails | Running | Guts Frisbee | Bicycling | Scuba Diving
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Thank you to all those who shared their stories with us in their interviews.
Thanks to the volunteers who helped with transcription and exhibit preparation: Alice Johnson, Meredith Kulishek, Helen Nyquist Thank you to others for their contributions of photos, information and artifacts: Tom Buchkoe, Matt Calcaterra, Don Fassbender, Andy Gregg, Steve Lindberg, Greg Potvin Many thanks to Jacquie Medina for her ongoing work. |
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