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BERGLAND
HERITAGE CENTER By
Tom Borseth The
Ottawa National Forest proposes to increase heritage,
recreation and eco-tourism opportunities in the Western Upper
Peninsula through the development of an interpretive heritage
center at the historic Bergland Ranger Station in Bergland,
Michigan. The
proposal urges the development of an interpretive plan to
further the efforts of the Western Upper Peninsula Planning
and Development Regional Commission’s Economic
Diversification Study of the Forest Interior Heritage Area in
Michigan’s Western Upper Peninsula.
This rural and economic development effort has
identified the community of Bergland as a potential “Heritage
Hub” located within the Forest Interior District of the
Western Upper Peninsula. Currently
the Ottawa National Forest has closed the Bergland office as
an active administrative site and is encouraging the adaptive
re-use of the site for public education and interpretive
activities. As a
member of the committee, I feel a good effective working group
is needed to preserve this historic site and possibly
incorporate future plans for an area museum.
Further we need good people with good ideas. It is a beautiful site and we must work together to preserve
it. The Bergland
location would be an ideal setting. The
Bergland Ranger Station, constructed in 1936 by the Civilian
Conservation Corps (CCC), was one of the first administrative
offices of its type built for the Ottawa National Forest. This vintage historical property is eligible for the National
Register of Historic Places and is one of the only remaining
administrative offices of its type within the Eastern Region
of the National Forest System. The
goal is to promote the cultural and historic character of the
Bergland site by restoring the existing historic structures.
They would be brought back to their 1930’s appearance
and will include interpretive media and literature, related
artifacts, tools, and period uniforms.
The restored administrative offices will provide an
educational experience as well as leave visitors with a better
appreciation of Forest Service history in the Great Lakes
area. Through a variety of partners, this center will sponsor living history workshops and presentations, cultural events, and activities that appeal to a broad range of interested people from within, and outside the local area. Through a variety of printed and electronic media, the Bergland site will connect visitors to attractions within the Ottawa National Forest, and other places of interest throughout the region. Interpretive planning will also consider the creation of interactive links to ongoing heritage tourism efforts, web site development and high-quality printed and electronic media. Lake
Gogebic Area Chamber of Commerce
We are Proud
Members of the This site and
all pages herein have been designed by and are hosted by 
 
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Bergland
