2007 UP History Awards

Bruce Johanson and Bay Mills-Brimley Historical Society Win Awards

ONTONAGON MI:  An individual and a local historical society were recognized with 2007 Upper Peninsula History Awards at the annual UP History Conference held this year in Ontonagon and Silver City, Michigan.  The awards were presented at the annual awards banquet on Saturday evening, June 23.

The Upper Peninsula History Conference is operated annually by the Historical Society of Michigan and visits a different UP community each year in June.  This year the conference was sponsored by the Ontonagon County Historical Society, the Upper Peninsula Power Company and the Ontonagon Area Schools with over 150 people participating.

Each year, the Historical Society of Michigan presents two history awards focused on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.  They include the Charles Follo and Superior Awards, which recognize an individual and historical organization that have made an outstanding contribution to the preservation and promotion of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula history.

The Charles Follow Award was established in 1979 to honor the memory of Charles Follo, a school teacher from Escanaba who supported and contributed to the work of historical societies in the Upper Peninsula.  The Superior Award was established in 2006 to honor historical societies, museums and other historical organizations in the UP for their efforts to advance the Upper Peninsula’s history.

The 2007 recipient of the Charles Follo Award is Bruce Johanson, an exceptional teacher and scholar who has dedicated most of his adult life to Michigan history, especially that of the western Upper Peninsula and Ontonagon County.

Johanson recently retired from the Ontonagon-Gogebic School District, serving his last 24 years as the primary history teacher and band instructor at the Ontonagon Area High School.  He continues to devote much of his time to local history projects and workshops for students, historians and scholars and is president of the Ontonagon County Historical Society.  Among his talents Johanson is considered an expert on geology, mineralogy, copper and silver mining, and Indian folklore.  He has authored several books focusing on Ontonagon history including two volumes of the Ontonagon Lighthouse Keepers Journals.

Recently Johanson led efforts to have the Ontonagon Lighthouse transferred from federal control to the Ontonagon Historical Society and then worked to obtain a state grant for the lighthouse’s restoration.  Last summer, he directed planning activities for the Ontonagon Harbor Sesquicentennial.  Johanson is a tireless teacher of history who continues to serve his community in many ways.   For so long, and in so many ways, he has continued the legacy of Charles Follo and others who encouraged Michigan citizens to embrace and share our heritage.  

The 2007 Superior Award was presented to the Bay Mills-Brimley Historical Research Society

Beginning in 1983 the Bay Mills-Brimley Historical Research Society, working along with the Hiawatha National Forest, has contributed intensive time, labor, effort, interest and money to the restoration and upkeep of the Point Iroquois Light station.  The situation was dire before they got involved.  Vandals had ruined several buildings and a bonfire in the living room of the lighthouse left a hole in the floor.  Plaster was falling and paint was peeling.  A group of dedicated volunteers from the Bay Mills-Brimley Historical Research Society turned everything around.

The Society acquired artifacts and established a museum at the lighthouse.  It installed office equipment and shelving and display racks for a book shop and also obtained grants for further repair and restoration of the lighthouse as a historic site.  Within the first year, the museum had more than 13,000 visitors.   It’s been a long and challenging assignment, but the Society has made a tremendous difference.

And the society continues to tackle new projects.

It sponsored “Barn Again,” a national program to encourage history of agriculture.  It reintroduced an old-fashioned Fourth of July celebration.  The Society also hosts an antique appraisal, a “cake walk,” harvest dinner and other events.

Whatever the season and whatever the reason this group of enthusiastic volunteers has left a lasting imprint and played a significant role in preserving Upper Peninsula history for future generations.

For more information on the Historical Society of Michigan, the annual Upper Peninsula History Conference, the awards program or other educational activities, visit www.hsmichigan.org .