July 18, 2006

When the First Michigan Infantry mustered into federal service on May 1, 1861, just two weeks after the fall of Fort Sumter heralded civil war, President Abraham Lincoln is said to have breathed, "Thank God for Michigan."

It was not Michigan's manpower alone that helped preserve the Union.  Its iron ore resources fueled industrial might that saved a nation.

President and Mrs. Lincoln, portrayed by Fred and Bonnie Priebe of Belleville, Mich., will be among a distinguished group of speakers, actors and musicians when the Michigan Iron Industry Museum presents a full schedule of Civil War-related programs on Saturday, July 29, and Sunday, July 30.  The two-day special event, "Iron Ore and the Civil War," will combine a living-history encampment, demonstrations, period music, children's games and dramatic performances.

The museum is located at 73 Forge Road in Negaunee Township, opposite the Negaunee cemetery.  Admission is free, although donations are welcomed to help support museum education programs.

Professional educators since 1969, the Priebes have portrayed Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln before audiences in eight states, as well as Canada, Australia, France and England.  Their dramatic presentations bring the Lincolns to life, focusing on Lincoln's patriotism, leadership and character as well as the national issues that challenged his presidency. 

"From cannons, costumes and demonstrations, to music, actors and kids' games, this event has something for everyone interested in the Civil War," according to Barry James, an education specialist at the museum.

Highlighting the weekend event will be Battery D, 1^st Michigan Light Artillery, a Civil War-era living-history group.  Recreating the volunteer artillery unit organized at White Pigeon, Mich., in 1861, the group will interpret army life of the period, demonstrating artillery and small arms drills, period cooking and soldiers' pastimes. 

A detachment of Company E, 17^th Michigan Infantry will also take part while other re-enactors interpret civilian life on the periphery of the army camps.  Their combined encampment will feature tents, a full-scale artillery piece, authentically reproduced costumes, cooking gear and other period artifacts.

Kids of all ages can try their hand at 19^th-century children's activities or just watch as costumed youth from the museum's student auxiliary, "The Future Historians," demonstrate croquet, snap-apple, hoop and stick, stilts and blind man's buff.

The sounds of the 1860s will mingle with the smell of wood fires, "Johnny cake" and black powder when the Ishpeming string band "Homegrown Strings" captures the poignancy, patriotism and humor of music from the Civil War era, with renditions ranging from Stephen Foster's "Hard Times" to "Just Before the Battle, Mother" and "Goober Peas."  The group has delighted Upper Peninsula audiences with its musicianship, harmonious vocals, and an endearing stage presence for more than a dozen years.  Its musical arrangements include the bass, violin, mandolin, banjo, guitar and trademark hammer dulcimer.

The two-day schedule includes:

• Living-history encampment featuring Battery D, 1^st Michigan Light Artillery, Company E, 17^th Michigan Infantry, and civilian impressions:  9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Saturday) and 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Sunday).
   
• "The Civil War" (Ken Burns video):  10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday and Sunday.
   
• Artillery demonstration:  11:30 a.m., 1, 2:30 and 4 p.m. (Saturday) and 11:30 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. (Sunday).
   
• 19^th-century children's activities; snap-apple contests, croquet, hands-on toys and games:  noon to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday.
   
• "Just Before the Battle, Mother," music of the Civil War, Homegrown Strings in concert:  1:30 p.m. (Saturday).
   
•   "A Visit with the Lincolns," dramatic performance, Fred and Bonnie Priebe:  3 p.m. (Saturday) and 1:30 p.m. (Sunday). 

"Michigan's iron industry has transformed America," said Thomas Friggens, a regional manager for the Michigan Historical Center, "from fueling its industrial revolution and preserving the Union in the 19^th century, to putting America on wheels and helping to win two world wars as the Arsenal of Democracy in the 20^th century."

Michigan's contribution to the war effort was impressive.  Ninety thousand Michiganians – 50 percent of the state's military-age male population – went to war.  Over 14,000 died.

From 1861 to 1865, Upper Peninsula iron mines, including Negaunee's Jackson Mine and Ishpeming's Lake Superior Mine, set production records that fueled the industrial growth of the North as wartime manufacturing expanded to meet the needs of the military, the civilian population and international trade. 

But, the war also brought new challenges to the Marquette Iron Range.  "As a nation," Marquette's Lake Superior News and Mining Journal noted in 1862, "we are consuming more iron than at any former period.  … The difficulty is not now demand or price, but labor – the war has so thinned us out that the men are not left to carry on the mining and manufacture of the country as the agents wish." 

By war's end, despite labor shortages at the mines, Michigan had catapulted from an agrarian economy to industrial prominence.  On July 29-30, "Iron Ore and the Civil War" will commemorate that proud regional heritage.

The Michigan Iron Industry Museum is one of 11 nationally accredited museums administered by the Michigan Historical Center, an agency within the Department of History, Arts and Libraries.  It overlooks the site of the Carp River Forge, a pioneer industrial site listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  The recently expanded museum, including a new museum store, is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  For more information call (906) 475-7857 or visit online at www.michiganhistory.org.

The Department of History, Arts and Libraries is dedicated to strengthening the economy and enriching the quality of life for Michigan residents by providing access to information, preserving and promoting Michigan's heritage and fostering cultural creativity.  In addition to the Michigan Historical Center, it includes the Library of Michigan, the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the Michigan Film Office.  To learn more, visit www.michigan.gov/hal.

Read more press releases from the Department of History, Arts and Libraries.