Nancy Haun was busy this past week capturing the Canadian National on the L’Anse Hill, passing through the Rock Cut between Herman and Summit, crossing Dault’s Creek on the bridge there and adding in a bonus shot of the Falls River which looks to be flowing quite well right now. I’m sure some of the snow melt we’ve been having helps to feed the river’s waters, too. I always enjoy Nancy’s photos of the trains in various locations, but with a bit of snow on the ground they really stand out that much more it seems. The trains are one of Nancy’s passions, so I imagine it feeds her soul to get out there and capture them coming and going from the L’Anse/Baraga area. I’m just thankful she is always more than willing to share the trains with all of us.

We head back to Houghton for a visit to the A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum with Visit Keweenaw. This museum is the official Mineral Museum of Michigan and the unofficial Mineral Museum of the Great Lakes Region. A visit to the A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum is an experience of the beauty and splendor of incredible mineral specimens from around the world.

When I see trains I immediately think
Nancy Haun. Good set, Nancy!
And a good video too. I wonder
how many times Capt. Paul and
Dr. Nat have stopped by that place.

That Mineral Museum is off the charts. If you EVER
get a chance to visit....please do. I know a lot of
us living here don't give it a second thought. I
was one of those people, till a few years ago, when
we decided to hit it. (HI LOU) You will not believe
the stunning beauty of rocks till you hit this
place. Lou doesn't even like rocks, but even she
was amazed at this place!

I'm with Alex. When I see the trains, I know who
took the pictures. Thanks for always sharing them
with us, Nancy. Love the picture of the river
also.

The A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum is one of my favorite stopping places and is a real "GEM" of the State of Michigan.

Back in the early 1970's, as a student of electrical engineering, I would retreat to study on the top floor of the now demolished Hotchkiss Hall. It was almost always deserted except for me and all the rocks and minerals stored there as the location of the museum at that time. I think that's where I found my passion for geology. It later moved to the new E.E. building until they built the present stand alone location of today.

It's a very nice video today and helps to capture the real beauty of the site. I recommend a visit to everyone. Also, that 17 ton piece of pure copper on display needs some additional info the video left out. It was discovered by a local agate hunter and scuba diver, Bob Barron. He spent a huge amount of time and energy to convince the State and financial supporters to recover and transport it to its present location.

Here is a link to many photos I took in 2013:
A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum 2013

Hi D.A. (Midwested)

Does that mean that there still is a large block of pure native copper in the Smithsonian Museum?

I think, but not positive, that the block was found upstream along the Ontonagon River in the 1880s. Exact river is a guess but on the West side of the Keweenaw near Ontonagon.

JT

Hello JT,

I believe you are speaking about what has become known as "The Ontonagon Boulder". It probably does still reside in the Federal Museum system somewhere, under the supervision of the Smithsonian. At approximately 4.5 tons it is small in comparison to "The Great Sand Bay Boulder", which weighs about 17 tons. It was on display for awhile at the Quincy Mine Hoist until a place was created at the A.E. Seaman Museum. It is the current world record holder for the largest piece of native float copper.