The Winter/Spring Program Series 2008 featured many interesting events beginning with The 1938 Storm of the Century by Karl Bohnak, author of “So Cold a Sky, Upper Michigan Weather Stories.” Attendees heard details, saw photographs and shared stories about the week of January 24, 1938. The right combination of energy, moisture and cold in just the right place unleashed an infamous blizzard that became the yardstick against which all other storms have been measured over the last 70 years. Inside the Museum with Curator Jo DeYoung & Librarian Rosemary Michelin featured a chance to see unique artifacts, hear some great stories and learn what treasures are included in the permanent collection of the Museum. The Last Great Train Robbery with Dick Rupley told the fascinating and head-shaking story of the first and only train robbery in the U.P. On September 15, 1893, three masked men boarded a Mineral Range passenger train in Boston, Michigan and stole the monthly payroll for Calumet and Hecla. It was one of the most lucrative train robberies in the USA.

The 90th Birthday Bash & Annual Meeting was held on February 25, 2008 at the Waterfront Restaurant. The event was for museum members only to celebrate 90 years of preserving and interpreting local history. Blaine Betts gave a motivating speech about the honor and importance of being involved in our community - to which everyone toasted. The evening ended with happy birthday being sung and everyone enjoying birthday cake.

The Summer Program Series 2007 began with a moving tribute to individuals who served the nation from the War of 1812 through the Vietnam War titled, In Service to Our Nation. This walking tour featured presentations by family members and tour guides, musical interludes, and closed with taps being played. The Presque Isle Walking Tour with NMU Geography Professor, Dr. John Anderton revealed the geologic, mining and Native American history of our unique City Park. On the Marquette Historic District Walking Tour Research Librarian, Rosemary Michelin and Museum Educator, Tiina Harris led a group of over 200 people on a walking tour examining the social history and personal stories of the pioneers who lived in some of the beautiful homes in the Ridge Street District. The Gone But Not Forgotten walking tour led by Board Member, Jim Koski explored “what used to be there” in downtown Marquette.

Fourth of July Celebration 2007 - The Museum held an afternoon of games, relay races and craft projects for the whole family in Lower Harbor Mattson Park.

The Winter/Spring Program Series 2007 included many interesting topics such as George Shiras the Photographer, a presentation by Jack Deo, who discussed the photographic achievements of George Shiras III. The program described how Shiras took the first nighttime photographs of wildlife by flashlight. Examples of camera equipment from that era and the actual photographs taken by Shiras were on display for the 100 participants to view. During Inside the Museum, participants learned about some of the very unique and interesting items from the permanent collection. Bedsheets and Burning Crosses: The History of the KKK in Upper Michigan, by NMU History Professor Russell Magnaghi, shed light on an organization that many people did not realize even existed in the Upper Peninsula.

The 2006 Summer Program Series was a great success! Remembering the Great Depression consisted of a panel of Fred Rydholm, Frank Richardson, and Mary Jane Schmidt who enthralled the audience with their tales of those trying times. The Marquette Historic District Walk hosted by James Quirk and his family was overwhelmed with more than 125 people interested in learning about the architecture and history of the Ridge Street/Arch Street district. Those who attended had a special treat when the Frazier family opened the Peter White carriage house on their property and provided photographs, lemonade and wonderful hospitality. The Museum and attendees thank the Fraziers and Quirks greatly! The Presque Isle Park Tour led by NMU Professor John Anderton had over 125 attendees who learned about the geology and human history of the park. Dr. Anderton discussed ancient rock formations, past shorelines and prehistoric archeological sites as the group walked around the park.

The Marquette County History Museum hosted the Lake Superior Community Partnership After Hours Business Showcase on March 22, 2006 along with the Union Grill of Marquette. Wonderful food and drinks were served, door prizes were drawn and visitors had a chance to view the model of the new building.

On March 9, 2006, the community was invited to attend Imagine the Possibilities, a public planning session to help design the new exhibit area in the former MarqTran building which the Museum is hoping to acquire this spring. A three dimensional model and blueprints of the new building were on display to inspire participants. Tiina Harris facilitated the event, giving an opening presentation and also collecting ideas from each of the discussion groups. Many great ideas came from the session. Some of the topics discussed were interactive displays, cultural heritage, Lake Superior, Native American culture and what it means to be a Yooper.

Annual Meeting and Program - On January 26, 2006, we had the annual business meeting. Following the meeting, we had a program by Karl Bohnak titled "So Cold a Sky, Upper Michigan Weather History." Awards for historic preservation were given to WNMU-Public-TV13 and Lon & Lynne Emerick.