Dianne Castelaz-Chiapusio adds a saddle to the barn display in the new Menominee Range Historical Museum in Iron Mountain. The barn interior was recently completed by James Hartwell, museum foundation vice president. This is among 26 room displays that will be featured in the new museum under construction in the C Ludington Shaft of the Chapin Mine dry building, across from the Cornish Pumping Engine and Mining Museum and the World War II Glider and Military Museum on Kent Street. (Iron Mountain Daily News photo by Terri Castelaz)

IRON MOUNTAIN — The first exhibit in the future Menominee Range Historical Museum has been completed.

The public will get a chance to view the new barn display in the C Ludington Shaft of the Chapin Mine Dry Building during an open house Sunday.

The Menominee Range Historical Foundation will host this special event from noon to 4 p.m. at the future location, across from the Cornish Pumping Engine and Mining Museum at 300 Kent St., in Iron Mountain.

The purpose of the open house is to allow the public to see the continuing progress being made on preparing exhibit spaces and more in the new venue, said Bill Cummings, MRHM Foundation president and historian.

Board members also will be available for questions.

The historic 111-year-old dry building was built of sandstone and steel, making it fireproof, and designed to contain 660 steel lockers for the miners’ clothing. It was equipped as well with shower baths and enameled wash fixtures.

“This building was, in effect, the locker room for the miners,” Cummings said.

The new interior space features 26 room displays, as well as 24 wall display cases. As visitors enter the museum, they will explore a large open area that will include the school room, general store, livery buggy and sleigh displays and a special exhibit area.

Foundation Vice President Jim Hartwell started work on the general store in 2018, adding shelving for displays and a drop ceiling imitating an antique tin ceiling, he added.

The single-story 1910 structure already houses the museum’s archives, the foundation manager’s office and an updated restroom facility.

It is handicapped-friendly, with no steps and ample parking. They also had a stairway built for easier access to an upper storage area, Cummings said.

The framework for the principal room displays was installed by Carey Contracting in late January and February, with electrical work now complete.

“Hartwell has diligently worked in preparation for gradually moving exhibits from the old to the new museum,” Cummings said.

Foundation Treasurer Guy Forstrom has been busy all summer as well moving many artifacts from the former Carnegie Public Library to the new location. Foundation Trustees Keith and Jayna Huotari, too, assisted in preparing exhibits for transfer.

The Friends of the Museum will have a table at the open house, selling “Oak Island” pendants, magnets and other souvenirs. Additional antique and collectible items will be available for purchase.

The Cornish Pumping Engine and Mining Museum and the World War II Glider and Military Museum will be open with normal admission fees. New exhibits have been added, including the logging and lumbering exhibit and 1946 Ford Sportsman “woodie” convertible.

The Menominee Range Historical Foundation is funded only through admission fees, gift shop sales, memberships, donations, bequests and occasionally grants. The museum receives no tax dollars from city, county, state or national sources, Cummings noted.

“The continued support of the public is most appreciated, especially due to the museums being closed for the 2020 season due to COVID-19, drastically reducing revenues,” Cummings said. “Donations of any size are always welcome to further this project.”