Stone Quarry Cottage, MI 2024
Discover the charm of Northern Michigan’s remote Grand Island and be part of a select group dedicated to restoring one of its oldest cottages!
PROJECT PARTNER: Hiawatha National Forest
SESSION DATES: July 14-19
PROJECT SUPERVISOR: Erin Crooks!
ASSISTANT PROJECT SUPERVISOR: Charles Dobry!
CREW LEADER: Marissa Hoffman!
Project Site Description & History
The Stone Quarry Cottage in Michigan is one of the oldest standing structures on Grand Island with historical evidence indicating that the cabin was built between 1845 and 1860 and used primarily as a home. By the turn of the century, the cabin became used as temporary shelter by transient residents, such as tourists and stone cutters. After Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Company purchased Grand Island in 1900, Stone Quarry Cabin was converted into a resort rental unit.
In recent years, volunteer efforts have played a crucial role in preserving the Stone Quarry Cottage and its surrounding landscape. Local history enthusiasts, conservation groups, and community volunteers have come together to maintain the site, ensuring that its historical and natural significance is not lost to time.
These efforts have included restoring the cottage, organizing educational tours, and promoting the area as a place of historical and ecological importance. Through these activities, volunteers have helped to bridge the past and present, ensuring that the cottage and its history remain a vibrant part of Michigan’s cultural landscape, while honoring the area’s Native American roots and fostering a deeper understanding of the region’s history.
Location and Logistics
SESSION DATES: July 14-19
Please plan to arrive at the campsite no earlier than 5pm and no later than 7pm on the first day of your session.
LOCATION: Located in Lake Superior just off the north shore of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula about one-half mile from the mainland community of Munising, Michigan.
MAP to STONE QUARRY COTTAGE
ACCESS: 
Tent campers will have access to our campground. Our project is located on Grand Island which is only accessible by a ferry and cannot transport vehicles. Showers will not be available. Dogs are allowed at this project but must be leashed.
WEATHER: Anticipate highs in the 70s and lows in the 50s. Weather conditions may be rainy, cloudy, or sunny. Volunteers are responsible for checking weather conditions before their session begins, and packing appropriately.
ABOUT VOLUNTEERING: HistoriCorps projects are free for volunteers! HistoriCorps will provide all meals, tools, training, equipment, and a campsite. Volunteers are responsible for their own transportation to the campsite, sleeping equipment, work gloves, clothes and boots, and other personal gear.
Scope of Work
SCOPE OF WORK DIFFICULTY: 
HistoriCorps is committed to educating and training volunteers in preservation skills, with an overarching mission of inspiring a preservation ethic in all those involved. Learning and working alongside expert HistoriCorps field staff, volunteers and applying the traditional skills necessary to restore the Stone Quarry Cottage:
- Replace cedar roofing.
- Make select log repairs with in-kind material.
Please note: Tasks vary by day and by week, depending on a variety of factors including: weather, project priorities, previous groups’ work, and more. Though it is likely you will get to learn and practice most or all of the above tasks, it is not guaranteed. The higher percentage of the scope a particular task is, the more likely you will get to practice it.
Sign Up!
We’re thrilled this project has inspired you to volunteer!
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!
Visit our Job Calendar to see spaces are available!
*All registrations submitted to projects at capacity will be automatically added to our waitlist.*
CANCELLATIONS effect our ability to complete projects. Please register only if you are certain about your ability to participate.
You will know your registration was successful when you receive a confirmation email. Contact volunteer@historicorps.org for assistance.
HistoriCorps does not charge for its volunteering projects. HistoriCorps relies on donations to continue engaging volunteers to save significant historical sites across America for generations to come. Your donation of any amount will make an incredible difference! Increase your impact – make a generous gift today.
Volunteer Logistics, Policies, and Advice
We’re so glad you’re interested in joining this project! If you’re new to our community, review the Volunteer FAQ first! Please note the following logistics and policies:
- Volunteering with HistoriCorps is free! We will provide all meals, tools, training, equipment, and a campsite or shared indoor lodging. Dinner is not provided on the first night.
- Volunteers are responsible for bringing their own gear, work gloves, sturdy work clothes and boots, and appropriate sleeping equipment. Check the average temperatures before you start packing – the nights and mornings may be colder than you anticipate! Then, read this advice about how to stay warm when tent camping in colder places.
- Campsite accessibility varies by project. Some projects can accommodate tents only; others can accommodate small RVs. Please review the project site description above for more information, and if you’re still not sure, email volunteer@historicorps.org for help.
- If this project does not offer showers, you might want to consider bringing a solar shower or research other methods to clean up after the work day.
- Volunteer crew sizes generally range from 4-8 volunteers, with two HistoriCorps staff that lead and train volunteers in the work.
- Safety is one of HistoriCorps’ top priorities, and volunteers can contribute to a safe working environment by ensuring their physical fitness is adequate for the work. See above for this project’s scope of work and difficulty level. Please, call us if you are not quite sure if a project is a good fit for your skills or fitness level. We may be able to suggest a project more suitable and enjoyable for you.
- Hard hats, eye protection, ear protection, gloves are standard personal protection equipment (PPE) required on all projects. Hard hats must be worn at all times on the project site, unless working in a designated safe space. Field staff will train volunteers on correct use of PPE.
- Dogs are generally allowed to accompany their humans in project campsites (actually, we love having dogs join us around the campfire!). Dogs are not permitted on the job site for everyone's safety. HOWEVER: HistoriCorps also follows the rules and regulations of our project partner. If the project partner does not permit dogs onsite then HistoriCorps is no exception. Please ask HistoriCorps or the project partner directly if you have any questions about whether Fido is welcome.