IRON MOUNTAIN, Mich. (WZMQ) – The Menominee Range Historical Foundation is thrilled to announce the grand opening of its newly consolidated museum campus at 300 Kent St. This Wednesday marks the beginning of a new chapter, as all three museums unite in one location. Keith Huotari, the foundation’s president, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “We’re really excited about it. We’re going to be opening all three museums in one campus at 300 Kent St. 10 AM – 4 PM [CST] from Wednesdays – Saturdays.”
However, the foundation has ambitious plans to extend these hours and is calling on the community for help. “We’d like to be open a little further, but we’re making the call for volunteers. The more volunteers we get, the longer we can stay open. So that’s really what we want. Who would like to volunteer? There’s no lifting involved, just come on up, and we’ll make the schedule work for you,” Huotari explained.
The museum offers a unique and diverse array of exhibits, from an 1890 cutter sleigh and an 1840 canoe to local sports memorabilia and musical recordings. Huotari highlighted, “It really does show the diversity of the area—not only just logging and mining and things like that, but also athletics… and music. A lot of local people recorded a lot of different music, so we’re going to have interactive type things. We can push a button and hear music samples.”
In addition to providing a rich historical experience, the museum is a valuable opportunity for students needing volunteer hours. “It’s a great opportunity for students. You know you hear these things these days about volunteer hours students need and this is a great way for students to come up here. They can learn a lot about history and get those hours at the same time, so it’s really a win-win,” said Huotari.
Visitors and volunteers alike can expect a welcoming environment, and interested volunteers can stop by the main office during regular hours. “You can ask for Diane; she’ll be here, and she’ll direct everybody to where they want to go. Just come on up, have fun. Have a smile, direct people and take tickets,” Huotari encouraged.
Looking ahead, the foundation has ambitious plans to enhance the campus further. “We’re really excited about the future… Over the next several years, plans have already been drawn up. We’re going to look at some landscaping, trees, parking and different things outside. Maybe some covered walkways, sidewalks, and things like that. Kind of really bring us forward to 2024, and make things even easier to be able to enjoy the museums.”
With all museums now on one campus, Huotari emphasized the benefits of this consolidation. “This is a first for us so you know we can see everybody and a lot of times we volunteer over at the other museum and weren’t really up to date on what’s happening on the other side of town. On one campus, it’s a triangular shape kind of thing, and it’s a great opportunity for all of us.”
The Menominee Range Historical Foundation invites everyone to visit and become part of this exciting new venture. “We just want everybody to come on out. We’re excited to be all in one campus,” Huotari added.
