Keweenaw National Historical Park: Step into History

Keweenaw National Historical Park tells the story of the men and women who mined copper in this northernmost Michigan peninsula starting 7,000 years ago until the 1900s. The mines have since closed, but they and the people who operated them are integral to the Upper Peninsula’s culture today. 

Visiting Keweenaw National Historical Park promises a different experience from seeing other national park sites. It’s a collaborative effort between the National Park Service and private and public entities throughout the peninsula. In this park you can explore  Keweenaw Heritage Sites between Ontonagon and Copper Harbor. Choose from historic mine tours, museums, breathtaking mountains and lakeshore vistas. Some unique highlights include the Calumet Theatre, A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum, Copper Country Firefighters History Museum, Old Victoria and the Finnish American Heritage Center & Historical Archive. For your planning purposes, most of the sites are open from late May to late October.

Special events and activities 

The Keweenaw Peninsula is a fascinating place to visit year-round. Check our events calendar or the Keweenaw Peninsula Convention & Visitors Bureau for listings of events and activities at each of the different sites. One place you’ll definitely want to include on your summer itinerary is Fort Wilkins Historic Park. It has one of the most active summer programs that will give you a deeper understanding of what life was once like in Copper Country. And be sure to try a pasty, the meat pie that sustained many a copper miner, while you’re here, too.

Visit from home with Minecraft

Can’t make the trip up just yet? That’s okay — you can dig into the history of this area with the historic park’s re-creation of it on Minecraft! Keweenaw Minecraft is a re-creation of Keweenaw National Historical Park's Calumet unit and its surroundings in 1917. Builders use historical maps and photos to envision and build the past. Minecraft players, youth and gamers worldwide can work side by side with the national park to build and explore the history together. Hop online to learn more and join the fun. 

Plan your trip to the Keweenaw National Historical Park

A good place to start your tour is the visitor center in downtown Calumet. Hours vary by season, so click here, or call 906-483-3176 for current open times. There is no entrance fee to this national historical park, however, many of the individual sites charge an activity or entrance fee, and others welcome donations.

Planning where to go and what to do is easy with these itineraries. Children will enjoy earning a Junior Ranger badge by completing the activities in the park’s free booklet or doing the scavenger hunt. You can also take park ranger guided tours. Start planning your trip today by booking your overnight stay!