The Political Life

February 21 through June 28

The lives and work of the Upper Peninsula’s greatest politicians will be on display beginning on Friday, February 21, in the Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center’s new exhibition, “The Political Life.” There will be an opening reception for the exhibition from 5 – 7 p.m. on Friday, February 21 in the Beaumier Center’s gallery in Gries Hall on the campus of Northern Michigan University. Admission to the reception and exhibition are free to the public. The exhibition will be on display at the Beaumier Center through June 28, 2025.

Ever since the Upper Peninsula became part of the State of Michigan in 1836, its history has been full of fascinating, powerful and even controversial figures in State, National and even International politics. These included politicians such as Chase Osborn of Sault Ste. Marie, the only Michigan governor from the U.P.; State Representative Dominic Jacobetti from Negaunee, who dominated Lansing for several decades; Connie Binsfeld of Munising, who became Michigan’s first female Lieutenant Governor; the colorful and controversial Joe Mack, State Senator from Ironwood; Cora Reynolds Anderson, the first woman and Native American to be elected a State Representative in Lansing and many others. 

In addition, there will be a section dedicated to the various President’s of the United States who came to the Upper Peninsula, before, during and after their terms in office. Teddy Roosevelt visited the Upper Peninsula twice within one year, first to campaign for presidential run in 1912 and several months later to testify in his liable suit against the Ishpeming Iron Ore editor, George Newett. Four presidents have visited the U.P. during their term in office; William Henry Taft in 1911, George H. Bush in 1992, George W. Bush in 2004 and Barack Obama in 2011.