A two-day symposium, entitled “Michigan’s Copper Country: History, People & Place,” will take place July 1-2, 2004, in Houghton, Michigan. More than 45 speakers will examine aspects of the culture, heritage and history of Michigan’s “Copper Country,” a four-county region along the south shore of Lake Superior known for its native copper deposits and historic mining operations.

Individual speakers will address a wide variety of topics in regional history, everything from local Native American experience and modern mining activities around the Keweenaw Peninsula, to the Italian Hall tragedy and the more-recent history of the Calumet Air Force Station. In addition to topical presentations, the symposium will also include sessions examining local museum and historical agencies and their work to preserve and interpret the area’s history. Mini-workshops on genealogy and conducting oral history interviews will encourage individuals to find ways to research and preserve their part of the Keweenaw story.

The conference intends to engage a variety of audiences, from the general public to genealogists and academic researchers. Organizers hope to encourage an interchange of ideas on the history, people and places that have shaped Michigan’s historic copper mining district.

The event is scheduled as part of the week-long Copper Country Homecoming and Old Settlers Ball. Symposium sessions will be held on the campus of Michigan Technological University, with keynote evening addresses at historic venues in Calumet and Painesdale.

Conference details, including the program schedule, biographies of speakers and registration information, is available on the web at www.Cchomecoming.org