Museum hosts Iron Ore Heritage Trail bike tour

NEGAUNEE — Taking a piece of history and transforming it into a riveting tale may pose a difficult challenge to some, but a historian at the Michigan Iron Industry Museum in Negaunee has done just that.

Nearly a dozen people took advantage of the break in the heat to enjoy a bike ride down the Iron Ore Heritage Trail Friday morning to learn about the resources scattered throughout the area.

Starting at trail head number seven located at the museum, bicyclists geared up for a 16 mile trek towards Old Town Negaunee. On the way, the group made several pit stops at the Jackson Mine, the Pioneer Furnace and Jasper Knob to draw a connection between artifacts and sites.

“This site is the site of the Carp River Forge at the museum and it’s connected to other sites, like the Jackson Mine, so we get a more full story by coming into the museum and seeing the artifacts and then actually seeing where the ore came from, like at the Jackson Mine,” said Troy Henderson, the museum’s historian.

Henderson added that he believes learning about the iron industry is a gateway to understanding the economy and culture of the area.

If you missed out on today’s experience, the museum will be conducting two more bike tours on the next two Fridays. For more information on how you can register, click here.