Museum Will ‘Dive’ Into Local Maritime History…with Two Reimagined Spaces
10/7/24, 4:00 PM
TCHM is moving forward on a plan to renovate the prominent front window space of the Akeley Building, followed by a renovation of the ‘Barn’ exhibit. These two reimagined spaces will dive into local and regional maritime history, helping visitors understand how the Tri-Cities fit into and have been influenced by the water that surrounds us.
The plan will relocate the 10’-high ‘Michigan Geology’ exhibit that currently takes up the entire front window real estate to a nearby wall, freeing floor space to become a bright, inviting area and build a maritime-themed exploration space featuring a red lighthouse, pier, and fog house, mirroring these iconic waterfront structures of Grand Haven. This Maritime Exploration space will engage toddlers through (about) six-year-olds, who learn through experiencing the world with both their bodies and brains; even the littlest learners will be able to come into the Museum and engage in history at their level.
In the updated ‘Barn’ exhibit, a giant map will show regional waterways and provide a timeline of important events in the settlement, development, and decline of the region. It will feature a digital touch screen panel where learners can explore the shipwrecks and passenger steamship lines of the Great Lakes, which in their time both benefited the Tri-Cities with commerce and innovation and challenged the Tri-Cities with tragic losses of life and property.
The momentum has already kicked off for TCHM with the award of a $20,000 competitive grant from the Dick and Betsy De Vos Family Fund, as well as a successful fundraising event in October, Tri-Cities Treasures...bringing the Museum’s Exhibits Fund to $37,464 and a step closer to its $150,000 goal. Community members can support the project by donating to the Museum's Exhibits Fund, and businesses/community organizations can become members of the Museum's Curator's Club, providing support for this and other needed exhibit updates.
