Oct. 26, 2009

With a new entrance open to traffic on U.S. Highway 41 and a convenient parking area just outside its door, the Michigan Iron Industry Museum in Negaunee Township will remain open during the winter for the first time, the Department of Natural Resources announced today.

The museum's winter hours, which go into effect on Nov. 2, will be 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and on the first Saturday of each month. The museum will be closed on state holidays.

"The new winter hours will allow us to better serve school groups, organizations, local residents and travelers interested in learning about Michigan's iron ore heritage," said Michigan Historical Center Regional Manager Tom Friggens. "We invite our winter visitors to warm up in the museum while watching our stunning new high-definition video, 'Iron Spirits: Life on the Michigan Iron Range,' which is shown seven times daily, and to peruse the wide selection of holiday gift ideas found in the Museum Store, including books, apparel, toys, puppets, jewelry and stocking stuffers."

The Michigan Iron Industry Museum is one of 11 nationally accredited museums administered by the Michigan Historical Center, a public non-profit agency of the Department of Natural Resources. It overlooks the site of the Carp River Forge, a pioneer industrial site listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

A two-mile network of four-season interpretive trails is scheduled to open at the museum in late 2010, when the facility will transition to full weekend operations. To learn more about the museum, go to www.michigan.gov/ironindustrymuseum.