The Keweenaw National Historical Park (headquarters: 25970 Red Jacket Rd., Calumet, 906/337-3168, www.nps.gov/kewe, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Mon.–Fri.) is not so much a place on a map but a place in time. The state’s newest national park, it was established in 1992 “to commemorate the heritage of copper mining on the Keweenaw Peninsula—its mines, its machinery, and its people.”

Rather than a park with simply defined boundaries, the Keweenaw National Historical Park consists of historic attractions throughout the Keweenaw. Two units anchor the park—the Quincy Unit at the Quincy Mine in Hancock and the Calumet Unit in historic downtown Calumet—but some of this land remains in private ownership.

The National Park Service owns just a limited amount of land to preserve key sites and conduct interpretive activities. In addition, the park has designated “cooperating sites” throughout the peninsula, including mine tours and museums that will also remain in private ownership, but will continue to benefit from increased visibility and federal monies.