A new exhibit titled “The Immigraiton Experience” will open at Northern Michigan University’s Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center on Saturday, April 14. An opening reception is scheduled for 1 p.m. Admission is free.

The exhibit will explore the experiences of immigrants, from the first white settlers of the U.P. in the 19th century to the individuals and families coming to the area to make it their home in the 21st century. Immigrants have come to the U.P. for a variety of reasons. The mining and logging industries of the 19th and early 20th centuries attracted many immigrants from Europe. The climate and geography of the region was very appealing to people of the Scandinavia. Many others came to the region following other family and friends who had already made the journey.

The Beaumier Center developed “The Immigration Experience” after being awarded the Michigan Humanities Award, which supports public humanities programming that explore history, poetry, reading, education and community identity.

The Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center is located in Gries Hall at NMU. It is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The exhibit will be open April 14 through Oct. 13.