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Special Programs at the Iron Industry Museum

Special Programs at the Iron Industry Museum

The Michigan Iron Industry Museum offers special programs all year for adults, kids and families.

Future Historians

Kids can join the Future Historians Club at the Michigan Iron Industry Museum! The Future Historians club meets in the museum auditorium once a month to learn about Michigan history. Meetings begin at 7 p.m. and generally last about one hour. Parents are welcomed to attend.

Members can train to become living history interpreters each summer at Fort Wilkins in Copper Harbor, Fayette Townsite in Garden or the Michigan Iron Industry in Negaunee. Students must attend three training sessions to participate. Training is in May and June each year, and site interpretation takes place each July.

2022-2023 information coming soon. For more information on the Future Historians program, contact Barry James at 906-475-7857 or JamesB@Michigan.gov.

2022 Tuesday Afternoon Programs

If you appreciate stories of Michigan's heritage, drop by the museum on select Tuesday afternoons in the summer. You'll discover the U.P.'s intriguing history, courtesy of a variety of experts who are eager to share their knowledge and research with you. Programs begin at 2 p.m.

  • July 12: Two Food Worlds - Native and Immigrant Meet
    Presented by Russell Magnaghi, Ph.D., Northern Michigan University
     
  • July 19: We Kept Our Towns Going: The Gossard Girls of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
    Presented by Phyllis Michael Wong, author
     
  • July 26: Keweenaw Geology and the Estivant Pines Sanctuary
    Presented by Gary Willis, Michigan Department of Natural Resources
     
  • August 2: The Seventh Fire: A Decolonizing Experience
    Presented by Daniel Truckey, Director, Beaumier Heritage Center, Northern Michigan University
     
  • August 9: Lost and Found: The Henry B. Smith
    Presented by Daniel Fountain, author and local historian
     
  • August 16: The Find of a Thousand Lifetimes: The 35th Anniversary of the Story of the Gorto Site Discovery
    Presented by James Robert Paquette, author and local historian
     
These presentations are free of charge.

2022 Iron Ore Heritage Bike Tours

Enjoy a leisurely guided bike tour on the Iron Ore Heritage Trail! There are three dates to choose from:

  • July 22
  • August 5
  • August 12
The tour begins at 9 a.m. at the Michigan Iron Industry Museum and lasts about six hours. You'll travel approximately 15 miles as you go from the MIIM to Ishpeming and then back again. Stops along the way include the Jackson Mine and Old Town Negaunee; on the return trip, we'll take a break for lunch provided by Midtown Bakery and Café. Please note that the course includes hills and may be challenging for beginners.

Fee: $25 (includes tour, lunch and handouts). Pre-registration required - use one of the methods below:

Updated 06/10/2022