Father Marquette National Memorial
Explore Fayette Historic Townsite, a former iron-making town in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
Explore Fort Wilkins and the Copper Harbor Lighthouses in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to learn about people and events that shaped this region.
Explore the state’s 19th-century logging era at Hartwick Pines Logging Museum.
The museum has exhibits on everything from the CCC's role in planting trees and building roads to its impact on the environment.
The Mann House and its contents illustrate typical family life in the 1880s.
The house is under extensive renovation and is closed to the public. Ulysses S. Grant and his wife, Julia Dent Grant, lived in this Detroit house from 1849 to 1850.
The Michigan Iron Industry Museum is a great place to learn about the history of Michigan's iron industry.
Sanilac Petroglyphs Historic State Park protects and interprets Michigan’s largest known collection of early Native American teachings carved in stone.
The Tawas Point Lighthouse is a fascinating attraction for maritime buffs and an exciting destination for birdwatchers.
This secret network aided thousands of people on their journey to freedom.
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Some teachers have found it helpful to show this five-minute video of the museum from Destination Michigan, a PBS program. Destination Michigan did a feature on the Michigan History Museum, complete with an interview of Tobi Voigt, the center's director of museums. The program has additional videos on their website that may be useful when teaching Michigan history.
Please check your group in at the information desk located inside the south entrance, or at the admissions desk under the "Museums - Archives" archway. Classroom size lockers are provided for groups to store lunches and belongings while visiting the museum. Visitor services staff members will assist you with lockers upon your arrival. Lockers are small, we advise you to leave large items and backpacks at school or on the bus.
If you have scheduled a guided tour or program, allow extra time to arrive, use the restroom and eat lunch (if applicable). Our museum educators are committed for the exact times that your programs are scheduled. Should you not be able to begin your program on time, the content will be modified to fit the time you have remaining.
Please view our visitor information page for up-to-date parking information.
Food, beverages (including water) and gum are prohibited in the museum galleries. Drinking fountains are available in the museum. If a member of your group requires food or drinks to be on hand while in the galleries, please notify our visitors services team prior to your visit at 517-335-2581.
The museum has a small lunch room where sack lunches can be enjoyed on site. Space is limited and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. If table space is not available in the lunch room for your group, we encourage you to enjoy your lunch on our lawn or at the picnic tables near the Kalamazoo entrance. Please have a back-up lunch plan in case the lunch room is not available during your visit.
The Michigan History Center museum store carries many affordable souvenirs, snacks, toys and books, and is very popular with students. All students must be accompanied by an adult in the store. Students entering without an adult will be asked to leave. During the busy spring tour season lines can be quite long. Plan time for visiting the museum store into your schedule.
We require a minimum of one chaperone for every 10 students. Chaperones are responsible for monitoring student behavior and must accompany their assigned students during the entire visit, including when using the restrooms. Download our chaperone instructions to hand out prior to your arrival.
Teachers and chaperones are responsible for monitoring student behavior at all times in the museum. If students are disruptive and disrespectful towards staff and other groups, your group may be asked to leave. If students’ behavior causes damage to the facilities or the museum exhibits, you group may be asked to leave and invoiced for any damage.