As summer heats up, residents and visitors alike are looking for ways to cool off in the Copper Country. Back in July 1953, one of the hottest tickets on the Keweenaw Waterway was the Tommy Bartlett Water Ski and Jumping Boat Show.
According to the Daily Mining Gazette, “A fascinated and astonished audience crowded the shores of Portage Lake… Every performer, both male and female, was a professional as well as a champion, and each was outstanding in his difficult acts.”
Do you remember the Tommy Bartlett show coming to the Keweenaw? Or do you have a favorite way to cool off on a hot summer day? Share your memories in the comments!
About the Archives
The Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections houses a wide variety of print, graphic and manuscript resources related to the history and culture the Copper Country and Michigan Technological University. If you would like to research in the archives, appointments are available from 1-5 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Appointments may be requested by calling (906) 487-2505 or by filling out the request form on the archives website. If you have any questions regarding archives services, collections, or remote research help, please reach out to (906) 487-2505 or e-mail us at copper@mtu.edu. The Michigan Tech Archives can also be found on Facebook (Michigan Tech Archives), Instagram (@michigantecharchives), and X (@mtuarchives).