U.S. Department of the Interior Grant: Keweenaw NHP Advisory Commission

The objective of this Agreement is to advance preservation and interpretation of historic resources as they relate to copper mining on Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula by providing financial support to the Keweenaw National Historical Park Advisory Commission.

Keweenaw National Historical Park was established to preserve and interpret the story of the rise, domination and decline of the region’s copper mining industry. To achieve this goal, the U.S. Congress legislated that the National Park Service and the park’s advisory commission to work jointly with partner sites that are owned and operated by state and local governments, private businesses and nonprofit organizations. The Keweenaw Heritage Sites program, administered by the Keweenaw National Historical Park Advisory Commission, is one aspect of this partnership.

By definition, Keweenaw Heritage Sites contain significant cultural and/or natural resources and make a unique contribution to the copper mining story. Embodying stories of hardship, ingenuity, struggle and success, each site allows the visiting public to explore the role mining played in people’s lives here and afar.

In FY 2016, Keweenaw National Historical Park received an increase of $110,000.00 in its budget; $100,000.00 of this increase was specifically allotted to establish an annual operational budget for the Keweenaw National Historical Park Advisory Commission. The Midwest Regional Director’s expectation is that the park will continue to provide a minimum of $100,000.00 to the Commission each year in order to cover staff expenses and other operational costs.
Keweenaw National Historical Park Advisory Commission will carry out functions related to the purposes of the park as identified in the enabling legislation, Public Law 102-543, Oct. 27, 1992. The Advisory Commission is integral to the administration of Keweenaw National Historical Park with unique duties and privileges as provided by law.

Keweenaw National Historical Park Advisory Commission will ensure, as available financial support allows, continuation of the Keweenaw Heritage Grant Program that sustains historic preservation and interpretive outreach by park partners. The purpose of this grant program is to assist park partners with activities related to the preservation and interpretation of the story of copper. A grant project or program must be located within the legislated boundaries of Keweenaw NHP; affiliated with an existing Keweenaw Heritage Site; or located at the Cliff Mine, along Torch Lake, or within the community of Painesdale, MI. Applicants must be a designated Keweenaw Heritage Site organization, a non-profit organization, a local or regional government, an academic institution, or a federally recognized Indian tribe. Advisory Commission grants are subject to a 1-to-1 match, although up to 100% of the match may be in-kind.

Keweenaw National Historical Park Advisory Commission will continue operations as organized by an Executive Director who will guide and enact the decisions of the federally appointed volunteer commission in their ongoing efforts to advocate for and promote the resources of the park.

Keweenaw National Historical Park Advisory Commission will oversee care and maintenance of the Quincy Smelting Works. The Keweenaw National Historical Park Advisory Commission acquired the Quincy Mining Company Smelting Works in 2014 with the intention of transferring the property to the NPS. Until such a time when this may occur, the Advisory Commission is charged with its preservation and care. The Quincy Smelting Works contributes to the Quincy Unit of the park and the Quincy Mining Company National Historic Landmark District.