Washtenaw County Historical Society Museum | Ann Arbor

Washtenaw County Historical Society Museum on Main Street – Detailed Overview

The Museum on Main Street, operated by the Washtenaw County Historical Society (WCHS), is a community-focused history museum located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It serves as both a preservation site and an educational institution dedicated to documenting and presenting the diverse stories of Washtenaw County from its early settlement to modern times. Located at 500 N. Main Street, this museum not only offers rich historical exhibits but also embodies history itself as it is housed in a carefully restored 19th-century building.

The Washtenaw County Historical Society – Origins and Purpose

Founded in 1857, the Washtenaw County Historical Society is one of Michigan’s oldest historical organizations. Its mission is to preserve, interpret, and promote the history of Washtenaw County and the stories of its people. The Society collects artifacts, documents, photographs, and oral histories that reflect the cultural, social, economic, and political development of the county.

For much of its early existence, the Society operated without a permanent headquarters. It wasn't until 1990 that it acquired a permanent facility through the relocation and restoration of a historic home – the Kellogg-Warden House – which then became the Museum on Main Street.

The Kellogg-Warden House – A Historic Home Turned Museum

The museum is housed in a building that dates back to circa 1835, originally built in the Greek Revival architectural style. It was once located on Wall Street in Ann Arbor, near the Huron River, and served as a private residence for families including the Kelloggs, Wardens, and Greiners.

Key architectural features of the Kellogg-Warden House include:

Clapboard siding

Symmetrical design with side-gabled roof

Wide wooden floorboards and lathe/plaster walls

Brick "nogging" (an early insulation technique where bricks were laid between wall studs)

The structure was physically moved across the Huron River to 500 N. Main Street, a complex and delicate process aimed at saving the historic building from demolition due to hospital expansion. It now stands as an artifact itself and is listed on the State Register of Historic Sites.

Exhibits and Permanent Collections

The museum offers rotating exhibitions throughout the year, often themed around social life, public events, domestic life, community development, and major historical shifts. While there is no single permanent exhibit, the museum’s strength lies in its interpretive storytelling that connects local artifacts to the larger national narrative.

Past and Notable Exhibitions:

"Ann Arbor’s Story – The First 50 Years (1824–1874)"

Presented in honor of Ann Arbor's bicentennial.

Explored early settler life, commerce, education, and transportation.

Included historic maps, early photographs, textiles, and tools.

"Murder, Mayhem, and Mischief in Washtenaw County"

A popular exhibit that examined real-life criminal and scandalous events from the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Used archival newspaper clippings and court documents to tell true stories.

"One-Room Schools"

Highlighted rural education practices and the architecture of early Michigan schoolhouses.

Included desks, slates, ink wells, and historic photos of students and teachers.

"Tying the Knot"

A look at historical marriage customs, wedding attire, and traditions.

Displayed vintage wedding dresses, invitations, and love letters.

"Sewing Arts"

Celebrated the craftsmanship of quilting, embroidery, and sewing.

Exhibited handmade textiles, tools, and sewing machines from the 19th and 20th centuries.

Each exhibit incorporates a mix of original artifacts, replica materials, written interpretation, and multimedia presentations, designed to engage both casual visitors and serious history enthusiasts.

Community Engagement and Programs

The Museum on Main Street plays an important educational role in the community through outreach programs, seasonal events, and collaborative activities. Some of the ways the museum engages with the public include:

1. Volunteer Programs

Community members assist with gardening, exhibit assembly, archival processing, and museum tours.

Offers retired residents, students, and hobbyists a chance to connect with local heritage.

2. Guided Tours and Educational Visits

School groups, senior centers, and scout troops often visit for thematic tours.

The museum works with local educators to tailor experiences for students learning Michigan history or civic identity.

3. Lecture Series and Storytelling Events

Hosts regular talks by historians, authors, and university scholars.

Topics range from Civil War letters to Prohibition-era Ann Arbor.

4. Historic Garden and Outdoor Events

The museum features a heritage garden, maintained by volunteers, especially Master Gardener Lillie Ferguson.

Seasonal events like spring garden parties and holiday open houses create a welcoming community atmosphere.

Museum Resources and Archives

Though compact, the Museum on Main Street is also an entry point to the larger collections of the WCHS, which include:

Photographs dating back to the 1850s

Genealogical records

Business and political correspondence

Maps and plat books

Personal diaries and local newspapers

These archives are accessible for researchers by appointment and support publications and documentaries on regional history.

Visitor Information

Location: 500 N. Main Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104

Admission: Free, with donations welcomed

Hours: Typically open Saturdays and Sundays from 12 PM to 4 PM, with special hours for events

Parking: On-site and street parking available

Accessibility: The museum is wheelchair-accessible and offers accommodations for visitors with mobility needs

Conclusion

The Washtenaw County Historical Society’s Museum on Main Street is a cultural and educational gem in Ann Arbor. It serves as a guardian of local history, preserving stories that might otherwise fade with time. Its exhibits are rich with personal and community narratives that paint a vivid picture of everyday life in Washtenaw County over the last two centuries. Housed in a historic home and run with deep community involvement, the museum is a model of local heritage preservation—both intimate and informative.