Preserving History

On behalf of the Menominee Range Historical Foundation Board of Governors, I welcome you to the Foundation’s website. Hopefully, you will be able to visit one or more of our three museums, each uniquely focused on our area’s history and the role our ancestors played in the development of our nation.

Thousands of visitors have toured our museums since their inception, beginning with The Menominee Range Historical Museum opened in 1974, followed by The Cornish Pumping & Mining Museum opened in 1983, and finally The World War II Glider & Military Museum opened in 2011. Visitors come from across the country and around the world, some specifically to see the Cornish Pumping Engine, the largest steam engine in North America built in 1890, and the World War II Glider, one of only seven fully-restored CG-4A model Gliders in the world.

It’s important to note that our foundation is a 501 (c) 3 organization, and thus we are dependent upon donations, grants, membership dues and earned income to provide our annual operating costs. Most visitors are amazed at the professionalism of the displays and the depth of our collections, all completed by dozens of dedicated volunteers over the decades. If you have visited any one of our three museums, or are just learning about our rich history, I encourage you to consider donating.

The Menominee Range Historical Foundation is a member of the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH), the Historical Society of Michigan, the Upper Peninsula Travel and Recreation Association (UPTRA) and the Tourism Association of the Dickinson County Area (TADCA). Thank you for visiting and let us know if you have any questions on anything you see!