CALUMET - According to Scott See, some of the projects important to the Keweenaw National Historical Park's Advisory Commission might not get done without funding from the Americana Foundation.
See, who is the Advisory Commission executive director, said currently, the Americana Foundation is helping to fund a survey of historic resources in the Copper Country, with the intention of attempting to get certain areas listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
"They've provided a large chunk of the funding for the first two phases (of the survey)," he said.
In 2010, See said the foundation provided a grant for the survey of resources in Ontonagon County. This year, it's helping to fund the survey in Keweenaw and southern Houghton counties.
"The total cost of that effort is $73,000, and Americana has provided $35,000," he said.
See said a portion of Baraga County was surveyed earlier this year, and in 2012, northern Houghton County will be surveyed, and the Americana Foundation is a big part of the project, because otherwise other funding sources would have to be found.
"They are a major partner in allowing us to move forward with the survey project," he said. "(Without them) it would probably take twice as long."
According to the Novi, Mich.-based Americana Foundation's website:
"The purpose of the Americana Foundation is to support educational and advocacy programs that address the preservation of American agriculture, the conservation of natural resources and the protection and presentation of expressions of America's heritage. We focus on two program areas of protection, preservation and education:
American heritage expressed through its material culture;
Natural resources and agriculture through land use and growth management."
Marlene Fluharty, executive director of the Americana Foundation, said the granting organization began as a way for founders Adolph and Ginger Meyer to help preserve historic furniture.
"The Meyers collected early American furniture and decorative art that were handcrafted in New England," she said. "(Adolph Meyer) actually set up a trust in 1962 to fund some philanthropic donations."
Fluharty said Adolph Meyer was an auto parts manufacturer working for Ford Motor Company, and he and Ginger lived in Bloomfield Hills, Mich.
In 1978, Fluharty said the Americana Foundation grew from that initial philanthropic organization. Now, although most of the grants the organization provides are for Michigan-based projects, some granting goes to organizations in other states east of the Mississippi River.
Fluharty said in 1998 the foundation began providing grants for Copper Country-based projects because of a connection the Meyers had to the Keweenaw.
"The family began to realize a couple relatives had worked in the mines, especially in Calumet," she said. "We kind of started with (the Keweenaw Heritage Center at) St. Anne's," she said.
Since 1998, Fluharty said the KHC has received somewhere between $75,000 and $100,000 for various projects.
Phyllis Locatelli, chairwoman of the KHC board of trustees, said the foundation has provided grants for several repair projects, including the building's sandstone facade, roof and flashing, the steeple, basement restrooms, choir loft, stairs, walls, floors, entrance, turrets and vestibules.
"We have been very grateful to the Americana Foundation," she said. "Without the assistance of the foundation, the building would be a long way from the beauty it now possesses."
Evan McDonald, executive director of the Keweenaw Land Trust, said the foundation has been very supportive of the land preservation organization.
In 2003 and 2005, McDonald said the foundation provided funds which allowed the organization to hire part-time staff.
McDonald said grants from the foundation have helped with development of stewardship plans for Manitou Light Station Preserve, and facilities and site improvements at Lightfoot Bay Preserve in Baraga County.
"We are so fortunate that the Americana Foundation has a special interest in the Keweenaw," he said. "Their support over the years has helped the Keweenaw Land Trust program grow tremendously with important project success to show for their involvement."
Fluharty said the Americana Foundation has also provided grants to help get Lake Linden, Laurium and Mason on the National Register of Historic Places through the efforts of KNHP Advisory Commission chairwoman and former Michigan Technological University professor of industrial archaeology Kim Hoagland.
Lake Linden received $127,000 for work on its town hall.
There have been 15 grantees in the Copper Country since 1998, Fluharty said.
In the last 10 years or so, Fluharty said the Americana Foundation has granted about $800,000 every year. Since 1998, about $800,000 has gone to Copper Country projects.
"It's great to work for a board of trustees that are willing to fund small organizations and take on a part of Michigan where it's not easy to raise money."
However, it's uncertain if the board will continue to fund Copper Country-based projects, but Fluharty said it is possible.
"It's up to the board," she said. "There's never any guarantee about the future."
