Muskegon Heritage Museum

Visitors are drawn to Muskegon as a tranquil vacation spot on stunning Lake Michigan. But Muskegon is more than a tourist destination. Our town has a rich economic, industrial and social history – and you can learn all about it at the Muskegon Heritage Museum.

The museum is quite expansive, with 12,000 square feet of display space on three floors.

Exhibits, artifacts and photographs weave the story of Muskegon's industries, products and businesses.

One of the museum's featured relics is a working Corliss Valve Steam Engine built in 1893, with a line shaft that runs 11 machine tools. Check out some of the Made in Muskegon products, like the Brunswick pinsetter, the first Raggedy Ann dolls, and the precursor to the snowboard, the Snurfer. In total there are 80 regional companies represented in the exhibits.

Did you know that Muskegon was one of only two places in the country that bottled Guinness beer? Learn about that and more when you explore Muskegon's brewing history. Discover the region's impressive lumbering industry, once home to 46 sawmills. Or learn more about the importance Lake Michigan and Muskegon Lake have played in Muskegon's commercial and recreational fishing and boating economies.

First established in 1983, the museum has undergone a transformation through the years. So if it's been a while since you've visited, it's worth another stop. Displays and exhibit space have been expanded, a classroom was added for workshops and presentations, and an elevator was installed to access all three renovated floors of the museum. Recently, the museum merged with Lakeshore Museum Center, which comprises multiple natural and cultural historic sites and buildings. There's always something new to see and learn at the Muskegon Heritage Museum, open seasonally from May to October. 

Muskegon Heritage Museum
561 W. Western Ave.
Muskegon, MI 49440
231-722-1363

“Study the past if you would define the future.” ― Confucius