Old Victoria Restoration

The Usimaki House (Visitors' center) is one of the restored, authentically furnished 1899-1921 miners' cabins clustered around the old Victoria Mine. Guided tours of the cabins are $5.

Three and a half miles south of Rockland is the Old Victoria Restoration, a cluster of log copper miners' houses built in 1899 around the shaft of the Victoria Mine.

Restoring and furnishing the houses is yet another area example of artfully improvised, bootstrap historic preservation. The restoration becomes more richly and accurately detailed as information and donated artifacts from Old Victoria descendants are added. It's supported by visitor fees plus a festive crafts fair with a lunch of Finnish foods, held on the third Sunday in August. Log Cabin Day on or around June 26 is another special event, with a concert and celebrated cinnamon rolls baked on the wood stoves.

The wood-fired cook stove inside the Usimaki cabin. Pains have taken to recreate the details of life at specific times in the cabins' histories.

Four houses are realistically furnished according to available historical information. One family researched and donated the entire kitchen contents that are authentic down to the rat trap. Tour guides now show visitors around. The Arvola
cabin was the home to up to 20 people, with the family downstairs and boarders up.

There is an unimproved, original house furnished as housing for single men, known as the Bachelors' Quarter. Part of the Usimaki House is now used as the visitor center.
The single-family Alexander House reflects the life of a relatively well-off mining family in 1920.

From Rockland, turn south just east of Henry's, go 3 1/2 miles south on the Victoria Dam Road. Open Mem. Day weekend thru color season, every day from 11:00 to 5:00, plus by appointment. (906) 886-2617. Now $5/person, $2/children 5-12. Handicap access to Visitor Center with assistance: uneven ground outside, several steps into houses, narrow doors. An "armchair tour" is available for those who do not wish to risk the barriers encountered during a full tour.

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