School leaders present restoration of historic weathervane at Ishpeming Middle/High School

ISHPEMING, Mich. (WJMN) — Ishpeming school leaders gave a public presentation on Monday to debut the restoration of their middle/high school’s historic weathervane.

Now back atop the school’s tallest cupola, the weathervane sits about 120 feet off the ground.

Ishpeming Public School District Superintendent Carrie Meyer spoke to the public on the project and highlighted the recent weathervane restoration, which was completed by local artist Tom McManus.

McManus outfitted the refurbished weathervane with custom-made ball bearings.

“We’re very proud to be able to do this for our community. We see this building as a historic part of our community… and we feel obligated to make sure that our building and our school is taken care of appropriately,” said Meyer.

In addition to the weathervane renovation, the school district is also working to replace the original copper roofs on the middle/high school building.

With funding provided by the Bond Milage renewal in 2022, voted on and approved by the Ishpeming community, and additional support from the 2023 Sinking Fund, the Ishpeming Public School District was able to complete what was supposed to be a three-year project in just two years.

The roofing is slated to be completed this fall.

A collaborative effort among Dan Perkins Construction, general contractor for the project Cross Contracting, U.P. Engineering & Architects, Inc., MARISA and the Ishpeming Public School District made this project possible.

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