lakeshore museum center

We missed the Lakeshore museum but toured their 4 historic sites. The Fire Barn (so named because it was built before fire trucks were used), is an interesting look at early firefighting. Kids of all ages will enjoy it. We also toured the house next door and the 2 Victorian mansions on the next street. All are worth the tours. Although probably not very interesting for children. We will be back to Muskegon next fall & will check out the Lakeshore Museum itself.

A free admission museum with all types of history about the about the Muskegon area. Highlighted are areas about the growth of the area, local industry, schools, politics, athletics, etc, etc. Well worth visiting, allow 60-90 minutes.

The Lakeshore Museum has so much to offer! We took a group of 9 youth to visit the exhibits and they enjoyed it! They especially loved the hands-on science and body exhibits. I would strongly encourage everyone to visit this hidden Muskegon gem!

Small museum in downtown Muskegon with a variety of exhibits, many of which are geared toward pre-teens. The exhibit on the history/development of the city of Muskegon was very interesting with information about the geographic, business, and cultural growth of the city. There was a small theater with some video choices but we couldn't get any to play, and some dioramas depicting events/periods in the history of the city with little phones for audio commentary, but only a few worked. Still, it was free, and certainly worth stopping by for an hour or 90 minutes. You probably won't enjoy all the exhibits, but it seems likely that you will find something interesting.

We were pleasantly surprised by this little gem in town!There was an interesting temporary exhibit about Charles Shulz and the Peanuts gang.Well done - especially for kids.There were approximately 10 videos to view (we had time only for 3) about the history of western Michigan - VERY well done!!

This review is only for the museum itself and not the restored homes and fire barn, which we unfortunately didn't have the time to tour. We stopped in at the museum as an afterthought on an overcast morning on our recent beach trip and we were very pleasantly surprised! Considering the free admission this is quite the find! It is very kid friendly with lots of hands-on opportunities (although we were an all grown-ups-it looked fun!). As out of state travelers we found all the Michigan back ground really interesting-literally from its formation on up to present times. And the traveling Peanuts exhibit was a fantastic bonus!

This museum is a rare find with so many great exhibits. Right away my two teenagers found a special display room with peanuts (charlie brown). They could have stayed there all day. There is so much there, it's interesting for kids as well as adults. Very entertaining and so much history to learn.

I was amazed at all you could do and see in just a few blocks. Wish we had given ourselves more time to see it all. Definitely plan to go back and see more. Give yourself a 1/2 day to take in this area.

This is the jewel of the museum as far as I'm concerned. Admission is free. This is a very good re-creation of the way life was for firemen in a firehouse during the period. There is a working firetruck from the early 1900's as well as many pieces of apparatus that were used during the period this station was working. There is also a re-creation of how they used horses to pull the fire wagons and how they were hitched up. There is also the hitching equipment that was used. If you have any interest in fire history or even if you don't you will really enjoy everything historical here. This is a free exhibit.

Took the kids here(although I'd go by myself). Lots of area and Michigan history, and changing exhibits. Nice gift shop for out of area and area guests with local artists and books. Staff is well knowledgable and friendly. Don't forget to visit the Hackley and Hume homes, re-decorated and furnished for the period of the lumber barons.

My kids enjoy going here it's a really nice escape from the summer heat. I enjoyed the new WWII exhibit about the Muskegon native who fought for the US and Russia. Nice exhibit about a local war hero.

We had just been driving through downtown Muskegon looking for antique shops and historical areas when we came across the Fire Barn - C.H. Hackley Hose Co. No. 2 (No fee, only donation). We thought we would stop and take a tour. They had done a great job restoring and presenting artifact from the Fire Barn. We then were told to go next door and visit the Scolnik House of the Depression Era (No Fee, only donation), Very well done and beautiful house. Then off to the mansions. The Hackley & Hume Historic site (small fee aprx $3pp) We love the Victorian architecture and these two house and carriage barn were wonderful. They have done a wonderful job restoring these properties. We were not able to go into the main building of the Lakeshore Museum Center because we didn't allow ourselves enough time for our visit to Muskegon. Muskegon is very lucky to have these properties taken care of by this organization. Good Job and I hope you can continue with your efforts to restore Muskegon.