The Essence of Emmet historical collaborative will once again host its twice-yearly historical programs featuring a topic of local intrigue, and the Spring event will take place on April 29, 2015 in Petoskey.
“Characters from our Past” is the topic of this event, which will feature some interesting and lesser-known people who helped to shape Emmet County’s past and, therefore, its present. This free program is open to the public at the Community Building at the Fairgrounds. Time is 6 to 8 p.m. No reservations are required and refreshments will be served during an intermission.
The characters to be featured during this evening’s program are culled from the two issues of the Essence of Emmet magazine series, available for free to the public. Ultimately the magazine will be a four-part series, with additional editions published in January 2016 and January 2017.
The timeframes of the first two installments cover pre-contact through 1812, and 1813 through 1917. Featured characters during the program from these time periods, and the speakers presenting, are:
- Arent Schulyer DePeyster, 1777,British Commandant of Fort Michilimackinac during the American Revolutionary War – Craig Wilson, Mackinac State Historic Parks
- Thomas Nuttall, 1810, the first botanist in the Straits of Mackinac region who identified many of our endangered plants – Sandy Planisek, Mackinaw area historian and Emmet County Historical Commission member
- Father Weikamp, 1855, an eccentric priest in Cross Village who was known for converting Native Americans to Christianity and for some interesting personality quirks – Jane Cardinal, Essence of Emmet collaborative member and historian/artist from Good Hart
- Augustin Hamlin Jr., ("Kanapima"), 1820s-150, was critical in interpreting treaty negotiations for LITBB Odawa during the 1800s, thus helping the tribe avoid removal – Eric Hemenway, Director of Archives and Repatriation, Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians
- Elizabeth Whitney Williams, 1890s, she was born on Mackinac Island and was among a rarefied group of female lighthouse keepers in the Great Lakes, ultimately serving the Little Traverse Lighthouse station on Harbor Point – MaryAnn Moore, St. Helena Island Lighthouse Keeper and Mackinaw Area Historical Society
- Earl Mead, 1900, a Lansing architect who moved north for work and wellness and left his indelible architectural identity throughout the Harbor Springs area – Mary Cummings, Harbor Springs Area Historical Society Director
After the first three presenters, an intermission with refreshments will take place with period-specific food for sampling. Presenters will either dress in costume from the era or bring props demonstrating the characteristics of these Emmet County forebears.
The Essence of Emmet group works to promote this region’s rich history. Members of the Essence of Emmet include the Emmet County Historical Commission, Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association, Harbor Springs Area Historical Society, Headlands International Dark Sky Park, Inland Water Route Historical Society, Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, Little Traverse Historical Society, Mackinac State Historic Parks, Mackinaw Area Historical Society and Pellston Historical Society. Information can be found online at www.emmetcounty.org about the group and its projects.
To receive a complimentary copy of the first two of four installments of the Essence of Emmet history magazine, produced by group members, contact Beth Anne Eckerle at (231) 348-1704 or email [email protected]
For more information about the group or the April 29 program, contact Eckerle. The second program of the year will take place in the Fall, on Sept. 30, 2015, also at the Fairgrounds.
Students and senior groups interested in our history are encouraged to attend the historical programs.
