April-May, 2020 Update
Greetings from the Staff….
What an usual start to 2020! With the COVID-19 pandemic arriving in late winter of 2020, the Minnesota Museum of Mining, a "non-essential business", was closed to the public during May. Planning a phased re-opening beginning July 3, we will operate just 4 days per week: Friday through Monday, for our first two weeks. After that we hope to resume daily operations. We are putting additional cleaning and new sanitizing procedures in place for visitor and worker safety. Some exhibit buildings will have small occupancy limits (25% capacity) but our 13-acre grounds can accommodate 250 visitors.
Meanwhile, volunteers have begun repairs that are be best done prior to opening, and are learning to meet "virtually" rather than in person.
Our 2020 membership drive has kicked off. Early returns are showing a heart-warming willingness to make additional donations besides membership dues renewal. This helps us with our fixed cost, such as insurance, utilities, and the constant maintenance that this site requires.
We encourage you, our history-minded followers, to keep a journal or log of what this period was like from your perspective. If you are not a journalist, write yourself a letter describing what this time what like for you. What was your daily life like? How did the epidemic affect you personally? In years to come, the newspaper articles about the pandemic may remain, but your personal individual memories will only be saved if you record them now.
July 15, 2019 NEWSLETTER
Greetings from the Staff….
Howdy all and greetings from the Museum! This season so far has been busy as the Museum has played host to a many school groups, the Scouts Voyageur Camporall, and Tour of Minnesota cyclists’ overnight stop. We are on track to exceed both 2018 visitor numbers and Museum Store sales this year.
Membership
Memer numbers are running just a little ahead of 2019, but the number of hours contributed is way up. A huge thank you goes out to all our members and volunteers that have supported us and assisted with maintenance, tours, and organizing events.
Happenings:
Iron Pour
The Iron Pour on June 8th and 9th was held in conjunction with Igneous Metal Arts. New York Artist-in-Residence Athena LaTocha poured her works, then enhanced the many pieces until her exhibit opening at the MacRostie Art Center in Grand Rapids July 5. Her work remains on display at the MAC through July 26. This expanded Iron Pour was funded by a $5000 Legacy grant from the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council.
Train Days
Train Days 2019 coincided with the Tour of Minnesota cyclist visit. This dedicated and committed model railroading group sets up, runs their trains, and tears down in one of the most efficient operations imaginable. One of these talented trainmen even put new tires on our old tandem bicycle!
Improvement Projects:
Fencing
Century Fence finished the installation of a new fence separating the museum grounds from Iron Trail Campground on July 8, and the city has completed its inspection. A new drive-through gate and a walk-gate to the campground perimeter road were included. This project was made possible with funding from the Legacy grant program funded by Minnesota taxpayers, plus matching funds from the City of Chisholm, donations from members, and many volunteer hours clearing brush. This completes the fencing all around the grounds, providing security for the Museum’s artifacts.
Castle Door
The back Castle Door has been replaced and locks installed between the upper and lower levels of the Castle. With this project complete, the Museum is in a better position to host events using the Castle bathrooms after hours. Currently we are planning a custom overhang to shield the door from the elements and rain gutters to direct roof water away from the castle.
Greetings from the Staff….
What an usual start to 2020! With the COVID-19 pandemic arriving in late winter of 2020, the Minnesota Museum of Mining, a "non-essential business", was closed to the public during May. Planning a phased re-opening beginning July 3, we will operate just 4 days per week: Friday through Monday, for our first two weeks. After that we hope to resume daily operations. We are putting additional cleaning and new sanitizing procedures in place for visitor and worker safety. Some exhibit buildings will have small occupancy limits (25% capacity) but our 13-acre grounds can accommodate 250 visitors.
Meanwhile, volunteers have begun repairs that are be best done prior to opening, and are learning to meet "virtually" rather than in person.
Our 2020 membership drive has kicked off. Early returns are showing a heart-warming willingness to make additional donations besides membership dues renewal. This helps us with our fixed cost, such as insurance, utilities, and the constant maintenance that this site requires.
We encourage you, our history-minded followers, to keep a journal or log of what this period was like from your perspective. If you are not a journalist, write yourself a letter describing what this time what like for you. What was your daily life like? How did the epidemic affect you personally? In years to come, the newspaper articles about the pandemic may remain, but your personal individual memories will only be saved if you record them now.
July 15, 2019 NEWSLETTER
Greetings from the Staff….
Howdy all and greetings from the Museum! This season so far has been busy as the Museum has played host to a many school groups, the Scouts Voyageur Camporall, and Tour of Minnesota cyclists’ overnight stop. We are on track to exceed both 2018 visitor numbers and Museum Store sales this year.
Membership
Memer numbers are running just a little ahead of 2019, but the number of hours contributed is way up. A huge thank you goes out to all our members and volunteers that have supported us and assisted with maintenance, tours, and organizing events.
Happenings:
Iron Pour
The Iron Pour on June 8th and 9th was held in conjunction with Igneous Metal Arts. New York Artist-in-Residence Athena LaTocha poured her works, then enhanced the many pieces until her exhibit opening at the MacRostie Art Center in Grand Rapids July 5. Her work remains on display at the MAC through July 26. This expanded Iron Pour was funded by a $5000 Legacy grant from the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council.
Train Days
Train Days 2019 coincided with the Tour of Minnesota cyclist visit. This dedicated and committed model railroading group sets up, runs their trains, and tears down in one of the most efficient operations imaginable. One of these talented trainmen even put new tires on our old tandem bicycle!
Improvement Projects:
Fencing
Century Fence finished the installation of a new fence separating the museum grounds from Iron Trail Campground on July 8, and the city has completed its inspection. A new drive-through gate and a walk-gate to the campground perimeter road were included. This project was made possible with funding from the Legacy grant program funded by Minnesota taxpayers, plus matching funds from the City of Chisholm, donations from members, and many volunteer hours clearing brush. This completes the fencing all around the grounds, providing security for the Museum’s artifacts.
Castle Door
The back Castle Door has been replaced and locks installed between the upper and lower levels of the Castle. With this project complete, the Museum is in a better position to host events using the Castle bathrooms after hours. Currently we are planning a custom overhang to shield the door from the elements and rain gutters to direct roof water away from the castle.