Welcome to the Carnegie Museum of the Keweenaw, a cornerstone of Houghton, Michigan, that embodies over a century of history and evolution. This non-collecting museum, housed in the historic Carnegie Library building, offers a unique glimpse into the local cultural and natural history with its rotating exhibits.
The building itself is a piece of history, constructed in 1909 with a $15,000 grant from the famous philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. Designed in the Classical Revival style, this red brick structure with a Jacobsville sandstone base initially served the community as the Portage Lake District Library from 1910 until 2006. It stands on the site formerly occupied by the Armory Building for Company G of the Houghton Light Infantry, adding layers of military and civic history to its foundation.
In 2006, after the library moved to a new location, the building was repurposed as the Carnegie Museum of the Keweenaw. This transition marked a new chapter in preserving and showcasing the region’s rich heritage, from its copper mining past to its natural wonders. In October 2013, further cementing its role in regional history, the museum was recognized as a Heritage Site of the Keweenaw National Historical Park, emphasizing its significance in the broader narrative of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
This area, known as the Keweenaw Peninsula, has a storied past deeply rooted in the copper mining industry that once thrived here. The exhibits at the museum delve into this industrial history, as well as the stories of the Native American tribes, like the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi, who originally inhabited the region. Visitors to the museum often praise the knowledgeable staff who enrich the experience by sharing intriguing anecdotes and insights about the exhibits.
While the museum itself is modest in size, its exhibits offer a comprehensive overview of the area’s historical and cultural evolution, making it a cherished institution for both locals and visitors eager to learn about the Keweenaw Peninsula’s past.
