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Van Andel Museum Center

The Museum comprises three separate sites, two of which are open to the public. These properties are

* Van Andel Museum Center – open to the general public
* Voigt House Victorian Museum – open to the general public
* Community Archives and Research Center (CARC)

Yet another site under the jurisdiction of the Public Museum is the Norton Mounds National Historic Landmark, a group of 3,000 year-old Hopewell Indian burial mounds located next to the Grand River several miles downstream from the Van Andel Museum Center.

The Van Andel Museum Center is the principal public facility of the Public Museum. The Van Andel Museum Center, which opened in November 1994, is an education/entertainment center and West Michigan’s premier heritage museum facility. The building is named in honor of its Capital Campaign Chairman, Jay Van Andel, who together with his wife Betty contributed $3,000,000 to the campaign. In an overwhelming indication of support for the Museum, over 22,000 individuals contributed to help fund the construction, and their names are listed on the exterior pillars at the main entrance.

Van Andel Museum Center has 80,000 square feet of permanent exhibits space and is capable of hosting major traveling exhibitions each year in a 9,500 square foot changing exhibit gallery.

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Average vote based on 3 reviews.

User Reviews

Almost great I visited this museum over the weekend and had a great time. However, some of their "Collection A-Z" exhibits seemed cheaply made or quickly designed (T is for Toys, J is for Japan) while others were well thought out and designed (F is for Fossils, I is for Ivory). by juliusmarx on Wed, 10/01/2008 - 23:46

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Great Institution This is a must-visit museum if you're in West Michigan. It's one of the oldest museums in the country and has the collection to prove it. The museum features 3 floors of exhibits, a cafe, planetarium, theater organ shows, and a historical house (Voigt House)! by nkemler on Thu, 05/08/2008 - 15:35

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Fun for everyone! The Grand Rapids Public Museum is hands down the best in town - I love that the whale is an iconic focal point in the main gallery. Streets of old Grand Rapids was so cute, so many family activities and little alcoves for discovery. The family membership makes it so affordable and convenient to visit every few months. I especially enjoy the changing exhibit gallery on the third floor - the National Geographic exhibit even helped me brush up on my geography skills in a fun way! This is one Museum I will continue to go back to! by jbuist on Tue, 02/19/2008 - 16:20