Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center

11/06/2026

The Chik-Wauk AllSky Camera is back and working.

Hello followers and fans of the Chik-Wauk AllSky Camera, we're back!!

After suffering a computer failure that took us offline for over a month, the camera is finally back online. This backup system isn't quite as robust so we may still suffer an occasional outage. But we are excited to be sharing views of our gorgeous night skies once again.

11/05/2026

Gallagher Island, Magnetic Lake, Gunflint Trail, Grand Marais, MN

The Gallaghers – Ben and Mamma(Lucille) of Magnetic Lake Chalet – are discussed at length as Katie Lush parents had known the Gallaghers from high school. She remembers the Gallaghers kept to themselves and had two servants working for them on the island. In particular, Katie Lush recalls the expensive cars Ben drove and explains that he helped influence her husband and herself to purchase Mercedes in Germany.

The Gunflint Trail Historical Society has an oral interview with Katie Burns Lush describing her memories of Ben and Mamma Gallagher. The interview took place on September 1, 2006. The interviewers Sue Kerfoot and Sharon Caple. You can listen to the interview here; https://youtu.be/T9d9Q3QVA8A

Sue Kerfoot recalls a phone call she received at Gunflint Lodge on January 24,2010. Sue wrote about this call, You can imagine how many times we answer the telephone here at the lodge. So last Sunday night I picked up the phone and gave my line, Gunflint Lodge, this is Sue. someone on the other end gave his name and then said, Do you know Ben Gallahger? Well of course I do, his is the man who bought an island in Magnetic Bay in the early 1920s (before the road to Gunflint Lake) and turned it into a lovely summer home. Bruce and I have lots of stories about Ben and his wife during the almost 50 years they summered here.
Imagine to my surprise as I listened to this man tell me that he was working on a book about Ernest Hemingway (The Ernest Hemingway) and guns that he had owned. Investigating letters in the Hemingway collection a the JFK Library at Harvard, he came across some letters from Ben Gallagher to Hemingway. Apparently the two of them had known each other in Paris during the late 1930s. Ben was working for a U.S. Bank in Paris and would hunt with his friend "Hem".
One letter written in July of 1938 reads like Hemingway was planning to visit the island. Unfortunately a lightening fire destroyed the main cabin. Ben, his wife, Mama (with the accent on the last syllable), and the servants were leaving to go see what had happened and to start rebuilding. They hoped to have things in shape for Hemingway's visit in September.

What brought the researcher to calling Sue Kerfoot that night, was the ending of the letter. There Ben gives the address of where to write to him - Gunflint Lodge. Grand Marais, Minn. Roger Sanger, the caller, found Gunflint Lodge on the internet and decided to make the call. Probably only Bruce or Sue would have been able to help the gentleman. Sue commented that you have all heard about everyone being three degrees of separation for anyone else. Well, Sue is only TWO degrees of separation from Ernest Hemingway.

The letters between Ernest Hemingway (often nicknamed "Hem") and his friend Ben Gallagher during the late 1930s. These archival materials and related correspondence are preserved as part of the extensive Hemingway collection at the JFK Presidential Library and Museum.

Roger Sanger did send Sue Kerfoot a few copies of the letters between Ben Gallagher and Ernest Hemingway.
Photo of Ben Gallagher and correspondence was donated by Sue Kerfoot. Photo of Mama Gallagher and Katie Lush was donated by Katie Lush.

11/03/2026

Such a beautiful boy. The resident Canadian Lynx knows how to strike a pose.

For the viewers, this trail camera is located on the campus of Chik-Wauk Museum & Nature Center. Which is located in northeastern Minnesota. You cannot hunt or trap lynx in the state of Minnesota. This guy is safe from the 2 legged predators. Lynx have been protected under state law since 1984 and were listed as a federally threatened species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act in 2000. Hunting or trapping lynx is strictly illegal.

11/01/2026

Join the GTHS for Give to the Max Day 2026!
This special day of giving will be November 19.

Early giving starts today and runs through November 18 for Give to the Max, Minnesota's biggest online giving holiday! Give to the Max's theme this year is "Minnesota Stitched," a reminder that it takes all of us, one thread at a time, to complete the bigger project.

GiveMN will again be drawing one $500 Early Giving Golden Ticket, each day during the early giving period; so you’ll want to spread out your donations to increase your chances of winning a Golden Ticket.

As always, thank you so much for your continued support!!
A Special Project: Preserving the History of Outfitting on the Gunflint Trail
Click this link to donate: https://www.givemn.org/event/Gths

10/29/2026

It is National Cat Day!!

We have to share this exciting video from a few years ago of the lynx at Chik-Wauk on the hiking trails screaming at each other.

Don't know if we will ever have anything as spectacular as this capture again.

10/27/2026

Jump around 🎶

10/22/2026

The Gunflint Trail Historical Society has been collecting resident information since it opened the doors to Chik-Wauk in 2010.

The rich history of the Gunflint Trail residents need to be told. If you would like to share your history, you can follow this link to the Chik-Wauk website and scroll all the way down to the Resident History Form button:
https://gunflinthistory.org/historical-society/
Alternatively, reach out to [email protected] or call 218-388-9915.

10/20/2026

A month ago the lynx was captured by the trail cameras. He has been the prominent animal seen on the cameras the last month.

The buildings on the Chik-Wauk Campus are now closed for the season. The hiking trails remain open all season long.

10/18/2026

The doors close today, but Chik-Wauk never really goes quiet.

The final day of the 2026 season is here. After another busy summer and fall, the Museum, Nature Center, Interpretive Cabin, Trapper’s Cabin and Watercraft Exhibit Building will close for the winter and reopen May 29, 2027.

The highlight of the 2026 season was the opening of the new permanent exhibit, Zagaandagaa-Anishinaabeg, People of the Thick Coniferous Forest. Years of planning, research, conversations and countless hours of work came together to create an exhibit that shares the history, culture and stories of the Anishinaabe people of the Border Lakes region. Thank you to all those who contributed their knowledge, artwork, stories, time and expertise to make this exhibit possible.

The Arts-in-Residence Program continued to bring artists and their creative work to Chik-Wauk. The artists who shared their talents, stories and creative processes with visitors added another dimension to the Chik-Wauk experience.

The Chik-Wauk Loon Program also continued its work monitoring and preserving loons along the Gunflint Trail. From the loon nest and nest camera to citizen science and education, the program continues to connect visitors with these special residents of the Northwoods.

The season also brought outstanding presenters who took the time to share their knowledge and expertise with Chik-Wauk visitors. The local school field trips are always a highlight as well. Watching students explore the Museum, ask questions and discover something new is something to look forward to every year.

July brought challenging days with the Little Knife Fire, but most importantly, everyone remained safe. Through it all, visitors continued to come through the doors and support Chik-Wauk.

The gift shop had one of its strongest years yet, thanks in large part to everyone who stopped in to shop, renew a membership, purchase a gift or simply support Chik-Wauk.

A huge thank you to the volunteers, staff, Board of Trustees, GTHS members, presenters, local schools and field trip leaders, donors and everyone who visited this year. Each person played a part in making the 2026 season special.

The buildings may be closed for the winter, but the trails remain open all season long. Keep an eye out for Trail Camera Tuesdays to see what critters are making their way through Chik-Wauk this winter.

Thank you for another memorable season on the Gunflint Trail.

See you May 29, 2027!

10/15/2026

Saganaga Trading Post on the Canadian Side of Saganaga Lake

Saganaga Trading Post was started by Jock Richardson. He was one of several bachelors who lived on the lake after World War II. Eventually, he married Ida who helped run the trading post. Like many of the people along the Trail, Jock was capable of tinkering to build the tools he needed.
As you look around the Chik-Wauk Museum, you’ll see lasting examples of Jock’s work. During the winter of 1933-34, he built the doors and black wrought iron hinges. When you visit you can see, they’re still in excellent condition.

Chain of Ownership

1931: Founded by Jock Richardson
1967: Sold and no longer in operation

At the Trading Post you can buy food and supplies, as well as Canadian woolen goods, China, etc., at Canadian prices because Jock's island is just across the international boundary in Canada.

A deposit of $5.00 per person and everything will be ready for you. If you are pressed for time simply call or wire Superior Airways, Fort William, Ontario, and your message will be transmitted by radio to the Post at Saganaga.

There is the outlying camp at Northern Light beach. If you enjoy hiking, you can try following the trapping trails which start at the beach and go to various beaver ponds and small lakes deep in the back country.

Photo on the front cover is Ida and Jock Richardson.
Brochure courtesy of Gail Skrien Collection.