Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
DAVE HAGEN, a member of the Marenisco Historical Society, stands outside of the Marenisco Historical Society's museum, which is just around the corner from the Marenisco Town Hall. The fire truck parked in front of the museum is an antique model used in parades and other special occasions. Hagen also is a member of the Marenisco Township Board of Trustees and a volunteer in the Marenisco Volunteer Fire Department.
By DAMIIAN LANG
GOGEBIC RANGE - In case you did not already know it, area museums have a lot going on this summer.
In the past week, The Globe visited just two area museums in Erwin Township and in Marenisco Township.
But the tri-county area has 11 total museums listed here, and each of them make a unique mark on regional heritage.
These houses of history are filled with a great variety of interest, fascination and intrigue, and offer unique opportunities for family outings, visiting friends, tourists and even athletes.
Yes, museums and sport are now a thing, right here in Gogebic County.
Let's begin with the Erwin Township Historical Society, located at 8970 VanBuskirk Road in Ironwood.
"Preserve the Past and Create the Future" is the mission statement at this site, so it makes sense that society members are in the process of building a pickle ball court, scheduled to be finished this summer.
They already have a modern bicycle maintenance and repair stand with an assortment of tools and air pump. In addition, a groomed ABR trail is right across the street.
Historical Society president Tom Pelissero and Erwin Township Board of Trustee Jason Hellen met me at the completely renovated former East End School house, now in its second year of being open.
Artfully done history guide signs, made by Ironwood's Luther L. Wright High School welding class, await placement outside, where a playground is in the works. A 1930s sauna also will be delivered soon.
In addition, said Pelissero, "There's a nature walk. We made a time capsule. New benches and walkway are done. Everything we've accomplished is strictly by donation. We ask the community to help and they always step up; they are so kind."
Included on the beautifully wooded site is an ADA-compliant ramp leading into the museum.
Inside the museum is a Community Research Center with two computers where visitors or members can access Ancestry.com or Newspapers.com. See the Erwin Township Historical Society's Facebook page for details.
Marenisco Historical Society Museum also has a great offering. Dave Hagen, a member of the Historical Society, not only gave The Globe a tour of the museum, but also provided a ride in a 1937 fire truck. The push button siren is fun!
This former church house has many items from the Bergland Museum. There's a Native American cradle board, a bible with hand-written dates of a baptism from 1842, a violin uke, newspapers, class photos and much more.
The Marenisco Museum is by appointment only. Call the Marenisco Town Hall at 906-787-2463. However, on July 4, the museum will be open from noon to 3 p.m.
Other area museums in Gogebic County include the following:
-Wakefield Historical Society Museum, 306 Sunday Lake St., Wakefield. Hours are Monday through Saturday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and by appointment. The museum boasts a classroom display, general store, a mining exhibit and artifacts dating back to 1884.
Wakefield Historical Society member Donna Ferson said, "Were having a special exhibit on boarding houses July 4, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and July 5 at 4 p.m .; a cemetery walk July 12 at 11 a.m. and an open house by appointment only on July 10 at 5 p.m.
Call 906-224-1045 for information.
-Ironwood's Old Depot Museum, between No. Lowell and S. Suffolk streets, Ironwood (the site of the old railroad depot). It's open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The museum features iron mining displays and railroad memorabilia, as well as artifacts and the Ironwood Historical Society Research Center.
The Emberlight Festival will take over two rooms in the museum from July 17 through August 24 for an exhibit of local photography. Days and hours for that exhibit are Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The end of July will bring a photography workshop. See ironwoodchamber.org or call 906-932-1122 for more information.
- The Ironwood Memorial Building, corner of E. McLeod Ave. and South Marquette Street. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. This site includes many historical displays, including a statue of a World War I doughboy; stained glass windows showing the Battle of Argonne; and numerous bronze tablets listing locals who served during the Civil War, Spanish-American War, and World War I. See cityofironwood.org or call 906-932-5050.
-Bessemer Area Heritage Center, 403 S. Sophie St., Bessemer. Hours are 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays with extended hours on holidays. The museum also will be open daily June 30 through July 4, from noon to 5 p.m. This museum has a collection of logging and mining artifacts, as well as other memorabilia. Search the website and Facebook page for further details.
Ontonagon County
-Ontonagon County Historical Museum, 422 River St., Ontonagon. It's open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
"We're having a treasure hunt with prizes," said hostess Linda Graham. "That's for ages four to 12 and beyond. We have local artist's paintings, jewelry and beadwork for sale. Classes are offered and art supplies are provided."
For more info, see .ontonagonartistcollective.org.
In addition, self-guided tours of the Ontonagon Lighthouse may be done any day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. EDT. Visit Ontonagonmuseum.org or call 906-884-6165.
-Old Victoria Restoration, 25401 Victoria Dam Road, Rockland. Old Log Cabin Day will be on June 30, starting at 11 a.m. EDT. General days and hours are listed as Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. EDT.
This site consists of four restored log homes that once were used as company houses by former copper miners of Victoria Mine.
A craft fair is scheduled for Aug. 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will include cinnamon rolls baked in a wood stove and old-fashioned kids' games at 1:30 p.m.
See the site's Facebook page or call 906-886-2617.
Iron County
-Iron County Historical Society Museum, 202 Iron St., Hurley (in the former Iron County Courthouse). Hours are Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
This facility has three floors and multiple theme rooms, including a weaving room, artifacts from iron mining, railroad and lumber industries and area veterans.
Summer themes are as follows: June, boarding houses; July, county fair; and August, long-forgotten schools. Heritage Days is the last week of July. The woven rugs are for sale.
See the Facebook page, or contact via [email protected] or 715-561-2244.
-Little Finland, a National Finnish American Festival Cultural Center, is located at 5750 U.S. 2, just west of U.S. 51 South. It is open Tuesday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
There are two log homes once used by Finnish immigrants, a sauna, gift shop, pavilion and the Taipei Trail. See littlefinland.org or call 715-561-4360.
-Mercer Historical Society's Depot Museum, 5278 N. Lakeview Ave., Mercer Wisconsin.
This repurposed railroad station showcases photographs, maps, tools and archived newspapers. The site also has a historic jail, barber shop and a one-room school house.
There's a lot to discover in these museums. They contain real items of local history, of local amilies, people to whom you might be related. Some of these items date back to the mid 1800s - nearly 200 years for you to experience.
