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 2025
- Lawrence Bell
- Gina Bivins
- City of Grand Rapids
- Steven Alan Crabbs
- Downtown GR Inc.
- Alice Feret
- Grand Rapids Public Library
- Andrea Kidney
- Bryan Konieczka
- Laura McBeth
- Steve Nagengast
- Christine Olson
- Steelcase
- Dee Tokarski
- Kreigh Tomaszewski
- Holly Waldenmeyer
- Susan Wege Carter
- Dylan Wilmeth
- Karl and Kathy Wiltse
- David Wiltse
- Catherine W. Brown
- Captain Carlos Coronel
- Nancy L. Clouse
- Kim Doornbos
- Judy Finazzi
- Kathleen C. Hillock
- Barbara Hoffman
- Jay Hoult
- Kellanova
- Mark Korodan
- Dennis Leiber
- Meijer
- Marie Mulder
- Cynthia O'Connor
- Rick Overway
- Tatiana Parsons
- Ward Paul
- Charles Schoenknecht
- Dr. Cory Redman
- Jon H. Ringelberg
- Dale Robertson
- Nancy Smith
- Valerie Tvrdik Anderson
- Eric Buhr
- Mariel Demoss
- Greg Forbes
- Grand Rapids Art Museum
- Cynthia Porter Janes
- Scott Johnston
- Alexandra Longstreet
- Jim Nelson
- Dr. Stephanie Ogren
- Anita Putnam
- Van Buren County Historical Society
- Rebecca Ayer
- Rob Becker
- Gary De Kock
- Dezirae Durden
- WMCAT
- Jacob Frederick-Sorrell
- Carl and Greg Gromek
- Samuel Mayes
- Marynell Oechsner
- Joseph Rathbun
- Rob Schuitema
