National Public Lands Day

Celebrate National Public Lands Day at Keweenaw National Historical Park!

Join the “Together for Tomorrow” movement on Saturday, September 28 - Connect with your public lands in three different ways:

 

1. Volunteer Workday

Landscape Clean-up at Calumet & Hecla Industrial Core

Where:

Keweenaw NHP Park Headquarters

When:

Saturday, September 28
9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Details:

Join staff from Keweenaw NHP on Saturday, September 28th, 9 am-12 pm for National Public Lands Day!

In combination with masonry efforts around the industrial core of Calumet, we’re looking to make sure that the Pattern Shop, Drill Shop and others like them are in ship-shape going into the winter. Staff and volunteers will cut brush and pick up trash, to help to preserve these historic structures.

Maintaining a clean and well-preserved cultural landscape is an on-going task that requires continual monitoring and upkeep. With the park’s proximity to the urban environment, every day impacts can quickly accumulate and make for an unsightly landscape. Volunteers will help with park resource management in the Calumet Unit industrial core, working side-by-side with park staff to improve visibility and access to the industrial landscape and to clear brush and vegetation that can lead to damage of historic buildings.

The Industrial Core, located within Keweenaw National Historical Park boundaries and adjacent to the village of Calumet, is a key visitor attraction. Throughout the summer months, visitors routinely tour the area with the aid of established interpretive wayside exhibits and a self-guided brochure. This is also the location for ranger-guided programs.

Primary duties: using hand tools to cut and clear vegetation and plant growth around buildings, rail tracks, and other historic landscapes. Pick-up modern-day trash for disposal. Volunteers will receive appropriate training, guidance, and supervision from park staff work lead.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to: Using hand tools to cut and clear vegetation and plant growth around buildings, rail tracks, and other historic landscapes. Using PPE, pick-up modern-day trash for disposal.

Physical Demands: Standing, walking, bending and may be required. Work happens outdoors on uneven services in a variety of weather conditions. Lifting of moderately heavy objects and using a variety of hand tools (shears, loppers, hand saws, etc) may be necessary.

Be sure to bring water, close-toed shoes, pants, and gloves! Volunteers should park in the lot outside of the Headquarters building at 25970 Red Jacket Rd.

Sign up at the Volunteer.gov website.

 

2. Create & Learn Art Workshop

Creating Silhouette Art to Record History and Tell Stories

Where:

Calumet Visitor Center Activity Room

When:

Saturday, September 28
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Details:

In this afternoon workshop we will look at historic examples and styles of paper art and create silhouettes as a family to take home.

Paper has been the material of artists and scholars since the beginning of time. From early illuminated manuscripts to the revolution of the printing press it has been used to document human beliefs and stories.

In the late 1700s and early 1800s before the use of photography, silhouettes were the main means for average people to possess a portrait. It was a quick and economic choice to capture the likeness of a person. Silhouettes were created as keepsakes and memorials.

Today artists use paper for unique expressions and in some nontraditional ways. Some of the artists we will look at are Nikki McClure who creates cut paper images; Guy Laramee, who makes landscapes from old books; Chie Hitotsuyama who makes detailed animal sculptures from recycled newspaper; and Rogan Brown who makes cut paper microorganisms.

Meet artist Kasey Koski who is creating cut metal sculptures to be installed at the Quincy Dry House who will be leading this activity. Located at the Calumet Visitor Center between 12 pm and 2 pm

Learn more about the Keweenaw NHP Commissioned Artist program:

Commissioned Artist Program - Keweenaw National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

 

3. Wellness Ranger Program at Calumet Lake

Reimagine Recreation: How Environment, Health, & History Connect

Where:

Calumet Lions Park at Calumet Lake

When:

Saturday, September 28
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Details:

Let's get outside and explore together! On National Public Lands Day (NPLD), we are reimagining recreation by exploring the natural environment around Calumet Lake through our senses. Once a barren landscape surrounding an industrial mining pond, Lions Club Park at Calumet Lake has been transformed into a lush public green space. What better way to celebrate NPLD, than taking time to reconnect with nature?

Focusing on the wellness benefits of spending time in nature, this program will feature individually guided exploration of the lakeshore, trail, and recreation area. Participants will use their senses to help guide their experience, slowing down to notice wildlife, investigating clues from the area's mining history that remain, and allowing themselves to connect with their natural surroundings.

This ranger-guided program will be open to any visitors between 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm and you are welcome to arrive at any time during the hour. This program is free and open to all ages! Calumet Lake has parking areas close to the trail and the lakeside, restroom facilities, and a water station.

A park ranger will be stationed near the pavilion with activity kits to help guide your experience, a display of historic photos of Calumet Lake Dam, and other NPLD & Keweenaw National Historical Park resources. Closed toed shoes, sunscreen, bug spray, and a water bottle are recommended for participants. Consider bringing a spotting scope, binoculars, or other nature observation tools of your own to enhance the quality of your time in nature!

Accessibility Notes: the parking areas at Calumet Lake are crushed stone and gravel surfaces. There is a dirt and crushed stone trail that can be followed around most of the lake with varying degrees of incline and natural elements (branches, larger rocks, weather-induced conditions.). A bench and several picnic tables are located in grassy areas near the lakeside and under shade trees.

 

Designed by the National Park Service

Check out other volunteer opportunities at National Park sites around the country!

 

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  Calendar of Events

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  Work With Us

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  Volunteer

  Volunteer opportunities are available at the Keweenaw Heritage Sites and Keweenaw National Historical Park.