submitted by Shannon Brodeur,
Library
The life and experiences of Lucena Brockway will be the
topic of a public presentation at 6:30 p.m., Thursday,
July 28, in the East Reading Room of the J.R. Van Pelt
Library and John and Ruanne Opie Library. The
presentation is part of the "Archival Speakers Series"
and is free and open to the public.
Kathleen Warnes, an independent scholar based in
Allendale, will discuss her research into the life of
Lucena Brockway, an early pioneer resident of the
Keweenaw Peninsula.
A native of New York State, Lucena arrived in the Lake
Superior region in 1843 with her husband, Daniel
Brockway, as one of the first white families to settle
the area. Initially living in L'Anse, where Daniel
worked as a government blacksmith, the Brockways moved
to Copper Harbor in 1846 and remained linked to the
Keweenaw until their deaths in 1899.
Details of Lucena's life are captured in a series of
personal diaries, photographs, and family and business
papers preserved at the archives. As her children
matured and left home, and as her husband spent more and
more time at his various business ventures, Lucena found
herself increasingly isolated and alone. Brockway's
diaries document her daily activities and struggles,
pointing out the type of independent character required
of women in the copper-mining frontier.
Warnes's research is supported by an Archives Travel
Grant, with funding provided by the Friends of the Van
Pelt Library. Since 1998, the program has assisted more
than 25 scholars with their research.
For more information, call the archives at 487-2505,
email
copper@mtu.edu or visit
pioneer.
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