Michigan History Center | Lansing

The Michigan History Center is one of Michigan’s most important cultural institutions. It’s not just a single museum or archive—it’s an interconnected complex that preserves, interprets, and shares the complete historical story of the state, from prehistoric times to the present. It’s located in Lansing, the state capital, and operates under the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

1. Michigan History Museum (Main Attraction)

The Michigan History Museum, the centerpiece of the center, spans several floors and is designed to immerse visitors in a rich narrative of Michigan’s evolution.

Permanent Exhibits (Organized Chronologically):

Prehistoric Michigan: Features fossils and geological evidence showing that Michigan was once covered by oceans and glaciers. The gallery includes information on mastodons, early human tools, and indigenous migration.

Indigenous Cultures: Focuses on the Anishinaabe peoples—Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi—who lived in the Great Lakes region for centuries before European colonization. Their culture, language, spiritual practices, and tools are prominently featured.

Fur Trade Era (1600s–1700s): Chronicles the interaction between Native tribes and French traders. Realistic dioramas show trading posts, canoes, and cultural exchanges.

Statehood and Early Settlement: Highlights Michigan’s entry into the Union in 1837 and the challenges of frontier life, including agriculture, town-building, and government.

Industrial Growth (Late 1800s–Early 1900s):

Logging: Recreated logging camps and tools show how timber shaped Michigan’s economy and environment.

Mining: Visitors can walk into a life-sized replica of a copper mine from the Upper Peninsula.

Automobile Industry: A massive exhibit on the rise of Detroit’s auto industry, with real Model T vehicles, assembly line demonstrations, and personal stories from workers.

The Great Migration & Urbanization: Examines the 20th-century movement of African Americans and immigrants into cities like Detroit and Flint. Exhibits focus on community formation, labor struggles, and culture.

Mid-Century Michigan & Civil Rights Era: Displays include 1950s suburbia, the development of highways, and civil rights activism in the state.

Late 20th to Early 21st Century: Covers Michigan’s environmental efforts, globalization effects on industry, and the Flint water crisis.

2. Archives of Michigan

This department houses over 100 million records. It serves researchers, historians, and genealogists.

Holdings include:

State census records, land grants, birth and death certificates

Historic photographs (some from the Civil War era)

Maps from the 1700s onward

Audio recordings and original manuscripts

The Archives provide public access to microfilm and digitized documents. There are dedicated research rooms and staff archivists who assist with deep research projects.

3. Library of Michigan

While not strictly part of the Michigan History Center’s museum, it’s in the same complex and works closely with the Center.

Collections include:

Over 3 million books, maps, and documents

One of the largest genealogical libraries in the U.S.

Rare books section with first editions and historic legislative records

The library supports statewide literacy, maintains Michigan’s official bibliography, and collaborates with schools and educators.

4. Educational & Family Features

Carl the Tree: A unique child-focused feature—a large white pine tree named “Carl” in the museum's atrium. Children are encouraged to interact by writing letters or drawing for Carl, blending nature and history.

Hands-on Exhibits: Kids can try using old-fashioned telephones, sit in a one-room schoolhouse, or examine touchable replicas of ancient artifacts.

Programs & Field Trips:

Guided tours for students and seniors

Interactive scavenger hunts

Workshops in storytelling, oral history, and genealogy

5. Special Exhibits & Rotating Features

Throughout the year, the museum hosts special themed exhibits. As of 2025:

“Black Bottom Street View”: An immersive recreation of Detroit’s historically Black neighborhood before its demolition in the 1960s. Includes panoramic street murals and audio from former residents.

Seasonal Installations: Focused on topics such as Women’s Suffrage in Michigan, the 1967 Detroit Uprising, environmental justice, or wartime contributions.

6. Visitor Information

Location: 702 W. Kalamazoo St., Lansing, MI 48915

Phone: (517) 335-2573

Hours:

Monday to Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Sunday: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Admission:

Adults: $8

Seniors (65+): $6

Youth (6–17): $4

Children (5 and under): Free

Sundays: Free for all

EBT Cardholders (Museums for All): $2 for adults, free for children

7. Architectural and Facility Highlights

The Michigan Library and Historical Center building is architecturally significant, with a dramatic five-story atrium, a sculpture of Michigan made from copper and iron, and a mural of the state's natural and human history.

There’s an auditorium for lectures and films, a museum shop with Michigan-themed items, and a café on-site.

The Michigan History Center offers not only a museum experience but an in-depth exploration of Michigan’s identity—connecting landscapes, people, industries, and ideas across time. It’s ideal for visitors seeking both educational value and emotional resonance with Michigan’s past and present.