Michigan History Center

06/20/2026

ONE WEEK until "Our Michigan Family History" at the Michigan History Museum! We've partnered with our friends over at WKAR to commemorate America's Semiquincentennial with a day dedicated to the stories that make up Michigan's rich history.

On Saturday, June 27, join us for a free day at the museum. You and your family can explore the exhibits, plus, we will have activities available! Play with historic toys, try your hand at games of the past and write your name in ink. In addition, take part in our Flag Scavenger Hunt! Find specific U.S. flags in the galleries and return your completed scavenger hunt to exchange for a prize.

That's not all! Check out the full event schedule on our website at: https://www.michigan.gov/mhc/events/2026/06/27/michigan-history-museum---our-michigan-family-history. We hope to see you there!

06/18/2026

The Michigan History Museum in Lansing and the Michigan Iron Industry Museum in Negaunee will be closed tomorrow, Friday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth. Both museums will return to normal hours on Saturday!

06/18/2026

The Mann House is getting a makeover (well, a fresh paint job)! During the first portion of the work, from June 22 through July 7, the Mann House will be closed. After July 7, while the paint work will still be on-going, the Mann House will reopen to visitors.

The Mann House was last repainted about 15 years ago and it's time for a refresh! At the time of the last painting, a paint analysis was conducted, and the original 1883 colors were discovered to be mustard yellow and hunter green.

We follow National Park Service preservation guidelines, which require historic houses to be painted in multiple layers of oil-based paint with the top and final coat being hand brushed to mimic how the home would've been painted originally.

06/16/2026

The Michigan History Museum is getting new atrium windows this summer! The construction is now underway and while it's ongoing, certain areas of the museum will be inaccessible. We will be keeping this page, as well as our website, updated with any changes that will affect visitors. Thanks for your patience!

06/16/2026

Happy birthday to our neighbor and friend, the Library of Michigan! 🥳 Wishing you another wonderful 198+ years!!!

Happy birthday . Michigan's state library has served the government and people of Michigan since June 16, 1828.

06/11/2026

Share and explore Michigan history through the lens of family stories! In commemoration of America’s Semiquincentennial, we are partnering with WKAR for “Our Michigan Family History,” a special event at the Michigan History Museum on Saturday, June 27, 2026.

Do you have a family heirloom or memento that tells a unique Michigan story? Share it with us! Your story could be featured at this special event. Submissions are due tomorrow, so please visit WKAR’s website at https://www.wkar.org/our-michigan-family-history.

Event schedule:
•10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy free museum admission and family friendly activities throughout the day: play with historic toys and games, complete scavenger hunts and sign your name using pen and ink.
•12-1:30 p.m.: Record a short video conversation about a family heirloom with the WKAR production team or MI Michigan Story podcast. Your story could be selected to be featured in upcoming social media or television content from WKAR. Limited opportunities for recording will be available.
•1:30 p.m.: Check out a preview of the WKAR original series Before America, presenting a reframing of Revolutionary-era history through Native perspectives.
•2 p.m.: Listen to a panel of historians and museum curators discuss featured heirlooms and Michigan history in the context of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

06/10/2026

TODAY at 3 p.m.! Join us for the dedication of the Log Mark Display for the White Pine Heritage Trail in Rockford. Find more details below ⬇️

06/10/2026

Check this out: refreshed window boxes at Fort Wilkins! The window boxes were last designed and fabricated in 1999 and our exhibits and collections teams worked together to update and refresh the displays. Be sure to visit Fort Wilkins this summer to see them!

Plan your visit at https://www.michigan.gov/mhc/museums/fwchl.

06/05/2026

Join us on Wednesday, June 10, at 3 p.m. in Rockford for a dedication of the Log Mark Sculpture as a part of the creation of the White Pine Heritage Trail! Meet us on the trail near the parking lot behind the Rockford Housing Commission. 59 S Main St A, Rockford, MI 49341. The star on the map marks where the sculpture is. We hope you can join us!

Learn more about the Heritage Trail Program: https://www.michigan.gov/mhc/heritage-trails.

06/04/2026

Cambridge Junction Historic State Park will be closed Friday-Sunday for the MIS races. Visit us next week or check out the Walker Tavern Farm & Craft Market next Sunday, June 14, for Flag Day!

Let's make some amazing memories! Please be aware that Cambridge Junction Historic State Park will be closed on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, June 5, 6 & 7 for the thrilling MIS race weekend. Although the Walker Tavern Farm & Craft Market won't be happening on Sunday, June 7, it's going to be a comeback like no other on Sunday, June 14 at 10am-2pm! We're gearing up to celebrate Flag Day in the most uplifting way possible! 🇺🇸 Join us for an afternoon filled with exciting trivia, delightful festive crafts, and awesome prizes! It's going to be a fantastic day at the market, see you there!
Friends of Walker Tavern