Inspired by the nation’s semiquincentennial, one of the Upper Peninsula’s largest outdoor museum complexes has planned a full slate of programs honoring American history, heritage and community.

The museum kicked off the summer with its Star Spangled Spot-It game, a free, three-phase contest that encourages visitors and local residents to explore both the museum grounds and businesses throughout Iron County while competing for prizes.

“The free activity is geared for everyone — from the little ones through the adults,” said Museum Director Kathlene “KL” Long. “It’s something fun to do for families, groups, or individuals.”

The first two phases take place on the museum grounds. Participants begin by studying a patriotic mural and identifying hidden objects before searching the museum’s historic buildings for stars marked with numbers, many of which have historical significance. Those who complete the challenges receive a prize at the museum’s front desk.

Members of the Acquisitions, Collections and Exhibits, or ACE, Committee — from left, Sandie Nies, Robert Davis and Deborah Davis — work on one of the pieces for the new “Roots Run Deep: Cultivating a Community” exhibit, featuring Iron County farms and families. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)

The third phase extends beyond the museum through a partnership with 50 area businesses. Participants search for hidden stars at locations taking part, recording the matching numbers on their game cards. After finding at least 23 stars of those businesses, players can return their completed cards to the museum to claim a prize. Participants are encouraged to continue visiting the remaining businesses.

Long said the game is designed to encourage residents and tourists to discover local businesses they may not have visited before while supporting the community during the busy summer season.

As part of the Spot-It program, the museum has created a space for the youth to color or other activities.

“It’s the first thing visitors will see when they come into the museum,” she said. “They have also decorated a patriotic backdrop for visitors to take photographs.”

The museum invites area artists and crafters to take part in its Star Spangled Doors display by transforming old doors into patriotic works of art.

Iron County Museum Director Kathlene “KL” Long shows of the interactive Cards for Community display. The museum has partners with the Hugs for Soldiers organization and offers a station to allow visitors to write a card or letter to be mailed to active military personnel. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)

“The idea was sort of the doorway to Iron County or the U.P.,” she said. “It an opportunity for people to take a door they have hanging around and decorate it.”

The decorated doors will be displayed on the museum grounds throughout the summer before being auctioned off Sept. 5 as part of the season-long celebration.

Long said this year’s History Happy Hour series will place an even greater focus on Iron County’s communities and local history.

The next program, “I Remember Downtown Amasa,” is set for Friday, July 17. The discussion will be led by Kelly Mullinx, Kent Premo, Bill Rossi and Sharon Ryden, who will share memories of Amasa’s downtown during its heyday, reflecting on the buildings, businesses and people that helped shape one of Iron County’s culturally significant communities.

The History Happy Hour series continues Friday, Aug. 21, with “Harold and Marcia Remembered,” a presentation by Mike Ladd highlighting the lives and legacy of museum founders Harold and Marcia Bernhardt.

Iron County Museum Director Kathlene “KL” Long displays a Star Spangled Door created by Carrie Powell. Long said the piece gave her the chills when she saw it, as she remembered herself “as that little girl with her father being gone for nine months at a time.” (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)

The program will explore how the couple’s vision grew from an idea in 1962 into creation of the Iron County Museum, which opened its exhibits in 1968. Ladd will also reflect on the impact of the Junior Historical Society and the lasting contributions they made to preserving Iron County’s history. The event coincides with preparations for the couple’s induction into the West Iron County School District’s Wall of Fame.

Doors for both Happy Hours program will open at 6 p.m. at Toti’s Tavern, where guests can socialize while enjoying beer from Alpha Michigan Brewing Co. and snacks from Bump’s Burgers. The discussion begins at approximately 6:45 p.m. Weather permitting, attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket for the outdoor program.

“You don’t have to be from Iron County to enjoy History Happy Hour — everyone is welcome,” she said. “Residents are also encouraged to share their memories with the audience.”

The museum is raising funds through a Star Spangled 50-50 Mega Raffle, with tickets available through Sept. 15 at the museum and multiple locations across Iron County. Tickets can also be purchased from board members

Only one winning ticket will be drawn. Tickets are $5 each or five for $20. The winning ticket will be drawn during the museum’s A Night at the Races fundraiser Oct. 3. Participants do not need to be present to win.

A temporary patriotic display welcomes visitors during the Iron County Museum’s Star-Spangled Spectacular season. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)

Proceeds from the raffle will support the Iron County Museum and its programs.

The season continues with A Day on the Farm on Saturday, Sept. 5, a family-friendly event celebrating Iron County’s agricultural heritage through games, activities, demonstrations and a farmers-style market featuring local farms, crafters and artists.

The event will showcase the new, temporary exhibit, “Roots Run Deep: Cultivating a Community,” which explores the families, farms and traditions that helped shape Iron County.

“We talk so much about mining and lumber, but the third pillar to what brought people to Iron County was homesteading and farming,” Long said. “It’s still very much a part of our community.”

Long noted that several area farms have remained in the same family for more than a century, creating what she called a rich agricultural legacy.

The museum’s Acquisitions, Collections and Exhibits — ACE — Committee has been developing the exhibit, which will highlight those longtime farming traditions.

In addition to the exhibit, the museum plans to offer presentations and hands-on demonstrations throughout the day, along with food vendors and door prize giveaways. Many of the businesses participating in the Star Spangled Spot-It game have donated raffle items for the event, and attendees must be present to win.

The celebration will conclude with an early evening reception, inviting current and former farm families, friends and community members to gather and share stories and memories of Iron County’s farming heritage.

The museum will then prepare for its second-annual A Night at the Races fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 3. This year’s theme, “Those Star Spangled ’70s,” invites guests to celebrate in vintage 1970s style.

The interactive fundraiser gives participants the chance to choose a horse, place friendly wagers and cheer on the races while enjoying beer from Alpha Michigan Brewing Co., wine, signature cocktails and racetrack-inspired appetizers.

Guests are encouraged to embrace the theme with bell bottoms, platform shoes, feathered hairstyles, fringed suede vests and other 1970s-inspired attire. Costume and hat contests will also be part of the evening.

The museum plans to announce sponsorship opportunities for horses, jockeys, stables and individual races in the coming weeks.

Long said the event is designed to be a fun and memorable way to raise funds to support its programs and preservation efforts.

“We had such a blast last year — this is one you won’t want to miss,” she said.

That evening also will have the drawing for the museum’s Star Spangled 50-50 Mega Raffle, with the winner taking home the grand prize.

The season concludes with the 37th-annual Christmas Tree Galleria from Nov. 28 through Dec. 13, featuring the patriotic theme, “It’s a Star-Spangled Christmas.”

The event is the biggest fundraiser featuring 50-plus decorated trees, gift basket raffle with more than 60 baskets and special programs.

Additional details and special activities to be announced closer to the opening of the galleria.

As part of the season-long celebration, the museum has also created an interactive exhibit honoring veterans and active-duty military members.

“We couldn’t celebrate America’s 250th without doing something for our veterans,” Long said.

Visitors are invited to write notes of appreciation to currently serving service members. The museum has partnered with Hugs for Our Soldiers, an organization that assembles and ships care packages to deployed military personnel. Each card written by museum visitors will be included with a care package sent to a service member overseas.

Long said the exhibit expands on the museum’s ongoing salute to veterans display, which encourages visitors to explore the stories of local veterans.

“It’s meant to help you touch base with how grateful we are for what was given for us to have what we have today,” she said.

The exhibit continues to grow through community donations. Long recently received an extensive collection of photographs, documents and personal items belonging to an Iron County serviceman who was killed during World War II, providing another opportunity to preserve and share the stories of local veterans.

Long encouraged local residents to come and take part of all the activities and view all the changes to the museum.

In addition to the patriotic and veteran displays, attendees will find several new exhibits and updates throughout the museum. Improvements include a revamped Native American exhibit; the new “Iron: From Orbit to Ore” — blue wall — in the rock and mineral section; a completed operating amateur ham radio exhibit, and a new WIKB display.

“First-time visitors are usually shocked by how much there is to explore, and those who haven’t visited in many years are blown away by everything that has changed, along with what has remained intact,” she said.

The museum opened at 100 Brady Ave. in 1968, on the site of the former Caspian Mine that closed in 1937. “Heritage Hall,” which is the main portion of the museum, was built in 1975 around the original engine house.

In addition to the original engine house and Heritage Hall, the multi-complex museum features more than 25 other historic structures that include historic log buildings, Carrie Jacobs-Bond House, Stager Depot, St. Mary’s Church, Toti’s Tavern, Pioneer School House, Crossing House, Soderquist Barn, Shed and Blacksmith Shop, Machinery Shed and Barn, Young Firehall, Gas Station, shop building, Headframe, Scraper-Drift, Giovanelli Studio and Gallery, and the Lee LeBlanc Memorial Art Gallery.

Donations are always welcome to support the museum’s mission to preserve Iron County history. Monetary donation can be mailed to P.O. Box 272, Caspian, MI 49915.

Summer hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday; and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday through August. They are closed Sundays and holidays. Groups and special tours can be made in advance by contacting the museum.

They also offer an extensive Archives and Research Center. Anyone in need of assistance can contact the museum office at 906-265-2617.

Volunteers are always welcome and anyone interested can contact the museum office.

The gift shop area has extended space in the Bernhardt Cultural Center, offering all types of souvenirs.

For more information, go to https://ironcountymuseum.org.

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Terri Castelaz can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 85241, or tcastelaz@ironmountaindailynews.com.