The Keweenaw Heritage Center at St. Anne’s, Calumet, is pleased to host “pre-season” events this summer. While the KHC is officially open for tours during July and August, it is available for events throughout the year.

Meetings,celebrations,meals for the Copper Dog, an antique car show, concerts–all are enjoyed in this historic setting.

A Celebration Concert will be held Saturday, May 25 at 2 p.m. To “Celebrate Lasting Love,” a variety of music and stories will be presented. Dr. Kathryn Summersett, Dr. Samantha Arten and Kathleen Alatalo-Arten will perform 17th century songs; accompanying instruments will be piano, organ and harpsichord. They will be joined by additional musicians for a set of old English/Scottish folk songs and a flash mob performance of J. S. Bach’s “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring”. (Bring your own score if available.) Ethan Arten and Jan List will perform on guitar, clarinet and organ, respectively, and Linnea Sieh will offer a veil dance. Another unique piece will be the world premiere of a musical setting of Lee Arten’s children’s book “Who Cares What You Want? I’m the Cat!” The first 50 attendees will be guests of the Artens in honor of their 50th wedding anniversary; further admissions ($5) and donations support the KHC general and pipe organ funds. Refreshments will follow in the Sandstone Hall.

On Monday, June 10, the KHC will celebrate its 30th birthday. The enormous task of restoration was begun on this date in 1994. From 7 to 9 p.m., the public is invited to a birthday open house recognizing significant donors and volunteers. Cake and coffee will be served in the Sandstone Hall, recently named for Bob Langseth, the principal “mover and shaker” of the move to save the building, an historic treasure. There is no admission charge for this event, though, as always, donations are cheerfully accepted. Opportunities to memorialize or honor people or events are available in the form of sponsoring a day of expenses, gift memberships, adopting an organ pipe, or joining the “Raise the Roof” campaign.

On Thursday, June 13, visitors from the Vernacular Architecture Forum will have the opportunity to take a scholarly look at the building. This event is open only to Forum participants. The KHC is honored to have been chosen as a tour stop.

Back to musical audiences, a Keyboard Petting Zoo will be offered on Friday, June 21, from noon to 3 p.m. Visitors will be able to see, learn about and even play the harpsichord, baby grand piano, pump organ and pipe organ–with supervision, of course! Cost for this event is the daily admission of $5 for adults.

Pipe organ matinees will resume at 2 p.m. on (most) Thursdays and Fridays, beginning on June 27. Jan List and Kathleen Arten play a series of themed concerts on the 1892 Barckhoff pipe organ, and invite visitors to visit as well. Occasionally, a guest organist will occupy the bench, as both are nice about sharing! (Admission of $5 applies.)

Located just at the entrance to Calumet’s downtown, the KHC and the Keweenaw National Historical Park Visitor Center across the way are imposing structures that make an impressive beginning to a downtown jaunt. The Calumet Art Center and Gallery and the Episcopal Church join the corner, formerly known as “Temple Square” or “Church Corner.”

Look for announcements of future events this summer. If the pre-season is this exciting, imagine what opportunities await!