Photo: Chik-Wauk Museum & Nature Center

By Sammie Garrity - Boreal Community Media - July 2, 2025

On July 5th, the Gunflint Trail Historical Society (GTHS) and the Chik-Wauk Museum & Nature Center will celebrate two major milestones: the 20th anniversary of the GTHS and the 15th birthday of Chik-Wauk. These aren’t just a simple mark of time, however. They represent a shared vision and community dedication to sharing an appreciation for the North Shore. 

It all began with the Gunflint Trail Scenic Byway Committee in 2004. This group was given the responsibility of preserving and protecting the Gunflint Trail’s condition and character, as well as identifying prominent areas that needed further development. 

“The group started at the first known sight along the Trail at Swamper Lake and then proceeded up the road to other possible sites when one member insisted we go as far as the old Chik-Wauk resort,” said Campus Director Bonnie Schudy. 

The process that followed the exploration was a proposal to not only save a singular building, but also a movement to preserve heritage. The idea of turning the Chik-Wauk building into a museum progressed among the committee until Gunflint Lake residents Ron Hemstad and his wife Betty pushed this mission forward. They became the organization’s first leaders and officially formed the Gunflint Trail Historical Society in 2005. 

One of the first goals of the GTHS was to protect the quickly fading memory of the Gunflint Trail. Native Americans, ancestors of those who first lived in the area, along with early settlers, were aging out, and their stories were becoming less than a distant memory. Chik Wauk created a solution for this loss, becoming a space where oral histories, artifacts, and photographs could all be collected and remembered for years to come. 

“The mission has evolved exponentially over the past 15 years with not only the historical past, but the inclusion of the natural world in border country on both earth and into the heavens,” said Schudy.

Post-inception challenges arose quickly for the organization, including difficult negotiations with government agencies, raising funds, and finding a team for the endeavor, as well as navigating the aftermath of the tragic Ham Like Fire. Despite these obstacles, the group remained strong and steadfast in their mission to reach their destination.  

With a monumental restoration of the historic Chik-Wauk lodge, thousands of volunteer hours logged, and five years of unwavering commitment to the mission, the Chik-Wauk Museum & Nature Center opened its doors on July 4th, 2010. 

Beginning on that first day, it was clear that Chik-Wauk was more than a museum. It quickly became a safe space for stories to be shared, memories to be celebrated, and natural history to be guarded. 

For those involved from the start, the museum acted as a shared commitment to honor the sacred past. Chik-Wauk wouldn’t be possible without those individuals and without the volunteers who continue to give the center life every day. So many people have given their labor and their time in order to keep Chik-Wauk running and succeeding every day. 

“From the very beginning, the community of volunteers has given elbow grease and personal resources to make the GTHS and Chik-Wauk a success story—the likes of which continue to raise the bar,” said Schudy.

All the long hours spent laboring, welcoming visitors, and planning tours and events turned these volunteers' idea into a reality. None of it exists because one person had a plan; it is because a community had a purpose. 

“While leaders may craft great ideas, it is the hard work and generosity of countless volunteers that bring those visions to life,” said Schudy.

One very unique aspect about the museum is that it isn’t only about human history. The programming has expanded over the last decade to cover the physical history of the region. Everything from geology to wildlife is included in the Nature Center. 

Visitors are able to sit and listen to local residents tell stories about old adventures, look at old boats and canoes in the water exhibit, and gaze up at the sky in one of the few Level-1 Dark Sky areas in the U.S (the organization also offers a live dark sky cam users can access online). There is always something new going on at the museum, as well. With each season, it brings new exhibits, updated programming, and more stories. 

“Young people are engaged with the fascination of living things at the Nature Center, which also draws parents into the excitement of wilderness activity,” said Schudy.

The latest museum exhibit coincides with Chik-Wauk’s anniversary, exploring the origin story of the museum and honoring those individuals who had a vivid dream of turning an abandoned resort into a successful cultural landmark. 

They had “no guidebook, no instructions—just a shared vision to preserve the history of the Gunflint Trail and bring it to life at Chik-Wauk,” said Schudy.

GTHS and Chik-Wauk’s legacy is heavily intertwined with the community. Schudy reflected deeply on how “Chik-Wauk and the Gunflint Community are glued to each other,” cementing how impossible this dream would have been without the people who wanted to love the land, honor its history, and share its story.

Looking to the future, physical expansion remains unlikely, but the Board of Trustees and staff are committed to growing in less tangible ways by consistently promoting new exhibits, deepening the programming, and upholding the stories of underrepresented people. The past two decades are living proof of what can happen when passion meets direction. The next chapter will be full of more stories, more visitors, and more education on the history of the people who once called this land home.

Come July 5th, there will be a celebration that pays tribute to the organization's progress. It will recognize the service of volunteers and celebrate the accomplishments and growth. The festivities will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. At 1:00 p.m., longtime resident Sue Kerfoot will share the story of how the GTHS and the Chik-Wauk Museum came to be. Afterwards, people can take a guided hike with Naturalist Emma Adams and learn more about the rich history of the Chik-Wauk property. Afterwards, the museum is open for exploration of this year’s special temporary exhibit. 

“This anniversary marks another moment of time in Gunflint's history of which founders and followers are most proud,” said Schudy. 

With food and drink, storytelling, and immersion in nature, everyone is welcome to gather together as part of a community that has always and will always celebrate what’s been built and honor the spirit that built it.