Presentations about the history, life and culture of the Upper Peninsula will be offered at the Sonderegger Symposium XVII at Northern Michigan University. The event runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3:20 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8, in the University Center Pioneer Rooms. It is free and open to the public. 

Nine scholars will present aspects of their work. NMU's Center for U.P. Studies is hosting the event.

A continental breakfast begins at 8:30 a.m., followed by opening remarks from Robert Winn, dean of Arts and Sciences. The remaining schedule of presenters and topics follows:

9:15-9:45 a.m. Robert Archibald, NMU alumnus, “Trapped: Steel, Whiskey, Extinction and the Upper Peninsula Fur Trade”

9:45-10:15 a.m. Jack Deo, independent scholar, “The Surveying Brothertons: 140 Years of Surveying Upper Michigan”

10:15-10:30 a.m. Coffee break

10:30-11 a.m. Beth Gruber, research librarian at the Marquette Regional History Center, “Fire in Shaft #3: the Osceola Mine Fire”

11-11:30 a.m. Russ Magnaghi, NMU professor emeritus, “Michigan State Constabulary and Its Upper Peninsula Origins”

11:30-12 p.m. Robert Winn, NMU dean of Arts and Sciences, “Upper Michigan Brain Tumor Center: Origin, Growth and Future”

12-1 p.m. Lunch break in the Peter White Lounge of the University Center

1-1:30 p.m. Wil Rankinen, Grand Valley State University, “Finnish and American English Pronunciations of ‘Sauna’ in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula”

1:30-2 p.m. Carolyn Person, president of Chippewa County Historical Society, “History of Dunbar, Chippewa County, Michigan: Farm to Recreation Area”

2-2:15 p.m. Coffee break

2:15-2:45 p.m. Abbey Palmer: Michigan State University’s U.P. Research and Extension Center, “Strawberries, Milk and Honey: 118 Years of Research at Michigan’s First Agricultural Experiment Station, the Chatham North Farm”

2:45-3:15 p.m. Troy Henderson, Michigan History Center and Michigan Iron Industry Museum, “Exhibiting Modern Mining”

3:15-3:20 p.m. Closing remarks

The symposium is also sponsored by financial support from the Sonderegger family.