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Monday 10am - 4pm Tuesday 10am - 4pm Wednesday 10am - 4pm Thursday 10am - 4pm Friday 10am - 4pm Saturday 10am - 4pm Sunday 1pm - 5pm

Michigan History Center

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Michigan History Center

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Explore stories of Michigan people from the time of ancient inhabitants to the late 20th century. Discovery never ends at the Michigan History Center!
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Enjoy a variety of exhibits, programs for teachers and students, and activities and events for all ages. The Michigan History Center includes the Archives of Michigan and the Michigan History Museum, the flagship of our 12-site Michigan History Museum System. Located in downtown Lansing, the museum features more than 25 galleries of permanent exhibits, special exhibits and a three-story-high topographical map of the state. The Michigan History Center fosters curiosity, enjoyment and inspiration rooted in Michigan's stories. We constantly seek new ways to provide opportunities for experiences that spark curiosity. We are as enthusiastic about the as-yet-untold stories of Michigan as we are about tales of Father Marquette of 19th-century lumberjacks. We are committed to providing opportunities for all people to see themselves as they experience our exhibits, our collections and our programs.

10/13/2026

What do you know about the Battle of the River Raisin? Learn more it and the site's archaeology during a special presentation at Michigan Archaeology Day 2026.

In January 1813, the small farming settlement along the River Raisin—present day Monroe—became the site of one of the deadliest American defeats of the War of 1812. The rallying cry “Remember the Raisin” would shape U.S. relations with Native Nations for generations. This talk, presented by John M. Chenoweth, professor of anthropology at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, uses UM-Dearborn's River Raisin Archaeological Project to show how historical archaeology, the archaeology of the last few centuries, recovers stories the documents leave out: the daily lives of the French-descended families who settled here from the 1780s, the battles that swept through their homes, and lasting consequences for the Wyandot, Potawatomi and other Nations of the “Old Northwest.” Don't miss this presentation, Historical Archaeology and the Battles of the River Raisin, Monroe, MI, from 2-3 p.m. in the Forum Auditroum!

Michigan Archaeology Day 2026 will be held on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Michigan History Museum in Lansing. Learn more about the event on our website athttps://www.michigan.gov/mhc/events/2026/10/24/michigan-history-museum---michigan-archaeology-day-2026.

10/08/2026

From Sketch Up to on display! Feel the spirit of '76 with the MHC's latest lobby case exhibit.

10/07/2026

What is it? How old is it? Is it important? If you have an artifact you want to know more about, join us at the Archaeology Roadshow during Michigan Archaeology Day! Experts in archaeology, geology and paleontology will be on hand to assess your finds and teach you how to report sites. If it can fit in a shoe box, bring it in! Please note that in order to support the preservation of archaeological artifacts and sites, no monetary values will be provided at this event.

Michigan Archaeology Day takes place this year on Saturday, October 24, at the Michigan History Museum in Lansing. To learn more, visit our website athttps://www.michigan.gov/mhc/events/2026/10/24/michigan-history-museum---michigan-archaeology-day-2026

10/05/2026

Are you ready to solve our mystery? Tickets for Mystery at the Museum are on sale NOW! Get your tickets at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mystery-at-the-museum-tickets-2001224015903?aff=oddtdtcreator.

Join us for a peculiar after-hours event at the Michigan History Museum on Friday, November 6! Participants will explore the museum to search for clues, interview suspects and identify opportunity and motive. Tickets are $30 and include the mystery, parking and light refreshments.

Don't wait! This event sold out fast in February. See you on November 6!

10/01/2026

New lobby case alert! The MHC collections and exhibit teams are working together to assemble the new display. While they finish up, here's a little bit more about it...

The United States celebrated the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence this year. But what about the Bicentennial celebration back in 1976? This lobby case aims to capture the spirit of America's bicentennial with a display of USA-branded items produced during the celebration.

Great job, team! Stay tuned for a full lobby case reveal.

09/30/2026

Don't forget! Tickets for Mystery at the Museum on Friday, November 6, go on sale this Monday, October 5, at 8 a.m. This event sold out in under an hour back in February, so don't wait to get your tickets!

Read about the event, the evening's agenda and an FAQ at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mystery-at-the-museum-tickets-2001224015903?aff=oddtdtcreator.

09/21/2026

Can you solve our mystery? Join us on Friday, November 6, from 6:30-9 p.m. for another Mystery at the Museum!

‘Clue’ meets ‘Night at the Museum’ during this peculiar after-hours event at the Michigan History Museum. Participants will explore the museum to search for clues, interview suspects and identify opportunity and motive.

Tickets cost $30 per person and go on sale at 8 a.m. on Monday, October 5. Your ticket includes the mystery, parking and light refreshments. While this mystery is a work of fiction, Mystery at the Museum is best suited for older audiences. You must be 18 years or older to participate.

Visit the event listing to see more details, the agenda, an FAQ and more: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mystery-at-the-museum-tickets-2001224015903?aff=oddtdtcreator

09/15/2026

CADL's October Storytime at the Michigan History Museum is the perfect opportunity for families with young children to explore Black Velvet: A Rasquache Aesthetic before the exhibit comes down in November! Join Miss Cassie on Sunday, October 11, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., as we explore the exhibit's themes through stories, songs and hands-on fun designed especially for young children. After the stories, enjoy black velvet-inspired coloring pages while supplies last.

09/14/2026

A big thank you to everyone who attended the 2026 Underground Railroad Heritage Gathering this past weekend at Kellogg Community College! Plus, a huge shoutout to our presenters (pictured here) for sharing their knowledge with attendees.

From left to right: David LaLiberte, Sara DeSmet, Jamon Jordan, Jennifer Evans and Dr. Carolyn Carter.

09/09/2026

Join us this Friday, Sept. 11, at 4 p.m. for the dedication of the White Pine Trail Arch in Cadillac! This arch, which will be a part of the White Pine Heritage Trail, brings Cadillac's railroad and white pine heritage to life. Michigan artist Ivan Iler created the arch with Corten steel, brass pinecones, layered aluminum and copper pine needle.

The sculpture, installed at the trailhead near the intersection of Lake Street and South Street, will be one of many pieces of art installed along the White Pine Heritage Trail. We hope to see you there!

Address

702 W Kalamazoo Street
Lansing, MI
48915

Opening Hours

Monday	10am - 4pm
Tuesday	10am - 4pm
Wednesday	10am - 4pm
Thursday	10am - 4pm
Friday	10am - 4pm
Saturday	10am - 4pm
Sunday	1pm - 5pm

Telephone

+15173352573

Website

https://www.Michigan.gov/MHC

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