Central UP Events

Northern Michigan University’s Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center will unveil two exhibits in its new gallery space in 223 Harden Hall: “The Conservationists: George Shiras III, Theodore Roosevelt and the Migratory Bird Act”; and a permanent display of artifacts, photographs and stories about NMU. The opening reception begins at noon Saturday, Jan. 31. “The Conservationists” focuses on the relationship between Shiras and Roosevelt and how the two helped shape conservation and environmental policy in the United States during the early 1900s. The exhibit will feature actual correspondence between the two figures from the collection of the Central Upper Peninsula and NMU

February 23, 2026-January 2, 2027 This exhibit showcases two hundred and fifty artifacts, photographs, and documents from our permanent collections. These objects connect local history to the national story while commemorating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence. Michigan’s Upper Peninsula has often seemed remote from the rest of the country. However, the themes and movements of U.S. history can be seen here as well, especially since the War of 1812. When the country braced for the Civil War, U.P. iron miners raced to uncover iron for the Union army’s railroads and ammunitions. When labor movements exploded following

 America Beckons by Aura Jylhä-Vuorio Finlandia Art Gallery  presents  ME SIIRTOLAISET | WE IMMIGRANTS  Selections from our art + archival collections March 12 – April 16, 2026 Opening Reception: Thursday, March 12, 7-8:30pm  HANCOCK, Mich. – Art, artifacts, and oral histories come together to tell stories of Finnish migration to the United States in the new exhibit “Me Siirtolaiset | We Immigrants,” which opens March 12 at Finlandia Art Gallery. The artwork in the exhibit is from the gallery’s permanent collection and includes the work of nine Finnish-American and Finnish artists – Ariadna Donner, Gerald Immonen, Aura Jylha-Vuorio, Gladys Koski Holmes, Desiree

  Downtown Marquette businesses’ opportunity to catch up with the MDDA and other business owners and operators. Hello everyone! Our next Downtown Connect meeting will take place on Thursday, March 19 at the Marquette Commons. During this meeting, we will be discussing some potential programming for the new Ice Fest being planned for January 2027 and how businesses can get involved. We will also be taking a look at the recent update from Corbin Design who has been helping design and implement the new downtown wayfinding that will be making its way into our community this summer. Downtown Connect is

Thursdays: March 19; and April 2, 9, 16 and 19. 1-2 p.m CNAS Fire Site Pavilion The NMU Center for Native American Studies (CNAS) is hosting its Fire Site Storytelling Series on select Thursdays in March and April. These events are free and open to the public. This series features Anishinaabe winter storytelling, oral traditions and community discussion, supported and facilitated by the CNAS director, faculty and staff.  Remaining Fire Site Storytelling events will take place from 1-2 p.m. on the following Thursdays: March 19; and April 2, 9, 16 and 19. They will be held at the CNAS Fire

Powerful Tools for Caregivers, a six-week online workshop, designed for the non-professional, informal family caregiver, will be held on Thursdays, March 19 through April 23, from 1:30 – 3:00 pm (Eastern) via Zoom. Research studies find high rates of depression and anxiety among caregivers and increased vulnerability to health problems. Caregivers frequently cite restriction of personal activities and social life as problems. In addition, caregivers often feel a lack of control over events and a sense of powerlessness which can have a significant negative impact on their physical and emotional health. The Powerful Tools for Caregivers program will provide caregivers

Thursday, March 19, 2026.  4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.  Peter White Public Library Great Room.  Join us for a fun and interactive introduction into the Spanish language and the cultures of Spanish-speaking countries! Kids will learn basic Spanish vocabulary through games, stories, and handson activities. Open to kids in Kindergarten through 6th grade. No admission charge. For more information and to check the status of the program, call 906-226-4323 or visit pwpl.info.  

Thursday, March 19 7 p.m.  the Lydia Olson Library Atrium in Harden Hall As part of its America 250 speaker series, the Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center at Northern Michigan University will host a presentation titled  “Armed and Disguised: The Revolutionary Life of Deborah Sampson.” NMU History Associate Professor Emily Romeo will share the intriguing story of Sampson, who fought for the U.S. Continental Army under the male alias of Robert Shurtliff. The event will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 19, in the Lydia Olson Library Atrium in Harden Hall. It is free and open to the public. During

The Westerlies, a Grammy-nominated, New York-based brass quartet, will be the featured performer at the NMU Jazz Festival. The group will present the festival’s opening concert, which also serves as a Siril Concert Series event, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 19, in Reynolds Recital Hall. The quartet will also join NMU’s Jazz Band and Jazz Combo for the closing concert on Friday, March 20, at the same time and location. In addition to the performances, The Westerlies will lead two guest artist clinics at 1 p.m. both days. These masterclasses are free and open to the public. The Westerlies quartet