Learning is lifelong!
At its core, the Tri-Cities Historical Museum is an educational institution, offering programs that creatively engage the community– from kids, to youth, to senior citizens- in understanding, engaging with, and using local history. From student groups to summertime tourists we connect all ages to local history with unique program offerings that build from our collection.
Schedule Your School Tour or Program
Please schedule school tours at least two weeks in advance. We ask that one adult accompany each eight students visiting the Museum. To schedule a school tour, contact epaulin@tchmuseum.org or call (616) 842-0700 x 132.
In cases of inclement weather, please refer to school closing information. If Grand Haven Public Schools are closed, the Tri-Cities Historical Museum is automatically closed and any scheduled school tours are canceled.
Unidentified students of all eight grades of the Nunica School (Nunica, Michigan) with their teachers in front of the school.
Museum Tours
Visit the Tri-Cities Historical Museum and travel through time with our local history exhibits! Exhibit themes are: Native Americans, Fur Trade, Pioneering, Lumbering, Farming, Victorian Era, Local Historic Stores, Coast Guard and more! All scheduled tours are customizable to fit the needs of our visitors and are set to meet state guidelines for Social Studies.
Choose (free!) add-on activities like Exhibit Guides, Exhibit Stations, scavenger hunts, historic downtown walking adventure, or hands-on materials!
CARC Tours
Visit our Community Archive & Research Center and explore our collection of 70,000+ artifacts. Tours are educational experiences and can include primary/secondary source activities with true museum artifacts. Visitors will gain a basic understanding of how the Museum protects, preserves and studies history.
Long Ago...
A 5-week series of lessons that meet once a week at a time that is convenient for the classroom, or pick individual lessons. Each history lesson will compare present day with what various aspects of life were like around 100 years ago. Lessons typically last 45-60 minutes. 'Long Ago...' lessons available: In a School, In a Store, In a Home, Inventions, and Old-Fashioned Games & Toys. Complete this program with a field trip to the Museum!
Field trip is recommended, but optional.
History on the Go
A 5-week series of lessons that meet once a week at a time that is convenient for the classroom, or pick individual lessons. Each lesson typically lasts between 45-60 minutes. ‘History on the Go’ lessons available: Native American, Fur Trade, Pioneering, Lumbering, and Victorian Era. Complete this program with a field trip to the Museum!
Field trip is recommended, but optional.
Classroom Curators
Students and teachers will collaborate with Museum staff to research, create, and install an exhibit for the community to see at TCHM! Participating classes will choose a topic in any subject, visit the Museum space, research content, write text panels, and create displays, interactives, and take-aways for their exhibit.
Classroom Curators is an intensive program.
Currently, we are limiting the Classroom Curators program to one class per year.
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History Helpers
This is a brand new program that we invite classes to be a part of in its prototyping phase! ‘History Helpers’ is a program that prompts students to work collaboratively in STEAM concepts through the lens of history.
Community Programs
See upcoming community programs, explore digital and at-home programs, and learn more about walking tours.
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.
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.
Available Topics
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Lost Grand Haven
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The Great Bank Robbery of 1933
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*Lumbering in West Michigan
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*Scandal & Shine - Prohibition in West Michigan
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Legends on the Great Lakes
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West Michigan Ship Disasters
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Tri-Cities Shipwrecks
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History of Bennett’s Hollow
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Finding Hezekiah
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Grand Haven’s Musical Fountain
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Weddings in Tri-Cities History
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West Michigan Hauntings & Legends
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Lost Grand Haven
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Spring Lake Resorts
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150+ Years of Akeley
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*Holiday Toys from our Past
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Prohibition, Murder, and the Ghost of Kate Koopman
* 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!
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Long Ago... In A School
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Long Ago... In A Home
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Long Ago... In A Store
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Long Ago... Technology & Inventions
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Old Fashioned Games - contains several games for kids to play that were popular over 100 years ago!
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Fur Trade - see objects available in a Fur Trade post and learn about the importance of the Fur Trade to our state
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Lumbering - learn about the jobs and tools that were part of the Lumber Era in Michigan
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Michigan Furs - handle the furs of Michigan animals ranging from a white ermine to a black bear!
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Native American - interact with artifacts and pictures to learn the history and culture of the People of the Three Fires
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Pioneering - learn about the life and work that occurred inside a pioneer cabin
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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.
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.
Virtual Programs
The Tri-Cities Historical Museum is pleased to offer pre-recorded virtual programs for visitors to enjoy from the comfort of your own home. These videos are uploaded on the Museum's YouTube Channel and are also accessible here on our website.
School Programs
Extended Summer Hours
(Memorial Day to Labor Day)
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Tuesday:
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Sunday:
closed
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Come on in...
Admission is free!
Regular Hours
(Labor Day to Memorial Day)
Monday:
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Thursday:
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Saturday:
Sunday:
closed
10-5
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10-5
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