A Michigan Humanities Council Grant has given us the opportunity to launch two major exhibitions. Created by the Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center and the Marquette Regional History Center, these exhibits both open on February 1, 2017. In addition, grant funds will support the promotion of all the events taking place throughout the county during the commemoration.
The Beaumier Center will use the funds to create the exhibit; “Soldier Stories: the U.P. in WWI,” which will be on display February 1 – June 15, 2017. The Center is working with historical societies and families in the Upper Peninsula to collect the stories of individual soldiers, including their personal histories and experiences in the conflict. One part of the exhibit will focus on the formation of the American Legion and the individual posts that were formed in the Upper Peninsula. most of which were named after a soldier from the community who was lost or gained distinction in the conflict. The exhibit will also feature U.P. soldiers who served in the Northern Russia Expeditionary Force during the conflict. This little known and poorly understood part of WWI impacted several dozen soldiers from the U.P. In 1918, as a response to a cease fire between Germany and Russia, there was an alliance of British, French, Canadian and U.S. troops who were sent to Northern Russia and Siberia to fight against the newly formed Bolshevik government troops. Nearly 100 men from the U.P. served in the “Polar Bears” (the nickname for these units) some of whom were highly decorated and some who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
The exhibit, World War I Remembered: How Marquette County Served
will run from January 16- June 10 at the Marquette Regional History Center. The exhibit will examine why the Great War is the most significant event of the 20th century and how it continues to shape our world one hundred years later. Visitors will learn of the events leading up to the war, as well as the legacy left in its wake, explore the impact of the 32nd Division, whom the French named Les Terribles, read first-hand accounts of soldiers and sailors from Marquette County and discover the role of the local Red Cross and life on the homefront during the war.
WWI films at the Peter White Public Library
All films to be showing in the Community Room
Admission is Free
January 16 at 6:30 p.m. – Grand Illusion (1937) Directed by Jean Renoir.
February 2 at 12:30p.m. – Testament of Youth (2014) Directed by James Kent.
February 13 at 6:30 p.m. – A Very Long Engagement (2004) Directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet.
March 13 at 6:30 p.m. – Gallipoli (1981) Directed by Peter Weir.
April 10 at 6:30p.m. – Legends of the Fall (1994) Directed by Edward Zwick.
April 20 at 6:30 p.m. – War Horse (2011) Directed by Steven Spielberg.
May 8 at 6:30 p..m. – Paths of Glory (1957) Directed by Stanley Kubrick.
May 11 at 6:00 p.m. – The Wiper Times (2013) Directed by Any De Emmony.
May 16 at 6 p.m. – Sergeant York (1941) Directed by Howard Hawks.
Grand Opening of WWI exhibitions
Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center and the Marquette Regional History Center
February 1, 2017 – 7 p.m.
Admission is Free
“The Great War” presented by Military Historian John Moschetti
On February 22, 6:30 at MRHC. The outcomes of The Great War set the stage for the rise of the communist and fascist dictators, World War II, The Cold War and the current chaos in the Middle East and Balkans. It also had a major impact on the members of this community as it was the first time large numbers of young men would leave this area to take part in a war. Attendees will have a better understanding of the war, its legacy and impact on the community and the world.
WWI Symposium
Lectures and papers delivered on the history of WWI and its connection to the Upper Peninsula.
April 6
Mead Auditorium, Northern Michigan University
Time: TBA
American and French Posters from the Great War
From the Marquette Regional History Center's permanent collection
American and French Posters from the Great War
From the Marquette Regional History Center's permanent collection
The exhibit runs May 2-31 at the Peter White Public Library in the Huron Mountain Gallery and is free and open to the public. The display is part of the WWI Remembered Series, honoring the U.S.' entry into World War I in April of 1917.
World War I was the first time posters were widely used for a political cause. Countries around the world made use of the media to gather support and patriotism in general and for specific needs such as for enlistment, Red Cross support, war bonds and food conservation. The exhibit is curated by the Marquette Regional History Center.
Downton Abbey Dance with music from WWI era
Thursday, May 4, 2017 from 7:00-9:00pm.
Peter White Public Library, Community Room
The Westerly Winds Big Band will be performing music of the World War eras. Décor will be in a Downton Abbey theme and attendees are encouraged to dress in their favorite Downton decade style. Refreshments will be served and there is no admission charge.
Downton Abbey is the popular Emmy Award and Golden Globe Award winning British-American television series created by Julian Fellowes that aired for on PBS' Masterpiece series from 2011-2015. Set in the fictional Yorkshire country estate of Downton Abbey between 1912 and 1925, the series follows the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and their domestic servants in the post-Edwardian era.
“World War I Remembered”
A special ceremony honoring scouting in the Upper Peninsula.
May 13 at Sugar Loaf Mountain.
9a.m. to 5p.m., special activities along the trail
1 p.m. – Ceremony at the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain
The event celebrates Troop 1 of Marquette, which was founded by Perry Hatch in 1910. Several members of that Troop fought in the first World War I and one, Bart King, did not return from the war. This obelisk at the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain was erected in his honor by members of Troop 1 in 1921.
In the Trenches: A School Group Focus on WWI
For upper Middle and High School Students.
May 15th-19th at the Marquette Regional History Center.
Each school group will visit the History Center for 1.5-2 hours and take part in an immersive activity. Students will gain appreciation of WWI era infantry combat as their group is taken through the Battle of Cierges, as the 63rd Brigade: 125th & 126th Regiments of Michigan National Guard. Using sight, sound, and touch in an indoor setting, students will be taken out of their comfort zones to gain an understanding of what soldiers had to endure in battle.
Groups may be up to 50 students, the half hour trench scenario is carried out in groups of 25 at a time while other students meed an infantry soldier from the U.P. (reenactor) and explore the Special Exhibit, WWI Remembered: How Marquette County Served, and our main gallery. Groups will then switch so each student experiences both programs. Ask Betsy for Specifics on numbers and time-frame for your group.
Reserve your date! Time slots are available morning and afternoon May 15-19
$2-Student $5-Adult
Call today or Email: 906-226-3571 betsy@marquettehistory.org
Michigamme Historical Museum
Michigamme Historical Museum is opened from Memorial Day to Labor Day from noon to 5. We have local pictures and artifacts of our WWl veterans. Also during our summer opening period we will have a self cemetery walk for the 45 WWl veterans buried in Lakeview cemetery. A map of their locations will be available at the Museum.
The Ishpeming Area Historical Society
They will feature WWI artifacts throughout much of the museum this summer, from May through September. In May and September we will be open only on Mondays from 10-4, but for June, July and August, we will be open on Thursday and Friday from 10-4, and also during the Festival of Treasures.
The Society will also present a Cemetery Tour on Sunday, July 9th, from 1-4 pm at the Ishpeming Cemetery on Deer Lake Avenue. The tour will feature 7 presenters talking about various World War I veterans and also a nurse and a ship builder.