Vernacular Architecture Forum Visits the Copper Country for Annual Conference

The Copper Country receives visitors interested in all sorts of history. Including the region’s historic buildings. Last week Michigan Tech’s Department of Social Sciences hosted the annual conference of the Vernacular Architecture Forum, whose professional members study everyday buildings and landscapes. During the conference’s four days over 200 academics and heritage professionals explored the Keweenaw peninsula and the region’s preserved urban, industrial, and natural sights.

Conference Chair Sarah Fayan-Scarlett, an associate professor of history, and the conference’s planning team from the Keweenaw National Historic Park and formerly Finlandia University worked with property owners, municipalities, heritage sites, and the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community to produce a three-volume set of guidebooks that include new research and perspectives on buildings and sites in the region. Some of the sites that the conference’s participants visited included the Quincy Mine Hoist Association, Calumet Theatre, the Central Mine Methodist Church, Eagle Harbor Lighthouse, the Kemppa Farm, Hanka Homestead, KBIC Powwow Grounds, and other stops throughout.

Those interested in learning more about the Vernacular Architecture Forum, and the annual conference’s visit last week to the Copper Country can find more details below

Vernacular Achitectiure Forum website

Thematic Essays & Tour 1 Guidebook – Mine Towns: Technology, Paternalism & Memory

Tour 2 Guidebook – Keweenaw County: From Frontier Ports to Northwoods Resorts

Tour 3 Guidebook – From Farm to Kitchen: Rural, Indigenous, and Urban Places