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Keweenaw National Historical Park
Fourth Thursday in History: History of the Calumet Schools

Students pose outside the Old Washington School in Calumet in 1915.
Keweenaw NHP Archives, Curto Collection
Students pose outside the Old Washington School in Calumet in 1915.

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Date: January 16, 2008
Contact: Kathleen Harter, (906) 337-1104, ext. 230

The Calumet and Hecla Mining Company set the gold standard for education in the Copper Country. The company invested heavily in the schools of the mining community in order to attract a stable workforce grounded in a family-oriented society, and as the population increased, so did the number of schools; in time there were over 30 public and private schools in the area. Join Jeremiah Mason as he describes their history.

Mason, a graduate of the CLK school system, will use historical photographs to illustrate and describe the history of these schools. C&H built Washington School in 1875 under the direction of its president, Alexander Agassiz, who was also a noted scientist. It soon became known as the best in the state, and was considered to be among the best in the nation. Under Agassiz's influence, the company's commitment to public education extended beyond the Washington School, keeping pace with the growth of the community; in years to come, children would be able to attend schools in their own neighborhoods. As the population of the Calumet and Laurium area decreased, so did the number of schools. Some remain as boarded up behemoths on street corners, while others exist only in the memories of their former students.

This presentation will take place on Thursday, January 24th at 7:00 p.m. It will be held in the study hall at Calumet High School, located at 57070 Mine Street in Calumet.

The Fourth Thursday in History series arranges public presentations on important aspects of Copper Country and regional history, including techniques for historic preservation. Presentations are scheduled in venues throughout the Keweenaw Peninsula, particularly at historic sites associated with specific topics. They are free and open to the public. Additional support for this event is being provided by CLK Schools.

For further information, including specific directions to this event, contact Keweenaw National Historical Park at (906) 337-3168.  

 

Announcement of Upcoming Fourth Thursday in History Events

So Cold a Sky, Upper Michigan Weather Stories
with Karl Bonhak
February 28, 2008
Hancock Middle School, Hancock

Writing Seasons of Faith
with Angela Johnson
March 27, 2008
St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church, Houghton

The 6th Annual High School Local History Smackdown
April 26, 2008
The Calumet Theatre, Calumet

For more detailed information on upcoming events, contact Keweenaw National Historical Park at (906) 337-3168.

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Autumn leaves provide a backdrop for the Quincy Smelting Works located along Portage Lake across from Houghton, Michigan.

Did You Know?
The Quincy Smelting Works is the only copper smelter in the Great Lakes region still standing in substantial condition. It reflects the technology of the time, the industrial processes critical to the industry and the workplace of the people who produced copper for industrial and domestic uses.
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Last Updated: January 16, 2008 at 16:35 MST