Obscure U.P. museum chronicles a lost world

An Air Force base in the Upper Peninsula was once as big as a city. Now that it's gone, a few former residents are trying to keep its memory alive.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 5:31am

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The K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base was established in 1954 just south of Marquette, Michigan as a first-line defense against potential Soviet attacks. At its peak, the base had 7,000 military personnel and their families living there, with its own schools, police and fire departments, and other amenities. However, the end of the Cold War led to the base's closure in 1995, resulting in the loss of 5,000 jobs and a fifth of Marquette County's economy. A few former residents have created the K.I. Sawyer Heritage Air Museum to preserve the memory of this once-thriving community.

Why it matters

The K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base was a significant part of the Upper Peninsula's history and economy for over 40 years. Its closure had a major impact on the local community, and the museum's efforts to preserve its legacy highlight the importance of documenting and honoring the history of small-town America, even when the places themselves no longer exist.

The details

The museum is run entirely by volunteers, including retired Air Force Senior Master Sergeant Richard Verwey, who serves as the museum's president. The museum features exhibits on the various aircraft and squadrons that were stationed at K.I. Sawyer, as well as personal mementos and artifacts that provide a glimpse into the daily lives of the base's residents. Despite financial challenges, the museum's dedicated staff is working to keep the memory of the base alive, hoping to pass it on to future generations.

  • The K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base was established in 1954.
  • The base reached its peak population of 7,000 military personnel and their families.
  • The Air Force closed the base in 1995, resulting in the loss of 5,000 jobs and a fifth of Marquette County's economy.

The players

Richard Verwey

The 78-year-old retired senior master sergeant of the U.S. Air Force who is the president of the K.I. Sawyer Heritage Air Museum.

Sue McNeill

The 78-year-old librarian at the K.I. Sawyer Heritage Air Museum.

Missy Derby

The 45-year-old secretary of the K.I. Sawyer Heritage Air Museum.

K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base

A former U.S. Air Force base established in 1954 near Marquette, Michigan as a first-line defense against potential Soviet attacks during the Cold War.

K.I. Sawyer Heritage Air Museum

A museum dedicated to preserving the history and legacy of the former K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base, run by a team of volunteers.

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What they’re saying

“If it wasn't for him, they would have closed the doors already. He's gotten security cameras. He got donations. He got computers. He found people to donate money for certain things. He got the new windows in there because the windows were so thin that you could see the curtain blowing. He puts in so much time and so much effort, at one point I think his wife said, 'Look, I would like you home too, sometimes.'”

— Missy Derby, Secretary, K.I. Sawyer Heritage Air Museum

“Nobody gets paid here. We're all volunteers. Every penny that we raise goes into the maintenance of the museum.”

— Richard Verwey, President, K.I. Sawyer Heritage Air Museum

“It's important that we pass it on to the civilian sector and the kids that are coming up. They've got to know that what you're enjoying isn't free. People paid for it with their lives. And I'm doing everything I can to preserve it.”

— Richard Verwey, President, K.I. Sawyer Heritage Air Museum

What’s next

The museum's board has made an offer to the out-of-state investment firm that owns the property, but the offer is well below the asking price. If the museum can acquire the building, Verwey says he will be able to raise the necessary funds for repairs and maintenance.

The takeaway

The K.I. Sawyer Heritage Air Museum's efforts to preserve the legacy of the former Air Force base highlight the importance of documenting and honoring the history of small-town America, even when the places themselves no longer exist. The museum's dedicated volunteers are working to ensure that the sacrifices and contributions of the base's former residents are not forgotten.