Steel: The Cycle of Industry, a special exhibition at the Grohmann Museum, has been extended through June 5 following a gift of the photographs to the museum by David Plowden. Steel places the viewer at the point where shovel meets dirt in the mining process and ends in the same soil surrounding these long-abandoned steel mills.

“The gift instantly increases the scope and quality of the museum’s photo collection,” said James Kieselburg, Grohmann Museum director. “We are pleased to extend the exhibition through June 5, allowing visitors more time to view these spectacular images.”

Between 1962 and 1985, Plowden sought to photographically capture the majesty of the steel industry while at the same time documenting the demise of the industry as we knew it. He states that “the architecture of steelmaking is like no other. Nowhere can you find this massiveness, drama, spectacle and danger but in a steel mill.”

Plowden initially selected the 178 photos for this exhibition, but since decided that the Grohmann Museum would be an ideal home for the images in perpetuity, given MSOE’s engineering focus and the images themselves documenting engineering marvels across the North American landscape.

The Grohmann Museum, 1000 N. Broadway, is open to the public Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, noon to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults; $3 for students and seniors; free for children under 12. MSOE students (with ID), alumni, faculty and staff are admitted free.