Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By P.J. GLISSON
A half dozen museums in Gogebic and Iron counties are joining forces to offer exhibits on the same themes during each of the three summer months.
"Displays are up," said JoAnn Fleming of the Ironwood Historical Society. "This is a venture between area historical societies to promote the history of the area and their communities,"
Fleming said she hopes that, as of next week, each museum will have available rack cards that will include information about the themes and each of the cooperating museums.
This month's theme is on fire departments, and each museum will create its own display, based on related items that it has in its collection.
For instance, the Iron County Historical Society Museum is featuring - among other items - a hand-drawn hose reel that once was used by the Iron Belt Fire Department. The museum notes that volunteer firemen often pulled such carts by hand to wherever they were needed.
At its main street location, the Wakefield Historical Society has a display of old-time fire department uniforms and equipment, along with photos of related firefighters from decades ago.
"In July, we'll do a display on parades, and in August we'll do the schools," said Donna Ferson regarding all of the participating museums. She is the secretary of Wakefield's society.
Ferson hopes that the combined effort will attract more attention to the museums, which sometimes are overlooked.
"Some people in Wakefield don't know there's a museum here," she claimed.
"We're going to try this for this summer," said Ferson, who added that options may be expanded next year.
Moreover, she said of the various historical society members, "We need to support each other."
Ferson said that members from the various local societies will continue meeting on a regular basis to explore how they can best promote the history of the local regions.
The six museums taking part in the joint summer themes are as follows:
-The Ironwood Historical Society Museum, located with the Historic Ironwood Depot between North Lowell and North Suffolk streets. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 906-932-1122.
-The Erwin Township Historical Society Museum at 8970 Van Buskirk Road in Ironwood. This museum will have a grand opening on July 1. Check the museum's Facebook page for details.
-The Bessemer Area Heritage Center at 403 S. Sophie St. Hours are Fridays and Saturdays from 1 to 4 p.m.
-The Wakefield Historical Society at 306 Sunday Lake St. Hours are Monday through Saturday, 1 to 4 p.m. Call 906-224-1045.
-The Marenisco Historical Society Museum on the corner of Curtis and Main streets, directly around the corner of the Marenisco Township Hall. Its hours are on Tuesdays from noon to 4 p.m. Call 906-392-0165 or 715-650-2466.
-The Iron County Historical Society Museum at 202 Iron St. in Hurley. Its hours are Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 715-561-2244.
If requested, some museum personnel are able to meet with visitors at another appointed time.
