The Mackinac Bridge Museum, Mackinaw City, Michigan was destroyed in a fire on Sunday morning, August 28. A week earlier, we concluded a road trip day with a large pie at Mama Mia's Pizza, the restaurant below the free Bridge Museum at 231 E Central Ave. The upstairs attraction was frequented by tourists and restaurant patrons.

The Bridge Museum contained items donated by workers and the families of those who constructed the world's third longest suspension bridge, connecting Michigan's upper peninsula in 1958. The ceiling was covered with construction helmets. The exhibits of news clippings and photos, huge wrenches, diver suits and other artifacts wrapped around a narrow theater. The theater perpetually ran a video of an old industrial documentary, followed by an interview with J.C. Stilwell, ironworker and owner of the Museum. A crusty dummy sat in the front row, assuring no one would ever view the program alone.

Update - Sept 8, 2005: The museum owners intend to rebuild, and have put out a call for any artifacts that might be donated. They are also collecting names of individuals who worked on the bridge.

[08/31/2005]