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, March (4, 11, 18, 25), 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.  

every Wednesday 1:00 p.m.  The library knitting group meets at 1:00 p.m. every Wednesday at the Negaunee Public Library. Crocheters, knitters, and others interested in fiber arts are welcome to bring their projects and enjoy fellowship. Coffee is provided, and lessons are available. This program is free. For more information, visit the library’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NegauneePublicLibrary/ or call 906-475-7700 ext. 18.  

Wednesdays 3 p.m.  The after-school library club, a group for middle school students and their homeschool peers ages 10-14, will meet at 3 p.m. Wednesdays at the Negaunee Public Library, except for days the Negaunee Public Schools are closed due to inclement weather. Snacks will be provided. This program is free. For more information, visit the library’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NegauneePublicLibrary/ or call 906-475-7700 ext. 18.  

Wednesdays 5:30-6:45 p.m. Negaunee Public Library’s own Leo Siren will conduct writing workshops from 5:30-6:45 p.m. Wednesdays, in the library’s Reading Room. Aspiring writers ages 13 years and up are invited to learn about the craft of story writing from Siren, who has more than 20 years of writing experience. Participants can work on current projects, find inspiration at the workshop, and critique each other’s works in a friendly environment. This event is free. For more information, visit the library’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NegauneePublicLibrary/ or call 906-475-7700 ext.18.  

  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