KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Finding your story through local history is the root of the Kalamazoo Valley Museum’s mission.
“We take time to curate and select the objects that you see around here at the museum, trying to highlight everyone’s story,” Bill McElhone, director of the Kalamazoo Valley Museum, said
From Gibson guitars and the Checker Cab to Stryker and pharmaceuticals, the free museum in downtown Kalamazoo allows visitors to explore the diverse industries that built the region’s economy.
The Checker Cab was produced on a Kalamazoo assembly line from the 1920s through the early 1980s. It’s represents a piece of the region’s diverse economy over the years. (Haenni/WWMT)
“We focus in on local history, certainly history of Southwest Michigan, and science and technology.” McElhone said. “We have it all. We’re just a great stop here in Kalamazoo.”
The museum offers great hands-on learning for children and adults alike, as McElhone says they try to move away from the “static museum experience.”
“We really want to make sure, wherever we can, there’s always engaging in exploration of science here,” McElhone said.
Science and local history aren’t the only focus at the museum. Visitors can come face to face with a mummy more than 2,000 years old, or tour the universe through immersive planetarium shows.
With select showings on Friday, Saturday and Sundays, the planetarium at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum offers an immersive learning experience. Tickets are $3 per person, with children 2 and under free. (Haenni/WWMT)
While the museum features several standout permanent exhibits, nationally touring displays also frequent the museum’s galleries.
One visiting exhibit through late April, titled “Shape Shifting,” showcases the evolution and artistry of guitar design through 40 unique instruments.
Another exhibit visiting the museum through late July, the “Black Cowboys,” allows visitors to examine the untold stories Black men, women and children in the pre-civil war American West.
“Black Cowboys: An American Story” is a touring exhibit which will be at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum through July 26, 2026. The exhibit takes a look at the forgotten and untold history of black men, women and children in the American West both before and after the Civil War.{ }
The museum also features a Children’s Landscape, which offers an interactive play area for children ages 0-5 during select hours, and an Innovation Lab, which offers weekly activities that explore art making, experimenting, engineering and the cultural heritage of Kalamazoo.
“We don’t require registration for our programs,” Stephanie Willoughby, program coordinator at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum, said. “So we have a lot of times where we have families plan to come down, they’re traveling for the day, want to spend the day with us, but we also have families that just sort of drop in and are so surprised that not only can they get in for free, but there’s all kinds of free activities for their kids.”
From March 31 through April 3, the museum will offer daily programming during spring break — all for free.
The Mystery of the Mummy exhibit at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum walks through some ancient Egyptian history through the eyes of a more than 2,000 year old mummy. (Haenni/WWMT){ }
“I love that when you get the whole family, whatever ages or makeup of the family, that they’re all working together having fun,” Willoughby said.
Kalamazoo Valley Museum will celebrate its 100th year in 2027. Backed by Kalamazoo Valley Community College since 1991, its impact in the community will continue.
“We are actively trying to make sure that everyone feels represented at the museum,” McElhone said.
The exterior of the Kalamazoo Valley Museum, located at 230 N. Rose St. in downtown Kalamazoo. In 2027, the museum will celebrate its 100th year. (Haenni/WWMT)
The Kalamazoo Valley Museum is located at 230 N. Rose St. in downtown Kalamazoo. It’s open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday from 12 to 4 p.m., and is closed on Mondays. Admission is free.