VAF 2024 Annual Meeting

North of the Northwoods: From Mines to Motels on Michigan’s Lake Superior

June 12-15

Keweenaw, Michigan

Conference Details

(Hot links in orange will take you directly to Keweenaw Conference Pages.)

More detailed information about the conference may be found at the About the Conference page. 

A tentative schedule and costs may be found on the Conference Schedule pages.

Hotel and transportation information may be found here.

The conference is headquartered at Houghton Hampton Inn, Wednesday-Friday, June 12-14, with all Thursday and Friday tours departing from the hotel.  Paper sessions will be held on the Michigan Technicalogical College campus at the Memorial Union Building on Saturday, June 15.

The conference will officially begin on Thursday, June 13, with optional/ala carte offerings on Wednesday afternoon and evening. The keynote will be at 11:15 in the Calumet Theater during the Thursday Tours.

Conference Registration costs can be found here.

Registration will be open on February 20, 2024

Looking to make the most of your time in the UP? Check out this special travel page made exclusively for VAF visitors by Visit Keweenaw.

Contact Michelle Jones, VAF Conference Coordinator with questions about the conference at conference@vafweb.org .



  1. Bella Vista Motel, Copper Harbor, 1950s. Photo Travis Olson.

  2. Calumet Theatre and Village Hall addition, Calumet, 1900. Photo Eric Gollanek. 

  3. Eagle River, 1850s and later. Photo Keweenaw NHP, Ryan Holt.

  4. Blacksmith Shop, Kemppa Farm, Misery Bay, c.1900. Photo Sarah F. Scarlett.

  5. Quincy Mine Shaft-Rock House #2 and Hoist Houses, Hancock. Photo Keweenaw National Historical Park. 

  6. Fieldwork Students at Eagle Harbor Lighthouse, 1857. Photo Sarah F. Scarlett

  7. 5th Street, Calumet. Photo Keweenaw NHP

  8. Red Jacket Fire Station, Calumet, 1898. Photo Keweenaw NHP  

  9. Lake Superior at Sunset 

  10. Shute’s Bar, Calumet, 1895. Photo Travis Olson. 

  11. Minnetonka Motel and Cabins, Copper Harbor, 1939. Photo Travis Olson. 

  12. Aitta, Finnish-style granary, Kemppa Farm, Misery Bay, c.1900. Photo Chris Charteris. 

  13. Animal Barn, Kemppa Farm, c.1900. Photo Sarah F. Scarlett. 

  14. Company Housing, Tamarack Location, Calumet, 1890s. Photo Keweenaw NHP, Ryan Holt. 

  15. Keweenaw Mountain Lodge, WPA project, Copper Harbor, 1934-35. Photo Travis Olson. 

  16. Remains of the Ahmeek Stamp Mill, Hubbell, c.1910. Photo Keweenaw NHP, Ryan Holt.



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