Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center - NMU Events and Announcements

Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center

The Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center, in association with the Yarnwinders Fiber Guild of Marquette, are presenting a touring exhibition from the Handweavers Guild of America, Small Expressions. This exhibition will feature up to 40 pieces from handweavers artists across the United States. It will be on display from May 8 – June 27 at the Beaumier Center’s gallery in 223 Harden Hall on the campus of Northern Michigan University. Admission is free and open to the public.  The Center’s summer hours are 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

An annual juried exhibition showcasing contemporary small-scale works using fiber techniques in any media. Small in scale but visually compelling, the Handweavers Guild of America, Inc.’s (HGA) Small Expressions exhibit features work that speaks to the intricacy of expression, the intimacy of design, thoughtful communication, and visual excitement. The artists in this exhibit create a big impact through small pieces. Works juried into Small Expressions do not exceed 15 inches (38 centimeters) in any direction and are of exhibition quality, completed within the last two years, and not previously published. The artists whose works are exhibited skillfully use a variety of textile techniques, incorporating both traditional and nontraditional materials, while paying special attention to the limitations involved in creating small-scale works. Artworks have consisted of diverse fiber techniques such as weaving, interlacing, basket making, bead weaving, embroidery, felting, and mixed media.

The Yarwinders Fiber Guild of Marquette are a loosely woven group of handweavers who meet monthly to promote the art of handweaving and related fiber arts. They have participated in the Midsummer Festival, Upper Peninsula Folklife festival, Finn Fun Fest, the Iron History Museum fall harvest days festival, Alpaca Days in Skandia. Its members participate in regional art festivals and have their items for sale in many area galleries and shops.

Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center

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.

The Beaumier Upper Peninsula Heritage Center is a historical museum and educational facility on the campus of Northern Michigan University. The mission of the U.P. Heritage Center is to promote and preserve the history and culture of the Upper Peninsula through an active slate of exhibitions and engaging public programs for the whole region. The center also collects and preserves artifacts related to the history of Northern Michigan University. The center maintains a gallery in Gries Hall and several other displays throughout campus. The Heritage Center is part of Academic Affairs and has partnerships with several other departments.  It provides interdisciplinary programs and internships for students across the university spectrum.

Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center

To celebrate Women’s History Month and the great accomplishments of women across the region, the Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center is opening the exhibition, “Extraordinary Women of the U.P.,” on Saturday, March 23 at 1 p.m. The event will take place in the Center’s gallery in Gries Hall on the campus of Northern Michigan University and is free and open to the public. 

The exhibition will be on display through August 3 and then will begin touring the Upper Peninsula in the fall of 2024. It is funded in part by a grant from the Michigan Humanities Council, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

“Extraordinary Women of the U.P.” will feature the stories of no less than 60 women who made an impact in many different categories including the arts, education, politics, medicine, activism, and public service. Many were born and raised in the Upper Peninsula and others came to the region later in life, but they all share in common great accomplishments in their careers, volunteerism, and community service. Some of the women went on to have careers that have had an impact on the nation and even the world where others stayed in their hometowns and made them better communities for everyone. 

Much of the research for the exhibition was conducted by students of Dr. Emily Romeo’s women’s history course in the fall of 2023 at Northern Michigan University. Nominees were also submitted by local historical societies and private individuals.  The final list was determined by a committee consisting of: Lisa Cromell, director of the Munising School Public Library; Kathleen Long, director of the Iron County Historical Museum; Elise Nelson, director of the Carnegie Museum of the Keweenaw; Dr. Emily Romeo, assistant professor of history, Northern Michigan University; Daniel Truckey, director/curator of the Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center.

A short list of some of the individuals featured in the exhibition includes the pioneering accordionist Viola Turpeinen, the Anishinaabe poetess Jane Johnston Schoolcraft, medical researcher Kathleen Shingler Weston, politician Connie Berube Binsfeld, labor organizer Annie Clemenc, and many more iconic figures who have made the world a better place. Where many of the women are household names in the U.P., the community had some amazing discoveries of some lesser-known yet fantastic women, such as the civil rights activist and suffragette Blanche Williams Stubbs, daredevil wing/walker Sarah Kalishek, to an early disability advocate and publisher Nettie Steffenson Thorborg.

Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center

On Friday, February 16th, the Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center will be opening "Extracting History: Mining and Marquette County." This photography exhibition showcases contemporary photography by local artist Lexie Belles, historic images from Jack Deo's collection, and artifacts from the Cliff Shaft Mine Museum.

The exhibition's grand opening starts at 5:30 PM, welcoming all with hors d'oeuvres. 

"Extracting History: Mining and Marquette County" warmly invites the public to immerse themselves in this enlightening experience, running until March 1st, 2024. Visitors can explore the exhibition from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Monday through Friday), until 8 p.m. on Thursdays and 12 to 4 p.m. on Saturdays.  It is free and open to the public.

The Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center is located at the intersection of 7th Street and Tracy Ave on Northern Michigan University's campus. For further details, please contact us at 906-227-1219.