Calumet once produced most of the copper extracted in the United States. In total, an estimated 10.5 billion pounds of critical minerals were produced throughout the region. Copper deposits are commonly found around the world, and the Finnish immigrants who came to the land of copper were not used to the shimmering brown and orange metal. A type of Finnish kalumet was known there as outokumpu. For most of the 20th century, Finnish towns were centered around Vanga Kaibos (former mine). This was the center of the country’s copper mining industry.
While traveling through the Outokumpu area last year as an artist and researcher in residence, Hancock resident and artist Daniel Schneider noticed many similarities between the Finnish town and the town of Calumet. Now that Schneider is back in Michigan’s copper country, he wants to share his discoveries about the Keweenaw Peninsula’s deep ties to Finland.
Tomorrow evening, he will host an artist presentation hosted by the Copper County Community Art Center. During the presentation, attendees will hear from Mr. Schneider about the similarities he draws between the two mining towns, see photos of Otuokumpu, and learn about the copper mining heritage of both regions. The presentation, “Outokumpu: Finalnd’s Calumet,” will be held at the Community Arts Center on Quincy Street starting at 6 p.m. Click here for more information about the presentation.