This fall we are beginning a project by professionally photographing 500 of the artifacts of the Grand Rapids Public Museum. Visitors to the website will eventually be encouraged to attach their own oral and written histories to the artifact, giving them a more complete and in-depth story. We’ve asked community members to write about objects that caught their attention so we can share them here.

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What is ArtifactGR?+

What if you could easily access artifacts of the past, learn from them, and allow them to influence the future?...

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Anna Zaharakos: The Iron Lung and Margaret Pfrommer+

The Iron Lung and Margaret Pfrommer By Anna Zaharakos, Owner, Studio Z, Grand Rapids, MI When my daughter Eva and...

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Toni Bal: Wheelchair+

This photo is of a wooden wheelchair from the early part of the 20th century. What do you see? Oak...

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Dale A. Robertson: Robert E. Lee Sword Sash+

My favorite artifact at the Grand Rapids Public Museum is a sword sash.  The sash is currently on display in...

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Lisa Locke: Peace of Wild Things+

When despair for the world grows in me and I wake in the night at the least sound in fear...

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Chris Knape: It pointed up+

The symbol at the bottom of the “Evacuation Route” sign contains the letters CD, for Civil Defense. I remember first...

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Amy and Steve Ruis: Table+

Artifact: Table 82.1.3. Author: Amy and Steve Ruis Remember setting the table as a child? A chore, right? Most of...

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Collin Hunt: REO Speedwagon+

The band REO Speedwagon is one of my favorite bands, and I’ve always known it was named after a car....

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Janice Propst: Paragon Cutter+

In our current world of brutally hard-edged, utilitarian machine design this Paragon Cutter captures one’s aesthetic sense and reminds us...

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Rapid Growth Media Feature on ArtifactGR+

A special thank you to Tommy Allen for coming through  and writing up this great feature in Rapid Growth his...

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Anna Dornan: Pirate Ship+

In the hands of a child, everything is magical. All things are meant to be explored and played with. Everything...

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Jeff Hill: Fox Typewriter+

qwerty Clack…clack…clack…clack…clack…clack…clack…clack came the sound from Mr. Shipman’s class on the first day of school. Or maybe it was Mr....

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New Images Search+

Many new images are being added daily to the online database. These are searchable and available to everyone, just enter...

Read More+ 191 days ago

Eric Kuhn: 1913 Indian Motorcycle+

Motorcycles terrify me. Well, not motorcycles themselves, but its the idea of riding one out on the open road, surrounded...

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Andrea Melvin: Blue Wedding Dress / Bridesmaid Dress+

Artifact: Blue Wedding dress / bridesmaid dress Accession Numbers: Blue wedding dress – to follow tomorrow Bridesmaid Dress, c.1957 #147100...

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Amy and Steve Ruis: Table+

Artifact: Table 82.1.3. Author: Amy and Steve Ruis Remember setting the table as a child? A chore, right? Most of...

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Bill Hill: Rudell Pharmacy objects+

Items from Rudell Drugstore, in the Grand Rapids Public Museum Archives You know how it is. Sometimes it’s a slant...

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Mayor George Heartwell: Birch Bark Canoe+

Come back with me. Way back. European settlers had discovered the New World but had only begun to push into...

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Rickey Ainsworth: Lumen Martin Winter’s Fra Mauro+

During my time as an eight-year-old supernerd, I never felt more in my element than during my frequent visits to...

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Pamela Patton: 1960′s Tablet Desk+

1960’s Tablet Desk Accession Number: 2009.2.5 Manufacturer: Irwin Seating I was thrilled and honored when Gayle DeBruyn asked me to...

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Tommy Fitzgerald: Roder stove and oven+

Old Fashioned Pot Roast 1 5lb Chuck 1 Large Red onion, wedged into 8s 2 Cups chopped (into 1 inch...

Read More+ 441 days ago

Wall Wasilewski: Detroit Jewel+

The Detroit Jewel captures an automotive guy’s heart Born and raised in Detroit in a very automotive-focused family, Wally is...

Read More+ 441 days ago

Tom T. Simmons: A basket+

Way in the back of the third room in on the second floor of the Grand Rapids Public Museum Archives,...

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Janice Propst: Paragon Cutter+

In our current world of brutally hard-edged, utilitarian machine design this Paragon Cutter captures one’s aesthetic sense and reminds us...

Read More+ 441 days ago

Thank you Grand Rapids Public Museum and Staff!+

Our great thanks to the staff at the Public Museum Archive! Thank you Andrea Melvin, Alex Forist, Tim Priest and...

Read More+ 448 days ago

William DeBruyn: Steelcase Metal Office Furniture Co. , Victor Waste Baskets+

I love wood – from a walk in the woods under tree canopies – to the furniture and architecture they...

Read More+ 448 days ago

Evan Hunt: Are you the King of Pop?+

Are you the King of Pop? Hiya, ladies and gentlemen! King Kernel here with a “pop” quiz for ya. Let’s...

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Sarah Nagy: Merchant Marine Uniform+

“The Merchant Marine has the largest ratio of casualties of any branch of the services….” stares back at me from...

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Nancy Goodman: 54 Jefferson – The building+

A recent quick walk through the old public museum at 54 Jefferson Street was such an amazing and delightful tease....

Read More+ 448 days ago

Tommy Allen: Simplex Clock+

Give Pause. It has been many years since I was invited to the archives at the Grand Rapids Public Museum. ...

Read More+ 448 days ago

Collin Hunt: REO Speedwagon+

The band REO Speedwagon is one of my favorite bands, and I’ve always known it was named after a car....

Read More+ 448 days ago

Lisa Locke: Peace of Wild Things+

When despair for the world grows in me and I wake in the night at the least sound in fear...

Read More+ 448 days ago