Museum of Ojibwa Culture Receives Michigan Arts and Culture Council Grant for Father Marquette Mission Park Enhancements

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Museum of Ojibwa Culture Receives Michigan Arts and Culture Council Grant for Father Marquette Mission Park Enhancements

The City of St. Ignace is pleased to announce that the Museum of Ojibwa Culture has been awarded a $9,000 Experience Support Program grant from the Michigan Arts and Culture Council (MACC). This award was approved by the MACC on September 20, 2024.

These funds will support a series of preservation and enhancement projects at the historic Father Marquette Mission Park—home to the gravesite and mission location of Père Jacques Marquette, discovered in 1877. Planned improvements include repairing the park’s central fountain, restoring the Father Marquette statue and base, and replacing the existing kiosk with a more accessible circular signage area to better share the site’s history. The project will also repair two historical markers and introduce new lighting to highlight key features throughout the grounds.

Additional enhancements include updated landscaping and signage, as well as the installation of a new prayer and kneeling board at the Marquette monument to support quiet reflection and cultural connection.

These improvements will help preserve the historical and cultural integrity of the site while enriching the visitor experience for community members and guests.

The Museum of Ojibwa Culture extends its appreciation to the Michigan Arts and Culture Council for its support of this meaningful heritage project.