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

Wednesdays April (8, 15, 22, 29), 2026.  10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.  Peter White Public Library Great Room.  Songs, rhymes, stories and finger-plays for newborns to 17 months with a loving adult. Older siblings are welcome.  No admission charge.  For more information and to check the status of the program, call 906-226-4323 or visit pwpl.info.  

Wednesday, April 15, 2026.  Family Day 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Family Night 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.  Peter White Public Library Youth Services Room.  Families with youth of all ages, welcome to our brand-new monthly family themed drop-in library days! This month, come and enjoy family fun at game time! There will be games set up throughout the kids’ room for families with kids of varying ages. Children under the age of 8 must have an adult in the program with them. No admission charge.  For more information and to check the status of the program, call 906-226-4323 or

Wednesday, April 15, 2026:  4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.  Marquette Food Coop Teens in grades 6-12 are invited to register for a cooking class at the Marquette Food Coop. We will be making Mexican Sopes with refried beans and homemade salsa. This class is gluten free and vegetarian. Very hands-on! Cooking class will take place at the Marquette Food Co-Op.  Online registration required.  For more information, to check the status of the program, and to register, call 906-226-4321 or visit pwpl.info.  

Wednesday, April 15, 2026.  Family Day 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Family Night 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.  Peter White Public Library Youth Services Room.  Families with youth of all ages, welcome to our brand-new monthly family themed drop-in library days! This month, come and enjoy family fun at game time! There will be games set up throughout the kids’ room for families with kids of varying ages. Children under the age of 8 must have an adult in the program with them. No admission charge.  For more information and to check the status of the program, call 906-226-4323 or

Wednesday, April 15, 2026.  6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.  Peter White Public Library Community Room. Adults, Seniors, Family Friendly. Folk group Mustard’s Retreat has been delighting audiences for 40 years. Accomplished songwriters and musicians (guitars, dulcimer, electric bass, mandolin, harmonica, pennywhistle), these raconteurs and storytellers will have you tapping your feet and laughing out loud for days to come.  This event will also be livestreamed.  For more information, contact Marty at 226-4322, machatz@pwpl.info, or visit pwpl.info.