Mackinac Bridge Museum To Reopen in Mackinaw City

Retired Mackinac Bridge ironworker J.C. Stilwell of Mackinaw City, who worked on the construction of the span, attended 50th anniversary events at Bridge View Park in St. Ignace Saturday, July 28. Mr. Stilwell built the Mackinac Bridge Historic Museum in Mackinaw City.

For more than three years, from May 7, 1954, to November 1, 1957, ironworker J.C. Stilwell was one of 11,000 men employed to build the Mighty Mac.

"I could talk all day about the bridge," said Mr. Stilwell. "It was kind of the love of my life."

Mr. Stilwell was one of 30 men riding on the Michigan Building Trades Council float in the Mackinaw City parade Saturday, July 28, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the span's construction. The men on the float represented the tradesmen who built the bridge.

In 1981, Mr. Stilwell launched the International Ironworkers Festival, which is held each summer in his hometown of Mackinaw City.

Now retired after 52 years on the job, he said, "I'm proud to be an ironworker."

Mr. Stilwell built the Mackinac Bridge Historic Museum, which he first opened in 1979. The museum also housed MaMa Mia's Pizzeria and Restaurant and stood on the corner of Central Avenue and Henry Street in Mackinaw City, until it was completely destroyed by fire August 28, 2005.

Since the fire, Mr. Stilwell, 78, said he has been working to rebuild the business and the museum, which he hopes to reopen in August.