With more than 20 buildings to wander through, 100-plus exhibits to view and two art galleries to enjoy, there’s something for every age group and interest, museum officials say.

“The board and staff are continually working to improve the grounds and historical exhibits,” said Erika Sauter, museum director.

One project completed this summer was painting the 110-year-old St. Mary’s Church. Built in 1912 in Gaastra, the church was moved to the museum grounds in 1989 after closing a year earlier. It took nine hours to move the 100-ton, 30-by-80-foot structure, and a five-man line crew had to take down and put up six powerline crossings along the route.

Today, St. Mary’s Church continues to bring joy to the community.

ONE OF THE museum’s latest additions, a slice of the Iron River Meteorite, the only verified meteorite ever found in the Upper Peninsula, museum officials said. It was discovered by a farmer and his son in 1889 as they were picking rocks out of their field in Iron River, but had been in storage at Michigan State University for decades. (Betsy Bloom/Daily News photo)

“It is the perfect vintage wedding venue, with seating for 150 people and the flexibility to decorate to one’s liking,” Sauter said.

There is still work to be done to finish the basement, which currently functions as an extension of the research center and archives. “The plan is to continue to add to the exhibit with more historical displays,” she said.

Another exhibit being renovated is a display of Michigan rocks and minerals.

The eventual crown jewel of this display will be a slice of the Iron River Meteorite — the only verified meteorite found in the Upper Peninsula. The meteorite was discovered by a farmer and his 6-year-old son in 1889 as they were picking rocks out of their field in Iron River. It was officially verified as a meteorite in 1965 by Von Del Chamberlain, a former Michigan State University professor, who determined its composition to be mostly iron with trace amounts nickel and iron-chromium-sulfide.

It became part of the MSU collection and was stored there for decades until January of this year, when it went on display at the Abrams Planetarium in their new exhibit showcasing pieces of all 11 Michigan meteorites. The planetarium then donated a slice of the meteorite to the Iron County Historical Museum in July.

THE DISPLAY ROOM for Michigan rocks and minerals is being renovated and eventually will house one of the museum’s latest additions, a slice of the Iron River Meteorite, the only verified meteorite ever found in the Upper Peninsula. (Betsy Bloom/Daily News photo)

Finally, the museum has been able to take a unique part of Iron County history off-site in the form of its 1948 Ford fire engine, which was restored to working order in 2018 and is now regularly displayed at local vintage car shows.

Those interested also can see it take part during Tuesday Cruise Nights that happen in downtown Iron River from 5 to 7 p.m. every Tuesday in August.

The Iron County Museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays through Labor Day.

For more information, go online to www.IronCountyMuseum.org or call 906-265-2617.

THIS 1948 FORD fire engine at the museum was restored to working order in 2018 and now can be seen on Tuesdays in August on Cruise Night in downtown Iron River. (Betsy Bloom/Daily News photo)