Your Welcome Center

We understand the Welcome Center is near and dear to some of our residents.

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 welcome 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 WC. The Copper Harbor DDA has been funding the it for many years; including projects and our attendant’s wages.

We research other WC’s and articles about the changing needs of the visitors. Other WC’s range from totally interactive, self-guided centers to those based on the importance of the human touch. Realizing in 2021 that WC was outdated and behind the times in a big way, ideas were exchanged and we started making some great changes. The Welcome Center is like anything else in the industry, it needs to be maintained, updated, and kept in touch with the ever changing tourist needs, especially when it come to technology.

We welcome any comments, questions or ideas you may have regarding the WC.