Fred Sweet of St. Ignace attaches planks of cedar to the sides of Fort de Buade Museum Thursday, July 22, to make the museum appear more like an actual fort. Work began the previous day, and Mr. Sweet hopes to have the project completed by next week. Since she was hired at the Fort de Buade Museum in St. Ignace in May, new manager Connie Sweet has been busy making improvements.

One example is the new front window display illustrating scenes from St. Ignace in the early 1900s. Images include lumberjacks from the Mackinac Lumber Company posing with a load of logs, a fisherman drying gill nets on the docks, a ferry arriving at Moran Bay, and unpaved State Street in the early 1920s. The display was provided by the Michilimackinac Historical Society, which helps operate the cityowned museum. A log facade is also being installed on the building.

Housing a wide range of Native American artifacts, the museum on North State Street also had its display cases recently updated and its exterior freshly painted.

Connie Sweet, the new manager at the Fort de Buade Museum, with her husband, Fred, and employee Bill Peek. With an interest in interior design, Mrs. Sweet said she plans to make the museum more attractive for visitors. Mrs. Sweet, who said her goal is to make the museum more attractive for visitors, is now busy planning a craft room that will host historical film presentations and children's activities.

She lived in Chandler, Arizona, with her husband, Fred, for several years before moving back to St. Ignace this spring, where she had lived in the 1990s.

“If I can assist in some way to beautify the place, make it noticeable, functional, and educational -- all of those words -- that's my goal,” said Ms. Sweet, who added that she's always had an affinity for interior decorating, which helps in her organization of the museum.

The new window display at the Fort de Buade Museum features enlarged historical photographs from the St. Ignace area. The display was provided by the Michilimackinac Historical Society. On Saturday, July 31, the museum will host “St. Ignace History Day,” which will feature musical performances from Silverfox, a Native American flute master, a book signing with children's book author Dorris Kelly, demonstrations from Native American interpreter Keith Knetch, and a presentation of the film “The Black Robe.”

For the project to renovate its facade, the museum is accepting donated building materials like cedar logs, lumber, screws, and nails. For more information, call 643-6627.

Volunteers are needed for History Day, Mrs. Sweet said, as well as for ongoing assistance at the museum. Greeting guests and polishing silver are two of the activities volunteers may take part in. To learn more, call the museum.

Employees at the museum include Bill Peek, Alan Turf, Roy Baker, Cindy Patten, and Fred Sweet.

Summer hours at the Fort de Buade Museum are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission is by donation.