Michigan History Center

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

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.

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.

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!

Happy Labor Day! Are you making the five-mile trek across the Mighty Mac today? One of Michigan’s beloved traditions, the Mackinac Bridge Labor Day Walk, actually began in June of 1958 to celebrate the official dedication of the bridge. Due to its popularity, the event was brought back the following year but moved to Labor Day to help encourage late summer tourism.

From the Michigan History Museum Collection: two embroidered patches (one from 1984, the other 1988) that commemorated the annual event.

We hope everyone has a safe holiday!

Calling all homeschool families! Our fall program is all about the history of mining for copper and iron in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Join us on Tuesday, Oct. 6, or Wednesday, Oct. 7, from 1:30-3 p.m. at the Michigan History Museum. Enjoy hands-on history with interactive activities geared towards grades K-5. This program is specially designed to be engaging and educational across a wide age range.

Each program costs $5 per student aged 3 and up. One adult per family group is free to attend. Registration is required. More information, including registration links, can be found on our 'field trip' page under the homeschool programs tab: https://www.michigan.gov/mhc/museums/mhm/school-programs/

Heads up! The Michigan History Museum (Lansing) and the Michigan Iron Industry Museum (Negaunee) will be closed from Saturday, September 5, through Monday, September 7, in observance of Labor Day. We hope everyone has a safe holiday weekend!

LAST DAY to register for the 2026 Underground Railroad Heritage Gathering on Saturday, September 12! The Michigan History Center and Michigan Freedom Trail Commission's annual gathering is on the road again - join us at Kellogg Community College in Battle Creek.

With the theme of "Battle Creek and Beyond", the all-day event will feature presentations about the prominent Underground Railroad network in Battle Creek, as well as stories of freedom seekers, rescues and liberation. From 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., participants will have plenty of opportunities for learning and networking. Visit our website to learn more about the presentation topics!

Registration is required and costs $15. Lunch will be provided. Register before it's too late at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-heritage-gathering-tickets-1993866263668?aff=oddtdtcreator&fbclid=IwY2xjawT8G6FwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMVF2OUhaUllOcXJwejIxVFdzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeV5DFf4eDh7uwvcWtwWMsMRDUjwVEhStHuthDjXdW90GDTIRgXTA_lJegKLg_aem_RucbeT-4ubfcjeCizxUk9Q.

Are you interested in becoming a part of a dazzling group that helps share the stories of Michigan's rich past? Become a volunteer docent at the Michigan History Museum! Our volunteer docents enhance the visitor experience by sharing their love of history.

We are hosting a Volunteer Informational Meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 9, at 1 p.m. here at the museum. This meeting will allow you to ask our volunteer coordinators questions and learn more about the opportunities we have. If you are interested in joining after the meeting, you can register for the New Docent Training on Tuesday, Sept. 29, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information, please visit our website at https://www.michigan.gov/mhc/about/volunteer.

Save the date! Michigan Archaeology Day returns to the Michigan History Center on Saturday, October 24, 2026. This exciting annual event is your chance to talk with archaeologists about investigations and artifacts that tell the story of 14,000 years of Michigan history!

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., archaeologists and experts in related fields will be stationed throughout the first and second floors of the museum where they will tell you about their research, show you some artifacts they have found and answer your questions. Plus, there will be many hands-on activities. More itinerary details to come on October 1!

This all-ages annual event is free, and parking is too.

This event is sponsored by the Michigan History Center-DNR and is hosted in partnership with the Michigan State Historic Preservation Office and Colonial Michilimackinac.