Your Welcome Center

We understand the Welcome Center is near and dear to some of our residents. We want to put our plans out there so folks understand what’s going on, can ask questions and give constructive feedback.

A little history;
CHIA General has been the authority behind the visitor since its inception…

CHIA was founded in 1971 by Harold Wescoat, Violet Miller and Ethel King. When the first visitor center was built, the township received a grant for $90k, CHIA donated $20k raised specifically for the project, the Shepherd of the Sea church donated $6k with an agreement that they could use the area for services until they could build their own church.

The CHDDA received and matched a grant for the expansion and improvement of the current building. That is when the fire hall moved to a separate building and the fire garage became the visitor center. The DDA funded the interior décor and purchased misc items including the display cases.

CHIA has always been responsible for maintaining and running the vc. The Copper Harbor DDA has been funding the vc for many years; including projects and our attendant’s wages.

CHIA wrote and presented the vc improvement project to the CHDDA. The project was approved and funded.

When taking on this project, we researched other WC’s and articles about the changing needs of the visitors. The WC’s ranged from totally interactive, self-guided centers to those based on importance of the human touch. There’s a lot to consider, but one thing we do know, is the CH WC is outdated and behind the times in a big way. Ideas were exchanged and we discussed the project extensively.

What’s changing

Adding:
3 interactive touch screen kiosks featuring all the things to do the harbor
A seating area around a big screen TV playing a looped video of things of interest in the area
The west wall will showcase, 4 wall size vertical scenic prints depicting the seasons

The broken display cases are being removed. Some of the display cases will remain and be used for displays of places of interest and historical items.

Some of the items with historical significance will be moved or restructured to meet space requirements.

This is the beginning of a new era for our Welcome Center! We will be updating the progress as we move along.