Michigan Stories Presented at New Wax Museum on US-2
By Ryan Schlehuber

The new Michigan Weird Wax Museum, with 12 displays using wax figures, gives visitors an interesting look at some of Michigan's odd and weird historic tales. Pictured with the "King of Beaver Island" are museum maintenance employee Mike Hiop (left) and managing director Ken Witzgall. The museum opened Saturday, June 16, four miles west of St. Ignace.

The new Michigan Weird Wax Museum, which opened Saturday, June 16, tickles an interest in the weird side of Michigan's history, presenting a dozen stories depicted by wax figures.

The museum on US-2, four miles west of St. Ignace, captures stories collected by two brothers, such as the story of the Mormon leader James Jesse Strang, who created America's only kingdom on Beaver Island in the 1800s, and the Flint woman who dressed as a man to fight in the Civil War. There is also the legendary story of Dog Man, a half-man, half-dog character, who was said to roam the woods near Kalkaska.

Each display has its own descriptive story, which can be read by visitors as they pass along a hallway.

The museum is owned by brothers J.B. Bieske and Neil Bieszke of the Detroit area, and managed by Ken Witzgall.

"The concept of our museum is to get a sense of how interesting and weird our history is," said Mr. Witzgall, a creative writer from Fenton. "I think it's something that families will enjoy."

The attraction of every such museum is its wax figures, said Mr. Witzgall.

"Wax museums are intriguing because of the realism of it," he said. "It provides a glimpse of the past, a moment frozen in time."

The museum also has a gift shop full of weird and fun toys, and T-shirts.

With the help of Mike Hiop of Clinton Township, considered the museum's "jack of all trades" worker, and assistant manager Derek Kohl of Ishpeming, Mr. Witzgall put together the series of displays and designed the interior of the museum.

Mr. Witzgall, who moved to St. Ignace in February to begin work on the new museum, remembers seeing the collection of wax figures at his uncles' house as a kid.

"They've had them for years, waiting for the best opportunity to open up a business in the Upper Peninsula," he said. "Our family has been coming up here to visit since I was a kid."

The family has owned the property for 10 years in hopes of creating a tourist attraction business. Mr. Witzgall said his uncles got the idea to open a wax museum when they visited one depicting the Revolutionary War.

Neil Bieszke lives in Macomb and is an engineer for Daimler- Chrysler. J.B. Bieske lives in Shelby Township and owns a law firm, Bieske & Associates.

Mr. Witzgall hopes his visitors are as impressed with the museum as he is with St. Ignace.

"Everyone here in St. Ignace has been very supportive," said Mr. Witzgall of his efforts to open the business. "I really like this area. Everybody seems to know everyone and everyone treats you like they've known you for years."

The Michigan Weird Wax Museum, which has ample parking space, will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week, through October. Tickets are $7 for visitors ages 12 and older, and $5 for children ages 11 and younger.

Call 643-8380 for more information.