Calumet Library to host slide presentation, book signing by Kim Hoagland

CALUMET -- Alison K. (Kim) Hoagland will present "Buildings for Workers," a slide show and talk based upon her recent book -- Mine Towns: Buildings for Workers in Michigan’s Copper Country, a 2010 Michigan Notable Book -- at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 22, 2011, in the computer lab adjacent to the Calumet Public Library

The presentation is to be followed by informal discussion and a book signing in the library; books will be available for sale at that time.

Author Kim Hoagland, left, now chair of the Keweenaw National Historical Park Advisory Commission, and Erik Nordberg (foreground, speaking), Quincy Mine Hoist Association Board member, lead visitors on a tour of Company Housing at the Quincy Mine in July 2008. (Keweenaw Now file photo)*

Hoagland’s book explores the influence of mining companies upon domestic life during the early days of the mining boom. It highlights the architecture of immigrant communities -- the homes, churches, and schools in the Keweenaw’s company towns during the nineteenth century, providing a look at the daily life of the working class.

Alison K. (Kim) Hoagland is professor emerita at Michigan Technological University, where she taught history and historic preservation for fifteen years. Before that, she was senior historian at the Historic American Buildings Survey of the National Park Service. She has been a member of the Michigan State Historic Preservation Review Board and president of the Vernacular Architecture Forum. She chairs the Keweenaw National Historical Park Advisory Commission.

Kim Hoagland signs a copy of her book Mine Towns: Buildings for Workers in Michigan’s Copper Country for visitors to her July 2010 book signing at North Wind Books in Hancock. (Keweenaw Now file photo)

This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Calumet Public Library.

Calumet Library summer hours are Summer Library hours, June 5 - Sept. 9, are Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri. - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Wed. - 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Calumet Public Library will be closed: July 4, Aug. 1-12 and Sept. 5.

For more information, visit the library or call 337-0311 ext. 1107.

*Editor's Note: See our July 8, 2008, article "Quincy Anniversary Special Events to include Tour of Company Housing July 10," with historic photos of company housing and more about author Kim Hoagland.