GRPM Collections
The GRPM boasts one of Michigan’s largest collections of historical and cultural artifacts and scientific specimens that tell the stories of West Michigan and the wider world. With the size of the GRPM Collections, only approximately 5% can be on display for the public at a time, and approximately 95% are stored at the Community Archives and Research Center. You can view many of these objects on the GRPM’s online database. More are added every day.
Discover
Culture.
Experience
History.
Encounter
Science.
Research
The GRPM strives to make its Collections as accessible as possible to all. GRPM curators work with researchers from all over the world assisting with queries related to history, science and culture.
FAQ
Before submitting your donation or research request for review, check out our frequently asked questions to ensure our curators can swiftly consider and respond.​
Donate
The GRPM’s Collections are always growing. If you have items that you think the Museum might be interested in, contact us and learn how to donate items to the Museum and help preserve the community’s history.
Community Archives and Research Center
The Community Archives and Research Center is a research and storage facility which houses the Collections of the Grand Rapids Public Museum as well as the Grand Rapids City Archives and Record Center and many Kent County records. The CARC is located at 223 Washington Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Getting There
The Rapid, Grand Rapid’s broad bus transit system, connects downtown to locations like East Grand Rapids, Grandville, Kentwood, Wyoming, Walker, and even the Gerald R. Ford International Airport.
For more on The Rapid, visit ridetherapid.org or download the myStop or Transit app from your app store.
Remember: Both The Rapid and DASH are committed to accessibility, catering to wheelchairs, scooters, and service animals.
Collections Donors Fiscal Year 2024
- Lawrence Bell
- Gina Bivins
- City of Grand Rapids, Office of the City Clerk
- Jannan Cotto
- Steven Crabbs
- Sam Cummings
- David DeBruyn
- Roger DeHaan
- Dime and Regal
- Meghan Disselkoen
- David Doss
- Downtown Grand Rapids, Inc.
- Alice Feret
- Alex Forist
- Grand Rapids Public Library
- Great Lakes Granite Works
- Joy and John Hagen
- Barbara and James Haveman
- In Honor of Kent County Medical Society
- Jake Patin in Memory of Mary Miller
- Johannah Jelks
- Amy Jonas
- Kalamazoo Valley Museum
- Andrea Kidney in Memory of Albert. R Kidney
- Bryan Konieczka
- Mark Korodan
- Patrick Laurie
- Kelsey Laymon
- Dennis Leiber
- Hwaja Lettinja
- Susan Logie
- Manitowoc County Historical Society
- Laura McBeth
- Steve and Mary Nagengast
- Robert Nancarrow
- Christine Olson
- Rick Overway
- Abraham Parsons
- Max Pigeon
- Cindy Porter Janes
- Nan Riley
- Jim Rosin
- Sandra Sammons Hertstein
- Barbara Nan Schichtel
- Phillip G. Schneider
- Kathryn A. Stackhouse
- Steelcase, Incorporated
- The Wildlife Gallery
- Dee Tokarski
- Kreigh Tomaszewski
- University Club of Grand Rapids
- Amy Van Andel
- Holly Waldenmeyer
- Susan Wege
- Cody Wiedenbein
- Dylan Wilmeth
- David Wiltse
- Karl and Kathy Wiltse
- David Winick
