Museums reopen in Superior

History buffs can again explore the stories of the past at some of Superior’s museums.

The Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center and Fairlawn Mansion reopened to the public this week, and plans are in the works to reopen the SS Meteor on June 15. The Old Firehouse and Police Museum will be open by appointment only this summer because of renovations being done there; reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance.

People can expect some changes at the museums because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“We are requiring masks, and we have number limits on how many people can be in the building in certain areas at a time,” said Briana Fiandt, curator of the Bong Center. She said disinfection efforts are also being stepped up.

At Superior Public Museums, which manages Fairlawn, the Meteor and the Old Firehouse and Police Museum, staff will be required to wear masks and the public is strongly encouraged to wear them for the time being, said SPM director Megan Meyer. People can bring their own or buy one in the gift shops.

Reservations are also encouraged to ensure tour times are available.

“Walk-ins will be limited because we’re only allowing six people per tour, and they must either reside together or know each other,” Meyer said. “Pretty much it’s a private tour for a max of six.”

Reservations can be booked online through Bookeo, available at superiorpublicmuseums.org , or call 715-394-5712.

Call the Meteor at 715-718-0160 after June 15.

For information about the Bong Center, call 715-392-7151 or go to bongcenter.org .

“The Bong Center has always enjoyed having visitors come through and learn about our Northland heroes,” said Dustin Heckman, the center's director. “Although things are a little different now with taking precautionary measures, we are so excited to have visitors coming through the door and learning about those stories and helping preserve veterans’ stories.

Fairlawn’s popular ice cream social is taking a different form because of the pandemic.

Scheduled for 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. July 22, it’s going to be a virtual event.

There will be sundae-making contests, coloring contests, virtual games for kids and a top-to-bottom tour of Fairlawn on Facebook Live, Meyer said. Other events are still being planned.

With the large crowds that usually show up for the ice cream social, Meyer said going virtual for the annual fundraiser makes it easier to maintain social distances.

For more information about the event, go to facebook.com/events/297025751325926 .