Amid the forested ravines of the Marquette Iron Range, the Michigan Iron Industry Museum overlooks the Carp River and the site of the first iron forge in the Lake Superior region.

Here, from 1848 to 1855, the Jackson Iron Company and others manufactured wrought iron from local ore and demonstrated the high quality of Michigan's iron ore deposits. In that pioneer enterprise was the seed of the Michigan iron industry that flourished for 125 years and still produces nearly one-quarter of the iron ore mined in the United States. Today, museum exhibits, audiovisual programs and outdoor interpretive paths depict the large-scale capital and human investment that made Michigan an industrial leader.

The MIIM's 4,000-square-foot expansion has already brought significant enhancement to the visitor experience—a visitor services counter, a branch of the Michigan Historical Museum Store and the museum's first temporary exhibit, Secrets of a Buried Past: Clues from the Carp River Forge.

Attractions include:

• Hands-on permanent and temporary exhibits
• Outdoor interpretive paths
• 18-minute sound/slide program Life on the Michigan Iron Ranges
• A branch of the Michigan Historical Museum Store

The Michigan Iron Industry Museum is in Phase II of its capital campaign to offer new exhibits, new programs and new activities. Learn about how an Iron Industry Heritage Plaque honors your family's role in Michigan's iron industry and supports the museum's expansion efforts.

The Michigan Iron Industry Museum Advisory Board advises the Department of History, Arts and Libraries on policies, plans and programs concerning the Michigan Iron Industry Museum and supports education programs and public use of the facility.

Go to:

• Michigan Iron Industry Museum visitor information
• Michigan Iron Industry Museum area information

Other Michigan Historical Center pages related to this site:

• The online minitour of the Michigan Historical Museum's Mining in Michigan gallery
• No Tears In Heaven: The 1926 Barnes-Hecker Mine Disaster from Michigan History magazine.

Updated 12/04/2006

Michigan Historical Center, Department of History, Arts and Libraries
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