Partners in Preservation: Old Northwest Historic Preservation

Old Northwest volunteer crews work to preserve Isle Royale's historic structures, including cottage and resort buildings.

Janet Dunn

2023 marks the 23rd year Old Northwest has recruited and led cultural resource volunteers for service on Isle Royale. These volunteer crews began in 1997 as an opportunity for high school students to complete community-service hours, and evolved into an adult volunteer program.

Each year, crews of 5 to 7 individuals spend weeks in June repairing roofs, shoring up foundations, refurbishing doors and windows, painting building exteriors, clearing brush, and repairing docks.

These are self-funded efforts. In addition to their generous donations of time and skills, each volunteer makes a monetary donation to pay for the materials, supplies, and tools needed to accomplish each season’s projects.

John Dunn, Old Northwest Historic Preservation