Attendees at the Gunflint Trail Historical Society (GTHS) annual pie and ice cream social on Saturday, September 5 also enjoyed the Chik-Wauk Museum exhibits. Above: Museum Director Bonnie Schudy had a very busy day.
The Gunflint Trail Historical Society (GTHS) celebrated its 10th anniversary in a big way, with several celebrations and the groundbreaking of phase 2 of the Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center.
On July 5, the historical society gathered at the Seagull Lake Community Center for a dinner catered by Carol Valentini of Valentini’s Vicino Lago in Duluth. Over 70 people enjoyed the wonderful meal and socializing.
Throughout July, work took place at the Chik- Wauk Nature Center grounds, clearing brush from building sites, pouring the foundation for the Nature Center with its beautiful patio and a multipurpose administrative building.
On Saturday, September 6, the public was invited to the annual Old Fashioned Pie and Ice Cream Social at Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center, held for the first time in the Nature Center.
Although the windows and doors are yet to be installed in the new Nature Center, a wonderful spread of pies was displayed on tables and generous scoops of ice cream were served to everyone seeking to cool off on one of the last days of summer weather.
Gunflint Trail author John Henricksson was at the museum signing his books including his most recent, Over the Portage, into History.
The new buildings in progress are part of a five-year plan which also includes three more structures: a marine pavilion; an example of a 1950s-era Chik-Wauk guest cabin; and a storage building for archive items.
Museum Director Bonnie Schudy had her hands full in the busy museum during the pie social, but before the big day, she shared a brief history of what it took to get Chik-Wauk to this point.
The museum and nature center are possible because of a partnership between the GTHS and the Superior National Forest, Gunflint Ranger District. It is on the property that was Chik- Wauk Lodge from the 1930s to 1980s. The museum opened in the historic stone lodge building in 2010.
Upper left: GTHS President Dave Tuttle was pleased with the pie selection. Above: In addition to interesting displays and scenic nature walks, Chik-Wauk offered “voyageur games.” These young ladies enjoyed a cup and paddle race. Lower left: Steve and Shonna Netland enjoyed pie amidst the construction.
Schudy said just the site planning and permitting for phase 2 took considerable time. It started in November 2014 with Bob Baker Sr. spearheading the efforts. As that work was being done, major fundraising was under way and the members of the GTHS stepped up and donated $250,000 toward the Chik- Wauk project.
However, Schudy said, that was not enough. Gunflint Lodge owner Bruce Kerfoot took the lead in the effort to find additional funding, meeting with Senator Tom Bakk and the late David Dill, to gauge the possibility of receiving state funding. Kerfoot, a member of the Cook County Chamber of Commerce, also enlisted that group’s assistance.
Kerfoot eventually found himself at the state Capitol, testifying before the House Legacy Committee about the importance of Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center to the Gunflint Trail, Cook County and indeed to the entire state.
After much work at the Capitol by Kerfoot and Cook County Chamber lobbyist Judy Erickson, during both the regular and special legislative sessions, a bill allocating $250,000 to Chik-Wauk finally passed.
Schudy said that, with the money raised by GTSH members, is enough to construct the planned buildings, but additional funding will be needed for some of the exhibits. So look for other Gunflint Trail Historical Society fundraising events in the future.
In the meantime, Schudy said, “Thank you to everyone involved in making this happen for the Gunflint Trail Historical Society and Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center!”
And, she invited everyone to visit. The Museum and Nature Center are open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily from Memorial Day through the third weekend in October, this year closing day is October 18.
Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center is located 55 miles up the Gunflint Trail just off of Moose Pond Drive.
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