This site will look much better in a browser that supports web standards, but is accessible to any browser or Internet device.
!
!
!
GWINN MI: Robert Money and the Cliffs Shaft Mining Museum received the Historical Society of Michigan's top awards for the preservation of Upper Peninsula History on June 28 at the 59th Annual Upper Peninsula History Conference.
The Historical Society of Michigan presents the prestigious Charles Follo Award each year to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the preservation and promotion of Upper Peninsula history. It was established in 1979 to honor the memory of Charles Follo, an Escanaba schoolteacher who promoted and helped advance historical understanding of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. In 2006, the Society established the Superior Award which recognizes historical organizations in the region that have also made a significant contribution to advancing the area's history.
Robert Money, Professor of History at Lake Superior State University, was awarded the Charles Follo History Award for 2008. The Cliffs Shaft Mining Museum in Ishpeming received the Superior Award.
Beginning in 1969, Robert Money has played a leading role in promoting Upper Peninsula history in a wide variety of organizations and activities. He joined the Le Sault de Sainte Marie Historic Sites Board in his very first year in the Soo and shortly afterward took a leadership role in the Chippewa County Historical Society. Money's other roles have included serving as chair of the Sault Ste. Marie Historical Development Commission, the Sesquicentennial Committee for Lake Superior State University, coordinating activities for Michigan's 150th anniversary of statehood in 1987, involvement with the Michigan Oral History Association and as a Board member and officer of the Historical Society of Michigan.
Money's interest in Upper Peninsula history also included being a key player in preserving the Schoolcraft House which was built in 1827 as the first Indian Agency building and the regional and the private home of Henry Rowe Schoolcraft. He helped arrange the transfer of ownership and moving of this historic structure to a secure site where it is now preserved. He also served as a consultant for the relocation and restoration of the Bishop Baraga House.
The preservation of another landmark in Sault Ste Marie in which Money assisted is the Valley Camp, a great lakes freighter now preserved as a museum.
"I was totally surprised by this award" commented Money. "Even my wife hid this from me - and if you can't trust your wife who can you trust?" as the conference audience shared a chuckle.
The Cliffs Shaft Mine in Ishpeming, recipient of the 2008 Superior Award, is one of the best preserved, most complete examples of an underground iron mine site in the Upper Peninsula. Situated on the Marquette Iron Range, it was the longest-operating underground, hard-ore mine producing nearly 29 million tons of ore from 1848 to 1967, making it the longest running underground iron ore mine in the United States.
In 1997 the Cleveland Cliffs Mining Company donated the land and buildings to the newly-formed Marquette Range Iron Mining Theme Park for use as a museum. In June, 2002, the mine museum formally opened to the public and worked in conjunction with the Ishpeming Historical Society and the Marquette County Rock and Mineral Club to develop an effective outreach and interpretive program detailing the Marquette Iron Range using an all-volunteer staff.
One of the Cliffs Shaft Mining Museum's most effect programs is its work with school-age children. A group of the museum's volunteers have developed a program that provides interesting insights on the mining industry to school and youth groups, helping them learn more about this key aspect of Upper Peninsula history.
More than 6,000 people tour the museum annually, including approximately 2,000 school-age children.
Historical Society of Michigan President Richard Wiener shared that the Cliff Shaft Mining Museum is "more than a tourist museum, they live the past for younger generations and make it all real" as he presented the Superior Award to representatives of the museum.
"The Follo and Superior Awards are the highest recognition given to individual leaders and organizations in UP history by the Historical Society of Michigan" according to the Society's Executive Director Larry Wagenaar. "Mr. Money and the Cliffs Shaft Mining Museum exemplify how important the efforts of one person or organization can be to advancing Michigan's history."
The Upper Peninsula History Awards are presented each year at the Historical Society of Michigan's Upper Peninsula History Conference held during the last weekend in June. Territorial governor Lewis Cass and Henry Schoolcraft, who explored and wrote about the UP, founded the Society in 1828 and it is the oldest cultural organization in the state.
During the State History Conference, to be held in Grand Rapids September 26-28, 2008 the Society will present its annual State History Awards. For more information on the Society's awards visit www.hsmichigan.org or call (517) 324-1828.
Do you know an individual or historical organization that has done marvelous things to preserve and promote the history of Michigan's Upper Peninsula? That has given their all to successfully preserve a historic home, industrial complex, streetscape or archeological site? A person or organization that has interviewed and recorded the memories of older citizens before their passing or tirelessly researched and documented the history of your community? Someone who has volunteered their time for years at the local historical society or archives?
For individuals, please consider nominating that person for the Charles Follo Award. Named in honor of Charles Follo, a school teacher from Escanaba who worked to establish historical societies and promote the history of the Upper Peninsula, the Charles Follo Award is presented annually by the Historical Society of Michigan to the individual who has made the most outstanding contribution to the preservation and promotion of Upper Peninsula history.
For historical organizations, please consider nominating them for the new Superior Award, established by the Historical Society of Michigan in 2006. The Superior Award recognizes historical societies, museums, and other historical organizations that have preserved and advanced Upper Peninsula history.
Nominations are due May 1. Postmarks not accepted.
Individuals currently serving on the Board of Trustees of the Historical Society of Michigan are not eligible for this award.
Each year the Historical Society of Michigan presents a State History Award to those individuals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to the appreciation and understanding of Michigan history. Criteria: Excellence of achievement by an individual or organization in the collection, preservation and promotion of state and local history in the following categories:
Individuals currently serving on the Board of Trustees of the Historical Society of Michigan are not eligible for this award.
Nominations are due on August 1. Postmarks not accepted
