Research Guides: Museum Studies: Local & Regional Museums

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Detroit Museums

Museums in Michigan and the Midwest

University Museums & Collections

Bentley Historical Library
The Bentley Historical Library and University Archives holds print, digital and multi-media records of the university.
Center for the History of Medicine
Located in the Simpson Building, CHM gathers historical epidemiological and contemporary historical information on pandemic influenza, and develops and publishes digital archives of primary materials related to its historical and contemporary studies.
Detroit Observatory
Built in 1854 and with many of the original astronomical instruments intact and operational, the Observatory is open twice a month for tours.
Herbarium
The Herbarium, growing its collections since 1837, houses over 1.7 million specimens of vascular plants, algae, bryophytes, fungi and lichen.
Kelsey Museum of Archeology
The Kelsey Museum houses a collection of nearly 100,000 ancient and medieval objects from the civilizations of the Mediterranean and the Near East. Museum is closed through October 2009.
Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum
Matthaei Botanical Gardens, at 1800 N. Dixboro Road, includes a conservatory, displays, and natural areas with trails. The Arboretum with entrances off Geddes Avenue and Washington Heights, includes an education center and extensive trails.
Museum of Anthropological Archaeology
The University's Museum of Anthropology has research collections that include materials from all continental areas, with particular strengths in eastern North America and Asia.
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The Museum has several analytical laboratories and special research facilities. The Ethnobotanical Laboratory, Archaeological Zoology Laboratory, Analytical Collections in Geology, and Latin American Ethnohistory Library provide major resources for use by students and researchers.
Museum of Art
One of the finest university art museums in the country, UMMA holds collections representing 150 years of art collecting. It regularly hosts special exhibitions and interpretative programs.
Museum of Art Online Image Collection
The museum's on-line image collection. It can be searched by styles, type, medium, title, artist, and nationality.
Limited to authorized UM users
Museum of Natural History
The Museum provides a window onto the research in Natural Sciences conducted at the University of Michigan. Exhibits include displays on prehistoric life, Michigan wildlife, anthropology, geology, and a Planetarium.
Museum of Paleontology
This museum provides staff, laboratory, and field support for faculty and students. It provides space and facilities for conserving, organizing, and studying collections of fossil specimens and information resulting from field investigations.
Museum of Zoology
The Museum of Zoology (UMMZ) develops and maintains excellent zoological collections explicitly for use in research and education benefiting science, society, and the university.
Sindecuse Museum of Dentistry
Located in the School of Dentistry, the Sindecuse Museum of Dentistry is devoted to preserving and exhibiting the history of dentistry.
Stearns Collection of Musical Instruments
Housed in the School of Music, Theatre and Dance in the Moore Building, the Stearns Collection includes over 2,500 historical and contemporary musical instruments.
Special Collections Research Center
The Special Collections Research Center holds approximately 6,500 linear feet of archival material, about 450 incunabula, 1,400 early manuscripts on vellum and paper, as well as approximately 275,000 published volumes.
William L. Clements Library
The Clements Library houses original resources for the study of American culture from the 15th through the 19th centuries.

Museums in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti

African American Cultural & Historical Museum of Washtenaw County
The AACHM was established to research, collect, preserve and exhibit cultural and historical materials about the life and work of African Americans in Washtenaw County.
Ann Arbor Hands On Museum
The mission of the Hands On Museum is to awaken curiosity, stimulate observation and exploration skills, and enhance school curriculum.
Argus Museum
The Argus Museum documents the history of the Argus Camera.
Kempf House Museum
The Kempf House Museum is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving, interpreting, and celebrating the Bennett-Kempf house, its garden and collections. Check the website for information on guided tours.
Michigan Firehouse Museum
The Michigan Firehouse Museum and Education Center highlights local firefighting history, as well as promoting fire safety and prevention.
Washtenaw County Historical Society - Museum on Main Street
The website for the presentation of Washtenaw County history.
Yankee Air Museum
Located in a hangar at Willow Run Airport, the mission of the Yankee Air Museum is to preserve and present the aviation history of southeast Michigan.
Ypsilanti Historical Society
Website for the Ypsilanti Historical Museum and Archives.
Ypsilanti Automotive Heritage Museum
Website that features vintage automobiles with a historical connection to Ypsilanti.