CALUMET - Mark Rowe didn't know anything about the Keweenaw Heritage Grants, or if the Keweenaw Historical Society would be eligible to apply, and he was hoping a presentation about the grants Tuesday would give him more information about the program.
Rowe, who attended the grant workshop presented by Keweenaw National Historical Park staff at their headquarters building on Red Jacket Road in Calumet, said he wanted to know if the KHS would be eligible for grants for some of its projects.
"We've taken on the stabilization and long-range plans for the Gay School (building)," said Rowe, who is a trustee of the KHS and on its maritime committee.
Article Photos
Kurt Hauglie/Daily Mining Gazette
Tom Baker, Keweenaw National Historical Park management assistant, left, and Scott See, KNHP Advisory Commission executive director, talk Tuesday about the $50,000 Keweenaw Heritage Grants each has available for projects or programs, which help tell the story of copper mining.
Other projects the organization is involved with include Central Mine properties and the Eagle River community building, and Rowe said he was very interested in hearing the presentation.
During the presentation about the grants, several KNHP staff and Scott See, executive director of the KNHP Advisory Commission, spoke about eligibility and the application process. Each organization has $50,000 in grant money available. Applicants must be able to provide a one-to-one match.
Jim Corless, KNHP superintendent, said he was very pleased with the turnout of about 55 people, because as a partnership park, KNHP is unique in the National Park Service, and relies on the participation of its partners.
"This is exemplary of what this park is about," he said. "The National Park Service is one of those partners with multiple functions."
Corless said the purpose of the KNHP is to tell the story of the copper-mining era, and those individuals and organizations seeking grants must help tell that story.
Tom Baker, KNHP management assistant, said the purpose of the presentation was to give possible applicants information for potential projects and programs, and give a timeline for the grant process.
Baker said any grants the park gives must be for properties or projects within its boundaries, but the Advisory Commission can give grants for properties or projects in Houghton, Keweenaw and Ontonagon counties.
See said the Advisory Commission members would like the grant amounts be for a minimum of $1,000.
"We have not specified a maximum," he said. "We left it wide open."
If it is especially worthy, See said one project or program could get the Advisory Commission's entire $50,000 in grant money. Matches can be cash or in kind.
See said to be eligible for an advisory commission grant, an applicant must be an owner or manager of a historic property or provide history programs about the copper-mining era.
Baker said park grants can be $1,000 to $50,000, also, but it won't accept in-kind matches.
Until 2009, Baker said the grant process for the park was a little more difficult, because a four-to-one match was required.
"One-to-one is a lot easier (for applicants)," he said.
The KNHP has 19 Heritage Site partners, and See said for the Advisory Commission, those sites need to be supported.
"We are going to give greater consideration to Heritage Sites," he said. "That doesn't mean it's a trump card."
During the presentation, other park staff spoke about possible eligible projects or properties, including protecting and displaying collections, historic landscapes, buildings or ruins, and histories, both documentary and oral.
Other KNHP staff members also spoke of the need to present interpretation for projects or properties, and said grants could be used to train personnel to provide interpretation. The grants could be used, also, to provide leadership and professional training for personnel.
Baker said applications are due April 26, awards will be given May 10, funds will be available June 15 and projects receiving grants must be completed by Dec. 31, 2011.
Grant applicants are strongly encouraged to seek consultation on their proposed projects from either KNHP, Advisory Commission staff or from a professional before submitting an application to ensure it's done as well and completely as possible, Baker said.
There will be another workshop about the application itself, but Baker said a date hasn't been determined yet.
After the presentation, Rowe said the other members of the KHS in attendance learned a lot about the grant program, and he expects the organization will apply.
"It gave us a lot of insight," he said.
For more information about the Heritage Grants, contact Tom Baker at 483-3016 or e-mail at thomas_m_baker @nps.gov, or Scott See at 483-3040 or scott_see @partner.nps.gov.
Kurt Hauglie can be reached at khauglie @mininggazette.com.