Kempf House Museum

Home
United States
Ann Arbor, MI
Kempf House Museum

Call Directions Website Contact the museum

Built in 1853, this Greek Revival house was home to German-American music teachers and their family. Fifth Ave (a half-block south of the museum).

Parking is available at the Library Lane surface lot or parking structure between Division and S. During Open Houses or tours by appointment, guides will lead you through restored rooms, including the music studio where the 1877 Steinway Concert Grand Piano remains as it has for over 100 years. Visitors will also hear how the Kempf family contributed to the musical culture of Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan. The Kempf House also hosts a Noon Lecture Series and various social/historical events. See our Events calendar at http://www.kempfhousemuseum.org/.

10/17/2026

Wednesday Noon Lecture this week, October 21st >>>>

"The Women of the Kahn Family, A Quiet Dignity"

Most people are aware of architect Albert Kahn who designed 23 buildings on the University of Michigan campus, including Hill Auditorium and Burton Tower, but not many people know about the women who supported him and his work. Carol Rose Kahn, Albert and Ernestine Kahn's grand-daughter, will share the legends of these Kahn women -- Ernestine Krolik Kahn, Albert's wife, Gisela Kahn Gresser, his niece and internationally known chess player, his sister Mollie Kahn Fuchs, founder of the blueprinting company Multi-Color Copying, and Sarah Ewell Krolik, the legendary teacher and social activist/philanthropic of Detroit.

10/06/2026

Wednesday Noon Lecture TOMORROW, OCTOBER 7TH >>>>

"The History of the Argus Camera Company"
Bob Kelly, Board President of the Argus Museum in Ann Arbor, will speak on the fascinating history of the Argus Camera Company.
Noon–1 p.m., 312 S. Division. Free; donations accepted. (734) 994–4898, kempfhousemuseum.org.
Parking available in a surface lot or underground parking structure a half-block south of the Kempf House.

09/12/2026

WEDNESDAY NOON LECTURE on SEPTEMBER 30th >>>>

“The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde -
The History and Horrors of Early Stage Adaptations"

Join theater historian Kevin Peshick as we follow Robert Louis Stevenson’s short story from the stages of Victorian London to the opera houses of Michigan, watching the play transform, like the dual character of Jekyll and Hyde, to reflect the cultural values and anxieties of the times. You'll hear about the evolution of stage productions of Robert Louis Stevenson’s spine-tingling short story. Noon–1 p.m., 312 S. Division. Free; donations accepted. (734) 994–4898, kempfhousemuseum.org.

07/15/2026

We have cancelled our September Open House during Labor Day weekend, but we'll still be open the 1st Sunday in October and November. Stop by from 1pm to 4pm on October 4th or November 1st and experience guided tours through this beautiful Greek Revival museum!

05/07/2026

Ever walked by the Kempf House and wondered what it's all about? Come visit us during our last Open House of the spring on June 7th, 1-4 pm! (We'll also be open the first Sunday in October and November.) Check back here or visit our website calendar in early December when we get decked out for Christmas!
Experience a guided tour through restored rooms, including the music studio where our 1877 Steinway Concert Grand Piano remains as it has for over 100 years. Visitors can hear about the Greek Revival architecture, German culture, and the roles that the Kempf family played in Ann Arbor.
Admission is free, donations appreciated.

04/20/2026

Our last Wednesday lecture for this spring! ---> April 22nd, noon to 1pm:
A conversation with John Hilton, the long-time editor of the Ann Arbor Observer monthly magazine, who has recently retired.

Admission free, donations appreciated.

04/11/2026

Our next Wednesday lecture ---> April 15th, noon to 1pm:
Margaret Leary, Librarian Emerita of the University of Michigan Law School and community volunteer, talks about William W. Cook, who provided money and architects for the Martha Cook Building and the entire Cook Law Quadrangle. He and Harry Hutchins showed that the University could not be the equal of private schools like Columbia, Yale, and Harvard without large financial support from UM’s vast alumni body.

Admission free, donations appreciated.

04/06/2026

Join us this Wednesday, April 8, for our next noon lecture!

Teacher and author Susan Nenadic will present "Crime and Punishment: Michigan’s Criminal Past". Not only was it the first state to ban the death penalty, but Michigan gained fame for its enlightened treatment of young people, first-time offenders, and women. Michigan considered punishment vs reform and chose the latter.

Admission is free, donations appreciated.

Address

312 S Division Street
Ann Arbor, MI
48104

Opening Hours

1pm - 4pm

Telephone

(734) 994-4898

Website

http://www.kempfhousemuseum.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Kempf House Museum posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Museum

Send a message to Kempf House Museum:

Want your museum to be the top-listed museum in Ann Arbor?