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News
CASPIAN – The Iron County Historical and Museum Society is gearing up for a busy summer. This year we have four History Happy Hours featuring fascinating topics relative to life here in the U.P. We’re bringing back the fundraiser called Tastings, Tapas and Tours to help us with some of the major upgrades we did last year as well as what we have planned for this year. We have a new Timeline exhibit to share located in the Michigan Corridor. The Rock and Mineral Exhibit, started just before the pandemic hit, will finally be finished. We are also working on a whole new set of exhibits in Heritage Hall. All of this to keep us on point with our mission “to preserve the past, inspire lifelong learning and encourage cultural engagement”.
“Things are really hopping here,” said Kathlene (KL) Long, Museum Director. “We have a full season of events and some hefty goals we hope to meet. We spent the winter working hard on several projects. Like everyone else in Iron County, this weird Yooper Spring we just had gave us a couple extra challenges, but our staff and volunteers stepped up and got us through.”
Tastings, Tapas and Tours are slated for Saturday, August 5, 4 – 7 p.m. Last year we spent a lot of money, unexpectedly, on repairs to two historic buildings. This fund raiser will help us replenish those funds so we can move forward with projects we’ve had on hold like finishing the new exhibits in Heritage Hall and getting the Mining Memorial put back together.
The evening will feature wine tasting, a variety of appetizers, a silent auction and live entertainment. A sommelier will guide us through the tasting, helping us understand the subtle aromas and hints of flavors in a flight of five different wines. Brenda from Main Street Café will once again pair her fabulous tapas to the wines for a culinary delight not to be missed. (Don’t fret; we will also have a selection of ales on tap in Toti’s Tavern.) Attendees will be able to tour some of the Museum’s most popular exhibits where knowledgeable volunteers will be stationed to give historical background and answer questions. Tours will include the brand-new Timeline, newly completed Rock and Mineral Exhibit and the brand-new Superintendent’s Office. You will get to keep your wine glass.
“We’re also continuing the popular History Happy Hour series this summer,” Long explained. “These programs will be free again this year. We’ll have popcorn for free, thanks to our new popcorn machine. The presentations will begin at about 6:45 p.m. with a Questions and Answers session at the end.
Our first History Happy Hour will be Friday, June 30. Larry Jorgensen will walk us through the most famous of Keweenaw shipwrecks: The “City of Bangor”. With a cargo of straight-off-the-factory-floor 1927 model Chryslers destined for Duluth, the City of Bangor floundered off the coast of Copper Harbor. This is a tale of Yoopers coming to the rescue of the crew and cargo. Then on Friday, July 29, Ironwood based singer/songwriter Bill Jamerson will present a music and storytelling program about the Civilian Conservation Corps to celebrate this, the 90th anniversary of the founding of the CCC. Next, on Friday, August 25 we will be joined by Craig Whitford of the Abram’s Planetarium at MSU. He is a very knowledgeable docent at the Planetarium and will talk to us about meteorites, including our own Iron County meteorite. Finally, on Friday, September 15, David Trotter will return to shed some light and dispel some rumors on the famous disappearance of Father Rene Menard who went missing in 1661.
History Happy Hours are always on a Friday, from 6 – 8 p.m. Admission and popcorn is free with drinks for purchase, there’ll be time for socializing in our vintage taproom, Toti’s Tavern, before and after the presentations and the gift shop will be open throughout.
Here at the museum, now open for Summer Hours, we are working on a major renovation of Heritage Hall, just finishing up the Rock and Mineral Exhibit and Timeline as well as the new Superintendents Office. While visiting the museum this summer, be sure to notice the newly painted church, new landscaping surrounding the repaired Giovanelli basement and the new timbers in the Shingle Mill. We have completed an overhaul of the gift shop, decorated it with antique pieces and filled it with many unique items produced by local artists and craftspeople. “It takes many hands to make these events and projects possible,” Long commented. “Preserving our history and inspiring the next generation to do the same is important work. Whether you contribute through monetary donations or volunteering your time, every bit makes a difference.”
For more information about upcoming activities, to buy tickets, make donations or learn about volunteer opportunities, visit IronCountyMuseum.org or call 906-265-2617.