Museums
View Map of Museums
View our map of museums in Ann Arbor
African American Cultural & Historical Museum of Washtenaw County
1528 Pontiac Tr.
(734) 761–1717
The AACHM offers educational programs, exhibits, and Underground Railroad bus tours and talks. Sat. & Sun. 2 p.m.–5 p.m. aachmuseum@att.net, aachm.org
Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum
220 E. Ann
(734) 995–5439
Offering more than 250 interactive exhibits, the museum attracts over 300,000 visitors annually and works to inspire curiosity, exploration, and respect for STEM and the natural world. The museum and Leslie Science & Nature Center offer field trip and outreach programming for schools, libraries, and communities statewide and around the world in addition to preschool, family and adult programming. Check website for current hours and details regarding memberships, scholarships, and EBT pricing. museum@aahom.org, discoverscienceandnature.org V
Argus Museum
525 W. William (Argus Bldg.)
(734) 769–0770
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 museum hosts photography exhibitions, group tours, meetings, and an international fall conference. Mon.–Fri. 8 a.m.–5 p.m.; also open for special events or by appointment. Free, but donations appreciated. argusmuseum.org V
Cobblestone Farm Museum
2781 Packard
(734) 794–7120
This city-owned historic farm recreates 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 V
Kempf House Museum
312 S. Division
(734) 994–4898
This 1853 Greek Revival house, listed in the National Register 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. The museum offers exhibits of period domestic life, open houses on select Sundays, Valentine teas, and a Wednesday noon lecture series in both spring and fall. Guided tours by appointment (usually with a few days’ notice). kempfhousemuseum@
Michigan Firehouse Museum
Museum on Main Street (Washtenaw County Historical Society)
500 N. Main, corner of Beakes & E. Kingsley
(734) 662–9092
Rotating exhibits in an historic house, featuring stories of early Washtenaw County life. Sat. & Sun. noon–4 p.m. wchs-500@ameritech.net, washtenawhistory.org V
Parker Mill
4650 Geddes
(734) 971–6337
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
1398 E. Ann
(734) 764–3482
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
434 S. State (public entrance on Maynard)
(734) 764–9304
Houses a permanent collection of more than 100,000 Classical, Egyptian, and Middle Eastern artifacts. Highlights include ancient textiles, glass, pottery, jewelry, sculpture, and artifacts of daily life. The Kelsey offers free public tours and events throughout the year, both in-person and virtually. More information and a schedule of events on the museum’s website. Tues.–Fri. 9 a.m.–4 p.m., Sat. & Sun. 1 p.m.–4 p.m. Closed Mon. and U-M holidays. Free admission. kelseymuse@