Museums
View Map of Museums
View our map of museums in Ann Arbor
African American Cultural & Historical Museum of Washtenaw County
(734) 761-1717
1528 Pontiac Tr.
The AACHM offers educational programs, exhibits, and Underground Railroad bus tours and talks. Sat. & Sun noon–4 p.m. aachmuseum@att.net, aachm.org
Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum
(734) 995-5439
220 E. Ann
Offering more than 250 interactive exhibits, the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum attracts nearly 300,000 visitors annually and works to inspire curiosity, exploration, and respect for STEM and the natural world. The museum and Leslie Science & Nature also Center offer learning, nature, and outreach programming for schools and libraries statewide and around the world. Check website for current hours. museum@aahom.org, aahom.org
Argus Museum
(734) 769-0770
525 W. William (Argus Building)
Features products manufactured by the Argus Camera Company and showcases unique collections. Housed in the Argus I Building, one of the company’s manufacturing facilities, the Argus Museum hosts photography exhibitions, group tours and meetings, and an international fall conference. Hours: Mon.–Fri. 8 a.m.–5 p.m.; also open for special events or by appointment. Free, but donations appreciated. Volunteers welcome. https://argusmuseum.wordpress.com
Cobblestone Farm Museum
(734) 794-7120
2781 Packard
This city-owned historic farm re-creates mid-19th-century rural life with living history days and a barnyard with a small collection of farm animals. Farmhouse museum admission: adults $2, families (up to 5) $5, ages 3–17 and seniors 60 & over $1. Museum open by appointment year-round and Thurs. 10-11 a.m. (call ahead to check). Drop-in tours available most Tues. 4–6 p.m. cfinfo@a2gov.org, a2gov.org/cobblestone
Kempf House Museum
(734) 994-4898
312 S. Division
This 1853 Greek Revival house, listed in the National Registry of Historic Places, was home to the German-American Kempf family from 1888 to 1953. Now managed by a volunteer nonprofit board, it is furnished with Victorian antiques and many of the Kempfs’ treasures, including Ann Arbor’s first concert grand piano, an 1877 Steinway. When the coronavirus is no longer a threat, the museum will return to presenting exhibits of period domestic life, a traditional German family Christmas, Valentine teas, and a Wednesday noon lecture series in both spring and fall. There are currently guided tours by appointment with some Covid restrictions.
kempfhousemuseum@gmail.com, kempfhousemuseum.org. For event updates, you can also follow “Kempf House Museum” on Facebook.
Michigan Firehouse Museum
(734) 547-0663
110 W. Cross, Ypsilanti
Includes a restored original 1898 firehouse on 2 levels plus a large, modern exhibit area on 3 levels featuring displays of antique fire rigs and fire trucks, fire extinguishers, equipment, tools, fire bells, and other memorabilia. Thurs.–Sun. noon–4 p.m., or by appointment. Adults (age 12 and over) $10, children 5–11 $5, children 4 and under free. Group tours and special events welcome. info@MichiganFirehouseMuseum.org, michiganfirehousemuseum.org
Museum on Main Street (Washtenaw County Historical Society)
(734) 662-9092
500 N. Main at corner of Beakes & E. Kingsley
Rotating exhibits in an historic house, featuring compelling stories of early Washtenaw County life. Sat. & Sun. noon–4 p.m. wchs-500@ameritech.net, washtenawhistory.org
Parker Mill
(734) 971-6337
4650 Geddes
County-owned restored 1873 gristmill with its original milling machinery. The surrounding 45-acre park also has one of the area’s few remaining log cabins. The mill is open for public tours on select Sundays in Sept. & Oct.; programs for school, civic, and community groups available by appointment May-Oct. Free. washtenaw.org/602/Parker-Mill-County-Park
U-M Detroit Observatory
(734) 764-3482
1398 E. Ann
Built in 1854, this historic observatory is the oldest research building on the University of Michigan campus. Visitors have the opportunity to observe the sky using historic telescopes, as well as attend lectures and events. Scheduled events are free and open to the public with advance registration. detroitobservatory.umich.edu
U-M Kelsey Museum of Archaeology
(734) 764-9304
434 S. State (public entrance on Maynard)
Houses a permanent collection of more than 100,000 Classical, Egyptian, and Middle Eastern artifacts. Highlights include textiles, glass, pottery, jewelry, sculpture, and artifacts of daily life. Tues.–Fri. 9 a.m.–4 p.m., Sat. & Sun. 1 p.m.–4 p.m. Closed Mon. and U-M holidays. kelseymuse@umich.edu, lsa.umich.edu/kelsey