Michigan History Center
Michigan History Center
4.5
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
About
The Michigan History Center fosters curiosity, enjoyment and inspiration rooted in Michigan's stories. Home to both the Archives of Michigan and the Michigan History Museum, the Michigan History Center offers experiences for visitors of all ages and interests. There is no admission charge for the museum on Sundays. There is no admission charge for the Archives of Michigan. The Archives are open 1:00 - 5:00 pm Monday-Friday, and 10:00 am - 4:00 pm on Saturday.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
225 reviews
Excellent
154
Very good
62
Average
6
Poor
3
Terrible
0
momma_of_kitties
Midland, MI158 contributions
Jul 2014 • Couples
They are doing some renovations in the place right now, but you can still see most of the museum. If you have one of the Michigan park passes on your car, you get a discounted admission of only $4 per person instead of $6. This has a very nice history of Michigan over 3 floors and has been updated since my last visit there as a child in the early 1990s.
Written July 10, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cork1959
Scotts, MI47 contributions
May 2014 • Solo
A three-story museum at a minimal cost ($6 adult). One receives such a diverse exposure to Michigan, which includes music, autos, labor unions, civil rights, lumber, mining, wars, homes, rural life, exploration and settlement, schools, trade, etc. Many of the exhibits are not contained, which means one can enjoy being "up close and personal." Docents are available for any questions.
Written May 31, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Earle M
Parma, MI8 contributions
Apart from the spectacular Straits Bridge,enjoy unrivaled wildlife and natural beauties in its 700-mile stretch from the shores of Lake Erie and borders with Lakes Huron, Michigan and Superior to the Porkies.
Written March 4, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bill L
Buffalo, NY276 contributions
Aug 2019
One of the best state history museums in the nation. Michigan's history is covered in a well designed three stories of interesting exhibits with relics of the past well displayed. two blocks from the beautiful capitol building.
Written August 23, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Geoffrey E
St. Catharines, Canada619 contributions
Feb 2018 • Friends
This gives an overview of Michigan from the ice age to the recent past. The initial room on Aboriginal history is very well done. I would have liked more on the auto sector. Be careful of the parking - the gate didn't work for us and so we were quite delayed getting out.
Written February 13, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sheryl C
Mackinaw City, Michigan, United States70 contributions
Mar 2014 • Friends
The standards are high in this museum. It is a beautiful building. The state library is on one side, the state museum on the other side. It was built with great care and is visitor friendly. Peaceful atmosphere. Very informative.
Written December 18, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ronald E
Lansing, Michigan, United States29 contributions
Mar 2014 • Couples
I visited several times during winter months to use Michigan Archives for genealogical research. Very friendly and helpful staff, nice room for research, access to many on-line sources.
Written September 29, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MCLansing
Lansing, MI8 contributions
Oct 2013 • Friends
Friendly staff, great displays. Liked the through the decades display. It was fun to see things and reminisce1
Written September 5, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert S
Florence, KY107 contributions
Jul 2014 • Couples
I was impressed at how abundant Michigan is in lumber, minerals, mining, shipping and manufacturing. I was also impressed with how much Michigan contributed to manufacturing aircraft and military equipment during WW II. There were easy to understand displays of early settlement, geology, weather and animals too. There is a lot to see.
Written August 28, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rose S
Ferndale, MI88 contributions
Jul 2013 • Friends
Whether you are learning about the history of the State, just curious or exploring in Lansing, this is place tells you all about Michigan's wonderland.
Know going in that there is a lot to absorb and it is all totally worth it. Do not rush your visit. There is a cost for all age groups while Sundays are free. Call for hours. Lot parking is available and there is a charge so have singles. There is a dollar bill changer on the 1st floor.
There are three floors and two mezzanines. Explore them all.
The second floor Mezzanine is great for kids as it has a one room schoolhouse, which really were still operating in Michigan until 1965. Of course, Amish schoolhouses are still one room and have about 3-4 teachers.
The second floor feature George Sidman's Congressional Medal of Honor, the sword of Guv Lewis Cass and other important artifacts. What's really unique about this floor is that it shows the various road and early highway styles of Michigan, according to the very knowledgeable guard. The road is plank and then becomes an uneven paved road.
Showcased are Michigan's first inhabitants, brave souls and gifts/medallions that were given to them. The fascinating Civil War display which also portrays women spies. Of course, you'll see the letter thanking Michigan for its pivotal role in the Civil War, particularly at Gettysburg. There's a Territorial Church and the Woodward Diorama.
On the 1st floor is a topographical map which arches up to the second floor. Pieces of gypsum, limestone, coal and oil are on view and can be touched.
The State tree, White Pine, is in the center of the building surrounded by glass. It's really an awesome architectural marvel. Our state was decimated by the lumber barons and the climate changed from that of a rain forest to what it is today.
There is also a special exhibit gallery which frequently changes.
On the Third Floor there are era rooms depicting the 1920s and a speakeasy, the Great Depression, railroad depot, WPA mural, Battle of the overpass bloody shirt, and the original Pearl Harbor Newspaper.
There's also a State Archives -- I didn't have time to explore it though. There's stairs and elevators.
If you get hungry there is a dining area and also a pop machine.
Of course, who can pass up a gift store, which has quite unique items like the UP and "D" key chains, necklaces in walnuts, State stuff and more. This store has the largest on-site collection of books for sale about Michigan in all categories.
Take time to see this. It's a fun way to learn. Oh, did I mention that it is just 2 blocks from the Capitol?
Know going in that there is a lot to absorb and it is all totally worth it. Do not rush your visit. There is a cost for all age groups while Sundays are free. Call for hours. Lot parking is available and there is a charge so have singles. There is a dollar bill changer on the 1st floor.
There are three floors and two mezzanines. Explore them all.
The second floor Mezzanine is great for kids as it has a one room schoolhouse, which really were still operating in Michigan until 1965. Of course, Amish schoolhouses are still one room and have about 3-4 teachers.
The second floor feature George Sidman's Congressional Medal of Honor, the sword of Guv Lewis Cass and other important artifacts. What's really unique about this floor is that it shows the various road and early highway styles of Michigan, according to the very knowledgeable guard. The road is plank and then becomes an uneven paved road.
Showcased are Michigan's first inhabitants, brave souls and gifts/medallions that were given to them. The fascinating Civil War display which also portrays women spies. Of course, you'll see the letter thanking Michigan for its pivotal role in the Civil War, particularly at Gettysburg. There's a Territorial Church and the Woodward Diorama.
On the 1st floor is a topographical map which arches up to the second floor. Pieces of gypsum, limestone, coal and oil are on view and can be touched.
The State tree, White Pine, is in the center of the building surrounded by glass. It's really an awesome architectural marvel. Our state was decimated by the lumber barons and the climate changed from that of a rain forest to what it is today.
There is also a special exhibit gallery which frequently changes.
On the Third Floor there are era rooms depicting the 1920s and a speakeasy, the Great Depression, railroad depot, WPA mural, Battle of the overpass bloody shirt, and the original Pearl Harbor Newspaper.
There's also a State Archives -- I didn't have time to explore it though. There's stairs and elevators.
If you get hungry there is a dining area and also a pop machine.
Of course, who can pass up a gift store, which has quite unique items like the UP and "D" key chains, necklaces in walnuts, State stuff and more. This store has the largest on-site collection of books for sale about Michigan in all categories.
Take time to see this. It's a fun way to learn. Oh, did I mention that it is just 2 blocks from the Capitol?
Written July 6, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I have two questions,
1) is there anywhere to eat inside the museum? thinking about a day trip here and would rather not have to go back and forth between the museum and food (plus I'm sure like any museum we're not allowed to bring food in from outside)
2) does the museum have exhibits or areas discussing the state government system and its history? I'm planning to attend to learn more for a project and I'd hate to spend time looking for a topic that is not discussed or available in the museum
thank you!
Written July 25, 2019
Michigan History Center
Lansing, Michigan
So sorry this question slipped by us! Thank you to those who answered - you provided excellent information! #1: There is an outside vendor who operates a cafe in the building, but hours and days can vary. Generally, they are open 8am-2pm on weekdays during the school year, but close up for the summer beginning in early June. You are more than welcome to bring outside food into the building and eat it in the cafeteria space - we just don't allow food or drink to be brought past the admissions desk into the gallery areas. #2 The other answers are spot-on: there is nowhere in our museum where State Government history is broadly discussed, but the Hall of Justice and the Capitol Building should both be able to help you with this topic and are excellent places to visit!
Written October 14, 2019
Michigan History Center
Lansing, Michigan
Yes! The Michigan History Center Visitor Lot is right outside the building on the Kalamazoo St. side (south side of the building). You can enter the lot via Kalamazoo St. The cost for parking in the lot is $1/hour with a maximum of $8/day. Parking in the Visitor Lot is free on Saturdays and Sundays. There are also numerous metered spots along Kalamazoo St. with a variety of time limits.
Written June 20, 2019
Michigan History Center
Lansing, Michigan
So sorry for the delayed response! Yes, our entire building (including non-museum spaces like the Library of Michigan, Archives of Michigan, public meeting rooms and restrooms) is accessible and all of our exhibits can be reached by elevator. Please feel free to contact us at 517-335-2573 with any further questions you may have about the building!
Written October 18, 2018
Please call: 517-373-1359 with further questions.
Written February 9, 2016
Is there a good lunch time restaurant there or near by?
Written February 4, 2015
If you go downtown there are several restaurants and smaller places to eat. You can park and walk to any of them. The museum is not far at all from downtown. Its also quite close to the Capital. Its actually an interesting drive.
Written February 6, 2015
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