SAULT STE MARIE, Mich. — Calling all historians, history buffs and Michigan residents interested in the Upper Peninsula’s history and culture. The Historical Society of Michigan (HSM) is hosting a one-of-a-kind conference weekend celebrating the U.P. in Sault Ste. Marie on June 21-23, 2024.

The Upper Peninsula History Conference is one of HSM’s most popular events, and features exciting keynote presentations, content sessions, educational workshops, a robust exhibit hall and more. The event includes keynotes on Michigan’s first female chief of staff Mary Hadrich, Jesuits in the Upper Peninsula and an illustrated history of the Soo Locks.

In addition to the keynotes, join HSM for content sessions on moose repopulation efforts; Kincheloe Air Force base; the history of looting and piracy on the Great Lakes; African Americans in the U.P.; Gordon Lightfoot and the Edmund Fitzgerald; one family’s journey from the U.P. to Stalin’s Russia and back again; the Vermilion Point U.S. Life-Saving Station; the historic and current efforts for Native repatriation and many other topics.

Pricing for the Upper Peninsula History Conference starts at $179 for those who register in advance and $189 for walk-in registrations.

Registration details, the full conference itinerary and more are available on HSM’s website.

The lead sponsors for the Upper Peninsula History Conference are The Meijer Foundation and Library of Michigan.

Additional sponsors are Michigan Arts & Culture Council, Lake Superior State University, Soo Co-Op Credit Union, Pickford Area Historical Museum, Central Savings Bank, Michigan State University Press, Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, Margaret Money, Drummond Island Digest, Rudyard Historical Society, Sault Historic Sites and Chippewa County Historical Society.