MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – Inside the recently renovated Harden Hall and Lydia Olson Library, comes the new home to the NMU Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center.
Curator and Director Dan Truckey explains that the relocation not only brings together the student’s resources, but also provides a more centralized space.
“This is just a great location for us,” he explained. “We’re now right next to the NMU Archives, this has been a long held dream of ours to be connected to each other. There are also students all around here. Having higher visibility from the student body is going to be really important for us.”
After a grand opening over the weekend, two new exhibits are on display. This includes a year-round exhibit featuring information and physical pieces of history detailing the early years of the university. The other temporary exhibit currently focuses on the dialogue and partnership of George Shiras III and Theodore Roosevelt, dubbed The Conservationists.
The piece covers their early 1900’s journey to pass the Migratory Bird Act. This aimed at protecting these animals from hunters across the United States, as Shiras held properties in Alger County and Marquette, with a strong connection to the U.P.’s wildlife. The exhibit features material from the NMU archives, combining the two centers in this first display.
“[Shiras’] work is really integral to the culture and history of the area, so its an important story to keep telling,” said Truckey. “We wanted to do a exhibit that featured something from the archives. It’s a really cool collection, there’s some neat letters and materials on display.”
The new Beaumier Center will be open on weekdays from noon until 5:00 p.m., and Saturdays from noon until 4:00 p.m. The Conservationists’ Exhibit will be free and available to the public until May 2.
