Susan Schacher

The woman who made reality out of the community’s idea of having a museum to tell the twin-Saults story is gone. However, the museum she nurtured will continue, thanks to her efforts.

Schacher, former director of the Sault’s River of History Museum, was the driving force behind the establishment and growth of the River of History Museum, located in the Tribal Building on Ashmun Street. She was hired by LSSU and the Sault Foundation of Culture and History in September 1990, serving as an assistant professor with the College of Arts and Letters and Social Sciences and the School of Education.

Schacher dedicated herself to working with the museum, speaking to many community and service groups to promote the facility.  She was especially proud of the strong accent on Native American history and culture displayed at the museum. Schacher also performed duties for the city of Sault Ste. Marie, and was working on restoration of the Maple Ridge Cemetery on Ashmun Hill, signage for various buildings of historical significance and archival work on the history of the Sault at the time of her death.

Schacher earned bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees at Michigan State University. For her doctoral thesis, she excavated and studied the remains of a Huron village near St. Ignace. She was featured as “Personality of the Week” in the Sault Evening News in March 1991, when she said, “My work in this area developed my love for the Eastern U.P. and its people, as well as its unique history.”

In the same interview, she advised young people to explore every opportunity available in their education and career: “Anything’s possible, and you should go after whatever goal you set for yourself.”

Schacher thoroughly enjoyed conducting tours of the River of History Museum, especially with younger students, trying to stimulate their understanding of the history of their home area. She always was willing to come in from home to conduct such tours, and spent much of her time writing grants and trying to raise funds to support the museum.

Susan Schacher Memorial Award

The Sue Schacher Award is given annually during the EUP Regional History Day to a student who demonstrates excellence in a locally themed entry. The winning student is awarded $100 and has their name featured on a plaque displayed at the museum.

Schacher founded and directed the River of History museum and promoted the facility by speaking to many community and service groups. She also held summer “history camps” for area children, hoping to pique their interest in the history of the St. Marys River valley and the area.