The Upper Peninsula History Conference and Michigan History Conference Move to Virtual Formats in 2021

LANSING, Mich.—The Historical Society of Michigan (HSM) has made the difficult decision to shift its remaining annual conferences—the Upper Peninsula History Conference and the Michigan History Conference—to a virtual format for 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Upper Peninsula History Conference, originally scheduled to be held in Bay Mills/Brimley, Michigan, will be virtual on June 25-26, 2021. The Michigan History Conference, originally scheduled to be held in Albion, Michigan, will be virtual on September 24-25, 2021.

"When the pandemic started nearly a year ago, we expected that in 2021 we would be able to have in-person conferences again," said Larry Wagenaar, HSM executive director and CEO. "Unfortunately, that has not proven to be the case since it is still not safe to gather people together in large groups in enclosed spaces. Last fall, we decided to move the March 2021 Michigan in Perspective: Local History Conference from in-person to a virtual event. With the pandemic still raging, new virus variants taking hold, many months before we reach adequate levels of vaccinations, and the need to make facility commitments in advance, we have made the difficult decision to make all of our 2021 conferences virtual."

HSM has asked all of the speakers from the canceled 2020 Upper Peninsula History Conference to consider returning this year so we could provide the same wonderful content that had already been planned for the 2020 program. The 2021 Michigan History Conference will be planned with a virtual format in mind with content from across the state.

The 2021 Michigan in Perspective: Local History Conference will take place March 19-20, 2021. The Local History Conference explores both state and Southeastern Michigan history.

The 71st annual Upper Peninsula History Conference will take place virtually on June 25-26, 2021. This conference pays particular attention to U.P. history topics and themes. This conference moves to a different location each year to explore that area’s heritage and will be held in Iron Mountain in 2022.

The 147th Annual Meeting and Michigan History Conference will take place virtually on September 24-25, 2021. The Michigan History Conference celebrates all aspects of Michigan’s history and will be held in Albion in 2022.

HSM is saddened to have to make this extremely difficult decision and appreciate the public's understanding. We wish you all good health, and we thank you for your continued support of the Historical Society of Michigan!

The Historical Society of Michigan is the state’s oldest cultural organization, founded in 1828. A nongovernmental nonprofit, the Society focuses on publications, conferences, education, awards and recognition programming, and support for local history organizations to preserve and promote Michigan’s rich history.