Marquette Regional History Center

Marquette Regional History Center History Museum with fully immersive, interactive exhibits, Gift shop, Research Library. Since 1918. The C. We are a private, non-profit organization.

The new Marquette Regional History Center opened March 7, 2011 with three times the exhibit space of the former museum and fully immersive and interactive exhibits! All of the exhibits were built and created by local artists and craftsmen. Fred Rydholm Gathering Hall, named in honor of noted local historian seats 200 people and is available for rental for weddings, showers, retirement parties, con

ferences, class reunions, fund-raisers or any other event. A projection dome tops the reception hall which displays moving lights at night. Included in the design is a children’s classroom for visiting school groups to do hands-on projects. There's also an outdoor green space with an amphitheater, educational gardens, and Spring & Third Museum Store which sells works by local artists and regional books on history. A BRIEF HISTORY

The organization was founded in 1918 to preserve and interpret the area’s rich cultural heritage. Over the past 92 years, the community has been so generous with artifact and library donations that the former museum was bursting at the seams! A new building was purchased in 2007 and renovated into a state-of-the-art museum facility. The new building is across Third Street from the historic Marquette County Courthouse in downtown Marquette. We are funded by admissions, memberships, store sales, grants and donations by people like you! Thanks for your support! To see a video of the moving and rebuilding of the log structures check this link out - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBpB3TxwZrc

To watch the dome being placed on top of the building, go to this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFYhnm55EhM



Our Mission Statement:
“We believe the preservation of the cultural and physical history of our area brings an understanding to the past and present, and provides a guide for the future. The Marquette County History Museum not only maintains exhibits, artifacts and a research library, it is a forum for engaging the community and creating links between people.”

The Marquette Regional History Center will be closed today, Monday, September 7 for Labor Day. Regular hours resume Tues...
09/07/2026

The Marquette Regional History Center will be closed today, Monday, September 7 for Labor Day.

Regular hours resume Tuesday at 10am!

Cliff's Shaft Labor Strike, 1946

School is soon in session, and summer tourist season is coming to an end. For this Artifact Friday, we feature some sou...
09/04/2026

School is soon in session, and summer tourist season is coming to an end. For this Artifact Friday, we feature some souvenir view folders, a "Miniatures of Marquette" booklet and other image-based souvenir pamphlets from the Longyear Research Library Photograph collection.

Miniatures of Marquette was made in 1906 by Tom Jones, as part of his Scenic Souvenirs collection. It says, "Published for C. F. Willesen, Marquette, Mich." Willesen owned a News Depot, at 111 W Washington, Marquette. The foldable photo album contains 25 images, some of which being the Life Saving Service, Post Office and Arch Rock. It is 3x4 inches when closed.

The blue Ishpeming Souvenir book is also just a few inches in size. The other examples are regular postcard size.

Consider joining HistoriCorps, a historic preservation non-profit, as they restore the historic East Channel Lighthouse ...
09/04/2026

Consider joining HistoriCorps, a historic preservation non-profit, as they restore the historic East Channel Lighthouse in the Hiawatha National Forest 🛠️

There are three, week-long volunteer sessions between September 6- September 25. Follow link in comments to register and learn more.

09/03/2026

When Dolly visited Marquette…❤️ (& more Lakeview Arena concert history)! 🦋

This afternoon the Marquette Regional History Center celebrated with volunteers at the annual Volunteer Appreciation Par...
09/02/2026

This afternoon the Marquette Regional History Center celebrated with volunteers at the annual Volunteer Appreciation Party! THANK YOU to all who dedicate your time to helping this organization run smoothly, and preserving, sharing and discovering the cultural and physical history of Marquette.

Board of Trustees - Library - Education - Curatorial - Gift Store
The MRHC could not exist without your help 🌟❤️

Please help us thank this gracious crew and put a shout out in the comments for your loved one(s) that volunteers at the MRHC!

Have you ever considered collecting the histories of your parents, grandparents, neighbors or mentors but aren't sure wh...
09/01/2026

Have you ever considered collecting the histories of your parents, grandparents, neighbors or mentors but aren't sure where to begin?

Join the Library of Michigan's Michigan Oral History Association at the Peter White Public Library for an Oral History Workshop - September 23, 10am-4pm.

Last week, museum Educator Betsy Rutz was a step on bus tour guide for an NMU ASSIST Department outing. After their trip...
08/31/2026

Last week, museum Educator Betsy Rutz was a step on bus tour guide for an NMU ASSIST Department outing. After their trip around town, the group came to the museum and explored the galleries. It was a blast getting to share Marquette history with these students!

Today, NMU Outdoor Recreation students are here to get acquainted with the museum galleries and Longyear Research Library. In the next few weeks they'll begin researching to create local walking tours for their Interpretation class!

Plus, we got to meet many new and returning students at NMU Fall Fest. We gave away 170 vintage postcards, stamped and ready to write home about the first week of school.

Learning the history of Marquette builds appreciation, care, and lasting connection to the community these students called home while in college (and hopefully after they graduate)!😊

Northern Michigan University

Receipt, Washington National Monument circa December 1847 - Februrary 21, 1848Philo Everett of Marquette paid $7.50 towa...
08/28/2026

Receipt, Washington National Monument
circa December 1847 - Februrary 21, 1848
Philo Everett of Marquette paid $7.50 toward the proposed monument in Washington, D.C.

This receipt was signed by former President, John Quincy Adams, current President James Polk, and future Presidents Zachary Taylor and Millard Fillmore, as well as Daniel Webster, Henry Clay, and Albert Gallatin. Construction occurred from 1848 to 1855 and stopped when funds were depleted. Work resumed in 1878 and was completed in 1884. When completed at just over 554 feet, it was the tallest structure in the world.

Philo Everett is known for the development of Marquette County. He formed the Jackson Mining Company in 1845 which opened the first iron mine in the Marquette area and a forge to smelt its ore on the Carp River. He served as the postmaster there. Later, he and his family moved to Marquette where his work included overseeing the building of the Jackson Ore Dock.

From MRHC special exhibit, The U.P. Through 250 Artifacts, open until January 2027

Address

145 W Spring Street
Marquette, MI
49855

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 8pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 3pm

Telephone

(906) 226-3571

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Marquette Regional History Center posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Museum

Send a message to Marquette Regional History Center:

Shortcuts

Share

Category