Bridge Museum in Mackinaw City destroyed in fire

Mackinac Bridge with smoke rising above Mackinaw City in background

Mama Mia's and the Bridge Museum on fire August 28, 2005

Mackinaw Bridge
Museum destroyed

For 25 years the Bridge Museum has been a popular free attraction in Mackinaw City, Michigan

Located above MaMa Mia's Restaurant the Bridge Museum was created by the restaurant's owner, J. C. Stilwell, who was one of the Ironworkers who built the Mighty Mac - The Mackinac Bridge. The museum began when JC purchased a spinning wheel (used to build the massive Mackinac Bridge cables on the spot) and a copy of a movie about the building of the bridge. Ironworkers from around the country began donating items to the museum, including a diving suit, documents, photographs, and many tools and parts used during the construction of the Mackinac Bridge.

MaMa Mia's and the Mackinaw Bridge Museum in 2004

On Sunday morning, August 28, 2005 a fire started in a storage area near the museum. 5 hours later, MaMa Mia's Pizzeria and Restaurant, and the Original Mackinac Bridge Historic Museum and Gift Shop were destroyed. 100 firefighters from seven departments helped battle the fire. One firefighter suffered minor smoke inhalation.

J. C. Stilwell is accepting donations for a new Bridge Museum which will open one mile south of Mackinaw City on US-31. He specially wants a diving suit and something called a 3 lung helmet. Anything pertaining to the Mackinac Bridge would be greatly appreciated.

Items to be contributed to the new museum should be sent to:

Mackinac Bridge Museum
P.O. Box 535
Mackinaw City, Michigan 49701

JC hopes to open in the spring of 2007. As always, admission will be free.

J. C. Stilwell during the 50th Anniversary of the ground breaking for the
Mackinac Bridge.

October 2005 - the lot was been cleared. The former restaurant will reopen on this site in 2007.

Great News: J. C. Stillwell has opened the new Mackinac Bridgemen Museum on US 31 south of Mackinaw City