Michigan Iron Industry Museum in Negaunee, Michigan
Museum with a major rail exhibitFreeOpen Tuesday to Sunday, June to mid-October
The Michigan Iron Industry Museum in Negaunee is the state's museum of the Marquette Iron Range, a branch of the Michigan History Museum that tells the story of Michigan's three iron ranges and the people who worked them, on grounds that include a historic forge site.
- Free admission
- Branch of the Michigan History Museum
- Historic forge site on the grounds
- Iron Spirits film shown six times daily
- Outdoor interpretive trails
- Accessible without stairs
Michigan Iron Industry Museum at a glance
- Hours
- Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 4 pm, from June 2 through October 15 (2026 season)
- Admission
- Free; a Michigan Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry
- Plan for
- 1 to 2 hours
- Best for
- Families and history fans exploring the Marquette area
- Parking
- Free parking on the museum grounds; Recreation Passport required for vehicles
- Accessibility
- Accessible to people who cannot use stairs
Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.
Look inside the book
Taking the kids to Michigan Iron Industry Museum? Bring Rally along.
In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Negaunee.
Rally Takes the Train
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Telling the story of the Marquette Iron Range
The Michigan Iron Industry Museum is a branch of the Michigan History Museum, run by the state's Michigan History Center, and it serves as a community museum for the heritage of the Marquette Iron Range in the Upper Peninsula. Negaunee itself was built on top of the iron range's rock layers, so the subject is all around you.
The museum's exhibits cover Michigan's three iron ranges and the people who worked them. The grounds hold a historic forge site, and travel guides note trails that overlook the Carp River. The state does not post a detailed description of the railroad pieces in its exhibits, so rail fans should ask staff on arrival what is on view about the trains that hauled ore off the range.
Exhibits, a film and trails by the forge
Inside are exhibits and audio-visual programs about mining on the iron ranges. The high-definition film "Iron Spirits: Life on the Michigan Iron Range" plays six times a day in the museum's 88-seat auditorium. Outside, interpretive trails lead around the historic forge site. The state suggests allowing one to two hours.
Don’t miss
- Iron Spirits: Life on the Michigan Iron RangeThe museum's high-definition film runs six times daily in an 88-seat auditorium and is a good place to start.
- The historic forge siteThe museum grounds include a historic forge site, reached by outdoor interpretive trails.
Big machines, a movie and room to walk
Free admission makes this an easy stop with kids, and the film and outdoor trails give restless children a change of pace from gallery cases. The museum is accessible to people who cannot use stairs, which helps with strollers too. The state does not list kids' activities online, so ask at the front desk what is hands-on.
Plan your visit: tips for Michigan Iron Industry Museum
- Bring or buy a Michigan Recreation Passport for your vehicle.
- Use Jackson Trace Parkway off U.S. 41, one mile west of the M-35 junction; map apps may not show it yet.
- Time your visit around one of the six daily showings of Iron Spirits.
- Check the state's holiday closing schedule before you go.
- Ask staff what railroad material is on display if trains are your focus.
Run by the Michigan History Center
The museum is part of the Michigan History Center, the state agency that also runs the Michigan History Museum. The Center invites people to become members, volunteer as tour guides, gallery assistants or greeters, or join one of its friends groups that support museum programs.
Rail stops across the Upper Peninsula and beyond
Rail sites are far apart up here. The Toonerville Trolley and Tahquamenon riverboat tours leave from Soo Junction, about 110 miles east, and the Historic Soo Line Depot in Rhinelander, Wisconsin is about 108 miles southwest. The National Railroad Museum in Green Bay is about 143 miles away. For the rest of the state, see Michigan's train museums.
Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive
Iron country is all about going underground, and that made me think of the tunnel in our book. The train goes dark, everyone holds their breath, and then comes a big bright light and happy cheers. I imagine the miners on the range knew that feeling of coming up into daylight better than anyone. If your kids like the tunnel part, print one of our coloring pages and let them color it in.
Free for train families
Print the Rally coloring pages before you go
Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.
Get the free coloring pages
A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.
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Work or volunteer at Michigan Iron Industry Museum?
We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.
Sources
Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.
Michigan Iron Industry Museum: 20 questions visitors ask
Where is the Michigan Iron Industry Museum?
The Michigan Iron Industry Museum is at 73 Forge Road, Negaunee, Michigan 49866, about eight miles west of Marquette. Take Jackson Trace Parkway off U.S. 41, one mile west of the M-35 junction; the road runs about half a mile to the museum. The state notes that map apps may not show the parkway yet.
What are the Michigan Iron Industry Museum hours?
As of October 2026, the museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm during its season, which ran from June 2 through October 15 in 2026. It is closed Mondays. Check the state's holiday closing schedule and the museum's web page before visiting, especially early or late in the season.
Is the Michigan Iron Industry Museum free?
Yes. As of October 2026, admission to the museum is free. The one cost is parking: a Michigan Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry, the same pass used at state parks. If you already have one on your plates, you can drive in and visit at no extra charge.
Do I need a Recreation Passport at the Michigan Iron Industry Museum?
Yes, for your vehicle. The museum is free to enter, but the state requires a Michigan Recreation Passport for vehicle entry. Michigan drivers often add it when renewing their plates. If you are visiting from out of state, check how to get one before you arrive.
Is the Michigan Iron Industry Museum open in winter?
No regular winter hours are posted. In 2026 the museum reopened on Tuesday, June 2 and listed hours through October 15, so plan an Upper Peninsula visit for summer or early fall. Check the museum's page on michigan.gov for the next season's opening date.
How long should I spend at the Michigan Iron Industry Museum?
The state suggests allowing one to two hours. That covers the indoor exhibits, a showing of the Iron Spirits film in the auditorium, and a walk on the outdoor interpretive trails around the historic forge site. Add time if you want to linger on the trails or ask staff questions.
What is there to see at the Michigan Iron Industry Museum?
The museum tells the story of Michigan's three iron ranges and the people who worked them through exhibits, audio-visual programs and outdoor interpretive trails. The grounds include a historic forge site, and the film Iron Spirits: Life on the Michigan Iron Range plays in an 88-seat auditorium.
Does the Michigan Iron Industry Museum have railroad exhibits?
The museum is included on this site for its railway-related exhibits, but the state does not post a detailed list of railroad pieces online. Rail fans should ask staff on arrival what is on view about the railroads that served the iron range, and call (906) 475-7857 ahead if trains are the main reason for the trip.
What is the Iron Spirits film?
Iron Spirits: Life on the Michigan Iron Range is a high-definition video shown six times daily in the museum's 88-seat auditorium. It introduces life and work on the iron range and is a good way to start a visit. Ask at the desk for showing times when you arrive.
Is the Michigan Iron Industry Museum accessible?
Yes. The state says the museum is accessible to people who cannot use stairs. That should also help families with strollers inside the building. The outdoor trails are a separate matter, so ask staff about trail surfaces if you use a wheelchair or walker.
Is there parking at the Michigan Iron Industry Museum?
Yes, parking is available on the museum grounds. Remember that a Michigan Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry. The parking area is at the end of the roughly half-mile access road from U.S. 41, so follow Jackson Trace Parkway in rather than relying on map directions alone.
Is the Michigan Iron Industry Museum good for kids?
It works well for school-age kids who like big machines and stories of miners, and free admission takes the pressure off a short visit. The film, outdoor trails and forge site break up time indoors. The state does not list hands-on activities online, so ask at the desk what kids can try.
Who runs the Michigan Iron Industry Museum?
The museum is a branch of the Michigan History Museum and is run by the Michigan History Center, part of the state. It serves as a community museum for the heritage of the Marquette Iron Range. General questions can go to mhcinfo@michigan.gov or the museum at (906) 475-7857.
What is the Marquette Iron Range?
The Marquette Iron Range is the iron mining district around Marquette and Negaunee in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, and it is the heritage this museum serves. Negaunee was built atop the range's rock strata. The museum also covers Michigan's other iron ranges, three in all, and the people who mined them.
Is there a historic site at the Michigan Iron Industry Museum?
Yes. The museum grounds include a historic forge site, which visitors reach on the outdoor interpretive trails. Travel guides also describe trail views over the Carp River. Wear shoes suited for walking outdoors if you want to see the forge site and trails.
Can schools or groups visit the Michigan Iron Industry Museum?
The museum does not post a group program in the material available online. Teachers and group leaders should call the museum at (906) 475-7857 or email mhcinfo@michigan.gov to ask about field trips, guided talks and the best time to bring a group.
How can I volunteer at the Michigan Iron Industry Museum?
The Michigan History Center recruits volunteers to serve as tour guides, gallery assistants and greeters across its museums, and it supports friends groups at its sites. Ask the Iron Industry Museum at (906) 475-7857 about local openings, or contact the History Center at mhcinfo@michigan.gov.
Does the Michigan History Center offer memberships?
Yes. The Michigan History Center offers memberships with free admission, discounts and other benefits at its sites. Admission here is already free, but membership supports the state's museums. Friends groups for individual museums and historic sites also help fund programs.
How do I contact the Michigan Iron Industry Museum?
Call the museum at (906) 475-7857 or email the Michigan History Center at mhcinfo@michigan.gov. The museum's page is on michigan.gov under the Michigan History Center, along with a general contact page. Calling the Negaunee number is best for same-day questions about hours or the film schedule.
What train attractions are near Negaunee, Michigan?
Rail sites are spread out across the Upper Peninsula. The Toonerville Trolley and Tahquamenon riverboat tours leave from Soo Junction, about 110 miles east. The Historic Soo Line Depot in Rhinelander, Wisconsin is about 108 miles away, and the National Railroad Museum in Green Bay is about 143 miles.
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