Michigan Iron Industry Museum closed due to roof damage

What’s happening: The Michigan Iron Industry Museum in Negaunee is closed indefinitely because of structural damage to its main roof, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The structural damage was caused by heavy snow; the roof is intact but several trusses that bear the roof’s weight began cracking on Feb. 21. Additional snow from the most recent storm has been removed.

The response: The museum is a subunit of Van Riper State Park, which is coordinating the emergency response with support from the MHC. Work to stabilize the damaged trusses is a short-term measure intended to prevent full roof collapse.

What they’re saying: “The museum’s roof system was built to handle significant snow loads, but this season’s heavy snow, combined with drifts caused by windy conditions, has proved to be more than the structure could bear,” said Tobi Voigt, who is director of museums for the Michigan History Center. The Michigan History Center, part of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, co-manages the museum with the DNR Parks and Recreation Division.

What’s next: Next steps include a more thorough evaluation of the entire roof system to ensure no additional damage has been sustained and determine what long-term fixes are needed, up to and including roof redesign and replacement. Emergency stabilization of the compromised trusses will begin March 23. Once the roof is stabilized, museum staff will remove artifacts and exhibit casework from the museum’s main gallery and safely store them until the permanent repairs are completed.