Take a trip through the history of snowmobiling at the "Top of the Lake"
The snowmobile museum in Naubinway has been around for just over ten years. They opened their doors on July 4th of 2006. Those doors belonged to an old laundromat and they only had a fraction of the sleds on display that they do now.
But this isn't just a place to come and see unusual snowmobiles. You can learn about the history of the machine itself. Why was it invented and who came up with this crazy contraption that Yoopers love?
Charlie Vallier is the Chairman of the museum board and one of a handful of volunteers who man the museum.
"They got tired of the skis or snow shoes so they figured out someway to conquer than snow and ice. The utility companies used them. Mail carriers used them…"
But you won't just find snowmobiles that were used in the UP. You'll find ones that were made in the UP like the Waywego.
"The Waywego was made in Trenary. He only made five sleds. It's the two piece. It looks like a little bulldozer pulling a sleigh. Like an ironing board sitting on two skis" sais Charlie. "I found it. Got the history about it. Restored it and now it's here in the museum."
They also have the Timberwolf that was made in Sault Sainte Marie and one that they have nicknamed "The Pizza Oven" that just needs to be seen to be appreciated.
There are also a lot of products that just didn't catch on. They have a camper to be pulled behind a snowmobile. A snowmobike. A convertible top for a snowmobile. Tons of of unique things and this is the place to come and see odd items like that that you just won't see anywhere else.
Charlie says there is only one complaint they ever get and he can live with it.
"You don't have a Ski-Doo Olympic. Well, that's because they made a million Ski-Doo Olympics. Anybody can go see a Ski-Doo Olympic but who's going to see a Dolphin or a Autoboggan?"
And Charlie has a story to go with each sled.
So whether you like snowmobiles or live snowmobiles stop in here the next time you are passing through Naubinway.
