In 2023, residents from Calumet began working on a project to recognize a special figure in the town’s history. Two years later, the Big Annie statue fund has nearly completed raising its fundraising goal.
We are currently at about 119,000. Our goal is 150,000. We are really quite surprised how fast this has been generated because there are so many people who are interested in this project. – Vada Riederich, Chair, Big Annie Statue Project Committee
The project is about 30,000 dollars away from the 150,000 dollar goal, which will fund an artist already commissioned for the statue, bronzing, and installation in the village. Big Annie project chair Vada Riederich says the first event showed the community’s interest in Annie’s story, and that momentum continues to grow.
We have been busy with every opportunity for an event to earn the funds needed to build this statue. We started with our first event at the Orpheum Theater in Hancock. And we were so surprised by how many young people were there. And it turned out to be a great success. And that was the big beginning right there. – Vada Riederich, Chair, Big Annie Statue Project Committee
Last year, the state committee announced sculptor Andy Sacksteder would lead the design, and he has already begun work.
You can see his work online. It is beautiful, beautiful work. And thanks to Anita Campbell, she’s the one who pursued Andy, and it’s just gone from there. It’s wonderful. He has already started on this project, and we hope to have it completed early next year. – Vada Riederich, Chair, Big Annie Statue Project Committee
The project has earned support from 38 local businesses and more than 250 private donors. Those interested in supporting the big Annie state project can find more information online. The Keweenaw Community Foundation acts as the fiduciary for the project.
In the fall the Big Annie Statue Project Committee plans to host a fundraising event to support the effort. Stay up to date on more details for the event in October with the Big Annie Statue website and facebook page. Links can be found below.
Big Annie Statue Project website
