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COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

Upcoming Community Programs

  • Hoisting the Sails of our Heritage
    Hoisting the Sails of our Heritage
    Sat, May 04
    Grand Haven
    Hoisting the Sails of our Heritage
    May 04, 2024, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
    Grand Haven, 200 Washington Ave, Grand Haven, MI 49417, USA
    This is the second program in our Storytellers: Our Great Lakes Musical Heritage series. Join us at the Museum on Saturday, May 4th at 1pm! Donn Werling of Sweetwater Journey will be the chantey man and you will be invited to be the crew for the choruses of 18th to 21st century Great Lakes music.
    Buy Tickets

Digital Programs

We have created several PowerPoint presentations for use by classrooms, senior homes, and other community groups. These programs can be scheduled and presented by Museum staff or docents. A computer loaded with Microsoft Office and a projector are required.

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If you're interested in having a Museum docent or staff member present on one of these topics, please contact Ellen Paulin at epaulin@tchmuseum.org or call (616) 842-0700 x 132.

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Available Topics:​

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  • Lost Grand Haven

  • The Great Bank Robbery of 1933

  • *Lumbering in West Michigan

  • *Scandal & Shine - Prohibition in West Michigan

  • Legends on the Great Lakes

  • West Michigan Ship Disasters

  • Tri-Cities Shipwrecks

  • History of Bennett’s Hollow

  • Finding Hezekiah

  • Grand Haven’s Musical Fountain

  • Weddings in Tri-Cities History

  • West Michigan Hauntings & Legends

  • Lost Grand Haven

  • Spring Lake Resorts

  • 150+ Years of Akeley

  • *Holiday Toys from our Past

  • Prohibition, Murder, and the Ghost of Kate Koopman

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* Includes hands-on items

Traveling Museum Kits

Traveling Museum Kits can be checked out by teachers and/or groups for use. Each kit comes fully equipped for classroom use; complete with hands-on artifacts, historical images, and a presentation for teachers to use. These kits can also be scheduled to be presented as outreach programs given by Museum staff or docents. Presentations are suitable for students, senior citizens, and other community groups. Free!

  • ​​Long Ago... In A School

  • Long Ago... In A Home

  • Long Ago... In A Store

  • Long Ago... Technology & Inventions

  • Old Fashioned Games - contains several games for kids to play that were popular over 100 years ago! 

  • Fur Trade -see objects available in a Fur Trade post and learn about the importance of the Fur Trade to our state

  • Lumbering - learn about the jobs and tools that were part of the Lumber Era in Michigan

  • Michigan Furs - handle the furs of Michigan animals ranging from a white ermine to a black bear!

  • Native American - interact with artifacts and pictures to learn the history and culture of the People of the Three Fires

  • Pioneering - learn about the life and work that occurred inside a pioneer cabin

  • Victorian Era- learn about the culture, inventions, customs and leaders of the time of history named for Queen Victoria

Walking Tours and Special Tours

We offer a variety of seasonal community tours throughout the year. Visit our Events page beginning in March each year for the upcoming schedule. 

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Downtown Walking Tour

Take this hour-long tour to gain a deeper understanding of the people and businesses that shaped Grand Haven. Starts at the former train depot on Harbor Ave. and culminates at Central Park. Offered monthly June-August.

 

Downtown to Center Town Walking Tour

This new tour will focus on the significant buildings and history found along Washington Avenue between Harbor Blvd. and 7th Street.  Guests will need to be able to walk (some of the route is uphill) and stand for the length of the tour, approximately 2 - 2.5 hours.  The tour is free but reservations are required. Offered periodically June-August.

 

Cemetery Tours

Join us for a walking tour of Grand Haven's Lake Forest Cemetery. Guests will need to be able to walk and stand for the length of the tour, approximately 3 hours. Tour is free but reservations are required. Offered periodically June-August.

 

Historic Tavern Tour

Join the Tri-Cities Historical Museum and the Loutit District Library for a walking tour that explores the drinking culture of Grand Haven's past and present- including pubs of the past, drinking dames, a bear in a bar, and two short pours from current establishments to refresh us during the course of the tour! $5 (subject to change), 21+, must have valid ID. Participants must register through Loutit District Library and submit a waiver with allergy and emergency contact information. Offered periodically June-August.

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