Grand Rapids Public Museum

The Grand Rapids Public Museum is now open.

Founded in 1845, the Grand Rapids Public Museum is among the oldest history museums in the United States.

Experience the Museum from Home

The GRPM offers various resources accessible from home, including exploring the Museum’s Collection, activities and more!

Live Stream at the Museum

Check out the Museum's Live Stream!

Permanent collections include:

Anishnabek: The People of This Place, exploring Native American contributions to West Michigan.
Collecting A-Z, presenting just some of the million or so objects the Museum has collected.
Furniture City, a history of the city's furniture manufacturing excellence.
Habitats, which transports visitors through the natural environments of Michigan.
Newcomers: The People of This Place, celebrating immigrant groups who helped make Grand Rapids what it is today.
Streets of Old Grand Rapids, a detailed recreation of an 1890s street scene.

Temporary exhibits have ranged from massive touring shows like "Bodies Revealed" to locally curated collections like "All Dressed Up - 1950s Style." One of the biggest shows in the Museum's history was here in 2013 - "Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition."

Check for current shows and events - just click the box next to "Grand Rapids Public Museum."

Spillman Carousel
One of the Museum's most enduring attractions, this 1928 carousel offers rides year-round to visitors old and young. Includes 44 hand-carved, elaborately jeweled wooden horses, two chariots, and a giraffe, lion, deer, goat, tiger and camel.

Chaffee Planetarium
A 145-seat theater under a fifty-foot dome, the planetarium is located on the second floor of the Museum. Open daily with a variety of shows.

Accessibility

ADA Compliant:
Accessible Restrooms:
ADA Doors:
Accessible Parking:
Lower Counter:
Signs with Braille:
Getting Around the Venue: The main entrance has push-button activated powered doors, and is flush with the sidewalk.

There are Men’s and Women’s multi-user style restrooms available with accessible stalls on each level of the venue. The restrooms on the first floor have push-button activated powered doors.

The paths through the exhibits are wide and level.

There are elevators that provided access to each level of the venue.

The interior spaces are very well lit. Bench seating is available.

There are lowered countertops available.
Accessible Parking Options: Grand Rapids Public Museum Parking Ramp at 59 Front Avenue NW. — 0.1 miles from the venue.

Limited handicap parking is available outside the Museum main entrance, under the overhang — 0.0 miles from the venue.