Iron County Historical Museum

The Iron County Historical Museum is Upper Michigan’s largest local museum and is located in Caspian, Michigan on nearly 10 acres of land, a former mine site.  It has 26 buildings and over 100 major exhibits and includes two special art galleries. The main office also features a well-stocked gift shop featuring items from local artists and specialty gifts. 

Museum Exhibits

Major Exhibits

Major exhibits are found in the Main Building, the former Caspian Mine Engine House, and the attached Peterson Mining Hall, the Mining Memorial Hall, Heritage Hall, three galleries in the Cultural Center and the Lee LeBlanc Wildlife Art Gallery.  They reflect the multi-ethnic groups who settled in Iron County to work in the major industries of iron mining and logging.  Unusual glass dioramas display underground mine work and a diorama consisting of over 100 miniature pieces carved to scale show a logging camp and work in the woods.  The 85′ long diorama is believed to be the largest of its kind in the world.Exhibits are also found in the Outdoor Complex – The Homestead composed of log buildings, the Lumber camp, the Mining Area where the Headframe that is on the National Historic Register of Historic Places is located, the Transportation Area with its Stager Depot, Victoriana with the 1980 home of composer Carrie Jacobs-Bond and the 1911 St. Mary’s Church and the Giovanelli home and studio.Special temporary exhibitions, quilt shows, concerts and programs are held in the Cultural Center Auditorium that seats over 300 people.

Log Cabin Homestead

Tour the Log Cabin Homestead area that consists of six log buildings Circa 180-1900 which reflect pioneer life.The Lumbercamp has four log buildings.  The 80 year old Sharrard Camp is the largest and is divided into two parts, one for cooking and one for sleeping.  Several pieces of equipment including sleighs and the “big wheels” used to haul logs out of the woods are on display.

Logging Camp

The Lumbercamp has four log buildings.  The 80 year old Sharrard Camp is the largest and is divided into two parts, one for cooking and one for sleeping.  Several pieces of equipment including sleighs and the “big wheels” used to haul logs out of the woods are on display.

Iron Mining

The Mining Area includes The Headframe for hoisting ore, a replica of an underground drift and underground equipment.  There is also an Iron Mining Memorial, Iron Ore Cars and Scraper Drift. 

Railroad Depot and Transportation Area

The Mining Area includes The Headframe for hoisting ore, a replica of an underground drift and underground equipment.  There is also an Iron Mining Memorial, Iron Ore Cars and Scraper Drift.

The Victorian Area

The Victorian Area includes the Carrie Jacobs Bond House built in 1890 in which the internationally known composer of “I Love You Truly” and “Perfect Day” lived, and an early one room school.  Both are furnished.

Special Events and Programs

Summer Kickoff, Children’s Living History Workshop, Artists and Authors, Midsummer Celebration Log Cabin Day, Cultural Programs, Wine and Cheese Event, Miner’s Labor Day Family Picnic, Christmas Tree Galleria.We also have School Visits, Rummage Sales, Pancake Breakfasts, LeBlanc Audubon Meetings.

For more information about the Iron County Historical Museum, visit their website or give them a call!