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

Wednesday, March 25, 2026.  9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.  WLUC TV 6 Studios. Adults, Teens, Seniors. Join Upper Michigan Today’s John Redfield, along with PWPL staff, for an on-air, in person book discussion. This month’s book: Marsha: The Joy and Defiance of Marsha P. Johnson by: Tourmaline. No admission charge. For more information, contact Marty at 226-4322, machatz@pwpl.info, or visit pwpl.info.  

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.  

The Barnes-Hecker Mine Disaster occurred on November 3, 1926. Fifty-one men lost their lives; forty-one of them are still buried at the site of the cave in. To commemorate the 100th anniversary, the Marquette Regional History Center will host Digitization Days, where community members can receive free digital scans of their documents and photographs pertaining to the mine, employees, family members, and friends. These scans will be added to the Longyear Research Library’s digital collections for future generations to learn from.   Digitization Days will be held at the Marquette Regional History Center on Saturday, March 7 from 10-3, at

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.  

Wednesday, March 25, 2026.  1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.  Peter White Public Library Teen Zone.  Home School Teens, Ages 11 & up, are welcome to join Amanda in the Teen Zone for bi-weekly book discussions. We will be discussing Pocket Bear by Katherine Applegate. For youth ages 11 & up. No admission charge. For more information or to check the status of this program, call 906-226-4321, email Amanda at pierce@pwpl.info, visitpwpl.info, or find Peter White Public Library Teen Services on Instagram or Facebook