June 30, 2008

Barry James, education specialist with the Michigan Historical Center, will present "Getting from Europe to Upper Michigan: The Immigrant Experience," at 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 8, at the Michigan Iron Industry Museum in Negaunee Township.

Kicking off the museum's seven-part weekday program series, James' presentation will shed light on the issues that drove immigrants from their homelands, their shared experiences en route to America, and how they adjusted to a new life in U.P. mining communities.

"Upper Peninsula residents are reminded daily of a rich immigrant heritage by the region's place names, its cuisine and the surnames of our neighbors," said museum director Tom Friggens. "Too often, though, we take for granted how succeeding generations of mine workers got here."

Friggens explained that, leaving their homeland behind, immigrants endured a grueling sea voyage, a stressful examination process upon arrival at Ellis Island, and social discrimination. Ethnic diversity was reflected in the languages and social traditions of the iron ranges, where, in 1909, it was said "almost all the tongues on the face of the earth are represented."

Ethnic boarding houses, neighborhoods and church parishes became a distinct part of the mining community. Hostilities erupted between some groups, such as the Cornish and Irish, and the Finns and Italians. Some companies sponsored education programs to help immigrants adjust to American society.

James' program on immigration results from his research for an upcoming interactive exhibit on the subject at the Michigan Iron Industry Museum.

Upcoming programs in the museum's weekday lecture series include:

• July 15 - "U.P. Eats: Regional Culture through Food," with Yvonne and William Lockwood, Michigan State University.



• July 22 - "From Rocks to Grass: CCI Mine Reclamation on the Marquette Range," with Allan E. Koski, Cleveland-Cliffs, Inc.



• July 29 - "The Railroad That Never Ran," with Robert Dobson.



• Aug. 5 - "Company Rule and Community Life: Industrial Fayette, 1867-1891," with Brenda J. Laakso, Michigan Historical Center.



• Aug. 12 - "Labor and Conflict: Mining Strikes on the Marquette Range," with Marcus Robyns, Northern Michigan University.



• Aug. 19 - "The Making of 'The U.P. Recalls the War,'" with Sonya Chrisman, WNMU-TV 13.

All programs begin at 2 p.m. Admission is free. Donations are encouraged to support museum education programs.

The Michigan Iron Industry Museum is one of 11 nationally accredited museums administered by the Michigan Historical Center, a public, non-profit facility of the Department of History, Arts and Libraries. It is located at 73 Forge Road, overlooking the site of the Carp River Forge, a pioneer industrial site listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The recently expanded museum is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information about the summer program series or upcoming events, call (906) 475-7857 or visit online at www.michigan.gov/ironindustrymuseum.

The Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL) is dedicated to enriching quality of life and strengthening the economy by providing access to information, preserving and promoting Michigan's heritage and fostering cultural creativity. In addition to the Michigan Historical Center, HAL includes the Library of Michigan, the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, and the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. To learn more, visit www.michigan.gov/hal.

Read more press releases from the Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL).