Press Releases

Hues of History: Celebrating the Historic Landscape through Creative Interpretation

For Immediate Release
Hancock, MI – March 5th 2026 

          The Quincy Mine Hoist Association (QMHA) is featuring a celebration of the region’s rich artistic culture as part of its 65th anniversary. Through a series of art-focused events, the Association is inviting the community to explore the enduring relationship between creativity and the historic mining landscape that continues to inspire individuals across the nation.
          For generations, the iconic structures and sweeping vistas of the Quincy Mine have served as a powerful muse. Rising above the landscape, the mine’s architecture, machinery, and industrial character reveal a unique beauty – one that speaks not only to engineering achievement, but also to the human stories that shaped the Copper Country.
          Today, QMHA has issued a Call for Entries from artists of all ages and experience levels. Individuals are invited to submit artwork that explore themes represented by the physical landscape such as the emotional resonance of place embodied by its unique blend of natural and cultural beauty. Selected works will be featured in a community exhibition titled “In the Shadow of the Shafthouse: Art Inspired by Our Mining Landscape.” The exhibit will be prominently displayed in Quincy Mine’s 1894 Hoist House.
          For more than 20,000 visitors that will embark on one of Quincy’s interpretive mine tours this year, the exhibited works will offer an additional lens through which to encounter the landscape – illustrating diverse artistic perspectives while highlighting the cultural and historical significance of the site. The exhibit’s opening this spring and closure in the fall will coincide with two Plein-Air Art Days, during which the Association encourages local creators to immerse themselves in the inspiring landscape by creating “en plein air” amid the historic features and natural beauty.
          By emphasizing artistic interpretation alongside historic preservation, QMHA aims to deepen public engagement with the site and celebrate the ways in which the landscape continues to inspire creativity, memory, and community connection.

          For information on submission guidelines please visit the events page on Quincymine.com. Additional Details regarding Plein Air Art Days will be announced in the coming weeks.

Prepared By:   Clayton P. Gomez – Chief of Interpretation

Signed By:       Glenn Anderson – Board President

                          Tom Wright – Executive Director

A Legacy Worth Supporting: QMHA Unveils Revitalized Membership Program

For Immediate Release
Hancock, MI – February 1st 2026

          As part of its year-long 65th anniversary celebration, the Quincy Mine Hoist Association today launched a redesigned membership program open to both individuals and corporations. The program refreshes the Association’s commitment to preservation and interpretation while giving back to the community through a series of membership “reward” levels.
          The disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 presented the Hoist Association with significant challenges, forcing many of its peripheral programs to be placed on hold. While the Association successfully navigated these obstacles and is now experiencing its fourth consecutive record-breaking year of operations, many supporters have remained unaware of this success due to the absence of the traditional membership program.
          To address this gap, the Hoist Association has completely reimagined its membership offerings, placing greater emphasis on community engagement and transparency. The redesigned program focuses on giving back to supporters while providing clearer insight into how visitor support contributes to the Association’s continued success. A variety of membership levels are available to accommodate differing interests and donation preferences. Each level includes “rewards” such as site-specific merchandise, discounts, coupons, email updates, and a subscription to the Association’s newsletter.
          While individual memberships are expected to attract broad public interest, the Hoist Association also maintains strong relationships with businesses throughout the Houghton–Hancock area and across the nation. Corporate memberships are available for businesses seeking to expand their support and partnership with the Association.
          At every level, membership support enables the Quincy Mine Hoist Association to plan for the future—preserving local history, expanding programming, increasing accessibility, and fostering a deeper understanding of the Copper Country’s rich mining heritage.
          For further information regarding membership and to register, please visit Quincymine.com,
give us a call, or drop by the Gift Shop located on Highway 41.

Prepared By:   Clayton P. Gomez – Chief of Interpretation

Signed By:       Glenn Anderson – Board President

                          Tom Wright – Executive Director

65 Years of Preserving the Past and Shaping the Future at the Quincy Mine

For Immediate Release
Hancock, MI – January 1st 2026

          The Quincy Mine Hoist Association (QMHA) proudly announces a year-long celebration of its 65th anniversary, commemorating more than six decades of sustained commitment to the preservation, interpretation, and public understanding of the Copper Country’s rich industrial and social history.
          Established in 1961 as the collapse of the area’s copper industry became undeniable, the Association emerged at a critical moment for industrial heritage conservation. It has since played a key role in safeguarding the physical and cultural legacy of one of the nation’s most important copper mining operations. Today, the Association oversees preservation efforts that bring millions of dollars into the local economy while nurturing public understanding by providing in-depth interpretive tours to more than 21,000 guests annually. This anniversary provides an opportunity to reflect on such immense growth, recognize contributions made by generations of dedicated volunteers, staff, and supporters, and approach the future with renewed vigor.
          Throughout 2026 the QMHA will host a variety of commemorative events and initiatives designed to celebrate this milestone and deepen community engagement. The anniversary year will also introduce a redesigned membership program to support long-term sustainability, expanded interpretive and educational offerings to engage contemporary audiences, and additional opportunities for involvement and support that reflect the organization’s evolving mission and vision.
          As the Association looks to the future, the 65th anniversary serves not only as a commemoration of past achievement, but also as an affirmation of the Association’s ongoing responsibility to preserve and interpret this nationally significant site for future generations. The public is invited to join in recognizing this milestone and participating in the anniversary year’s programs and activities.
          Further information regarding anniversary initiatives will be released throughout 2026. For more information, please visit Quincymine.com or follow the Quincy Mine Hoist Association on social media.

Prepared By:   Clayton P. Gomez – Chief of Interpretation

Signed By:       Glenn Anderson – Board President

                          Tom Wright – Executive Director