History
After several years of negotiations, a group of local citizens in 1994 raised the funds necessary for the Charter Township of Calumet to purchase the building formerly called St Anne’s Church. Calumet Township now handles the bookkeeping and insurance for the building. The Township has delegated the development and operation of St Anne’s to the management board of the Keweenaw Heritage Center at St Anne’s. The board is comprised of interested citizens, National Park Representatives and University professors all with ties to a number of community organizations.
The mission of the Keweenaw Heritage Center at St Anne’s is to preserve and interpret the culture and heritage of the Copper Country through the preservation of buildings, development of exhibits and other educational activities. Located at the head of downtown Calumet’s commercial district, The Keweenaw Heritage Center, formerly St Anne’s Church, is a pivotal structure of the Calumet Downtown National Historic Landmark District. The building is being adapted for service as a museum and educational facility. The Center is a cooperating site of the Keweenaw National Historic Park. Other venues are available to understand our geology and mining technologies. The Heritage Center is unique in its plan to highlight the social aspect of mining community life.
Since the purchase of the building, the board has invested almost a half million dollars in stabilization. Approximately 55% of that amount came from private and corporate contributions with the balance from grants. The most visible work to date are the stained glass windows: In 1999 the “American Opalescent” stained glass windows were removed and restored. These treasured stained glass windows proudly display the artistic value and beauty that has long been a part of the life of the Copper Country.
For it’s long term stability the Keweenaw Heritage Center has established an endowment fund through the Keweenaw Community Foundation.
As the Keweenaw Heritage Center moves ahead with stabilizing and repairing the former St Anne’s church, we also continue to plan for a major, professional quality museum on the structure’s first floor. This exhibit will be dedicated to the social history of Calumet and neighboring copper towns.