After six years of dedicated effort as the Iron County Historical & Museum Society, the founding members opened the doors of the museum in July of 1968. This coming summer of 2018 we will open our doors to our 50th year of serving Iron County through our mission, “To preserve and share Iron County’s heritage with present and future generations”.
This historic milestone coincides with the city of Caspian’s centennial year! With the museum located at the site of the Caspian Mine, within city limits, Caspian has long been a partner and supporter of the museum.
But we have many loyal supporters to thank as we look back on these fifty years — You, dear reader, among them! Iron County residents and visitors have enjoyed five decades of local history programs, concerts, art shows, historic re-enactments, ethnic celebrations, school visits, nature camps, living history workshops, pie socials, pancake breakfasts, picnics, wine and cheese fundraisers and Christmas tree Gallerias! It makes one’s head spin to think of the hundreds of volunteers who have helped make all of this (and more) happen over the past fifty years!
Initially occupying the engine house of the Caspian Mine, eleven buildings were added to the Museum complex in the first ten years and has since grown to include 26 buildings on ten acres, with over 100 exhibits of local interest. Our museum has the distinction of being designated “the Log Cabin Capital of Michigan” in 2016! The newest addition to the original building, the Collections and Archives wing, houses records of Iron County people, places, and events going as far back as the 1880’s. Museum staff and volunteers are available to assist anyone wishing to do research on genealogy or other historic searches.
It goes without saying that none of this would be possible without the tireless efforts of our dedicated director, Bernadette Coates, our recent Collections manager Michelle Blood, and other part-time and seasonal staff. As credited above, volunteers have always played a vital role in the museum’s development as well as the cultural programs that are offered for all ages. Whether a volunteer, a member/donor, or both, you too are a part of the museum family and deserve credit for helping the museum make it this far!
Consider a special gift as you renew your membership this year…. A birthday gift, if you will! A membership renewal form is enclosed with this issue. Choose your membership level, and if you are able, designate an amount over the membership dues as your donation to help move the museum forward for another fifty years. If you are a Thrivent member, you have the ability to leverage any donation beyond membership to benefit the museum, a 501-c-3 tax-exempt organization. Think of it as a way to work with your investments to maximize your gift to the museum.
We welcome your investment in the future of the Iron County Museum, whether it’s your time, talent, membership, donations or bequests! Listen to the inspiration offered in these words:
“Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men’s blood and probably themselves will not be realized. Make big plans; aim high in hope and work, remembering that long after we are gone, this hope, this work will remain a living thing, asserting itself with ever-growing insistence!” –David Burnham, Chicago Architect of the last century.
The Iron County Museum’s mission is a living goal; a goal that is not achieved in fifty years, rather it is an enduring mission and one that gives us a sense of place in our Iron County communities.
Sometime in the next fifty years we will all be gone, so let us work now to galvanize with hope, a new generation who will be ready to pick up where we leave off, and carry on with the mission and vision of the Iron County Historical Museum Society, preserving and sharing our county’s heritage.
With gratitude,
Maggie Scheffer
ICHMS President
