The Muskegon County Archive & Collection of the Lakeshore Museum Center highlights Muskegon County from prehistory to the present. It has grown since the museum’s founding in 1937 to span over 65,000 objects, photographs, and archival materials.

The collection focuses on objects that help interpret the history of the people and natural environment of Muskegon County. The Muskegon County Archive & Collection serves the seven museums of the Lakeshore Museum Center:

• Muskegon Museum of History & Science

• Muskegon Heritage Museum of Business & Industry

• Hackley & Hume Historic Site

• Scolnik House of the Depression Era

• Fire Barn Museum

The Lakeshore Museum Center preserves the collection and makes it accessible to the public. Objects in the Muskegon County Archive & Collection are used for exhibits, research, and programs. Only a small amount of the collection can be viewed in our seven museums, while more can be viewed in our online database.

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Collections Scope and Criteria

The Lakeshore Museum Center relies on donations from individuals and organizations. The museum collects mission-appropriate objects, specimens, and archival materials that improve or expand the existing collection.

The criteria for acceptance of any object include its relevance to Muskegon County, condition, and the museum’s ability to perpetually care for the item. Objects accepted into the collection generally meet the following basic criteria:

1. The object must relate to the history or prehistory of what is now Muskegon County.

2. Sufficient information about the history and function of the object must be available at the time of acceptance to justify the research and interpretive value of the object.

3. The object is in good and stable physical condition.

4. The object is unique and not overrepresented in the collection.

5. The object can be acquired without restrictions such as requirements for a long-term loan or permanent exhibition.

6. The Museum must be reasonably assured that the donor has legal title to the object and can convey that title to the Museum. The Museum cannot accept items known to have been illegally imported or acquired, or to have resulted from the improper distribution of historical or archaeological sites, buildings, districts, or objects.

If you have questions about the criteria for donating objects to the Lakeshore Museum Center contact the Collections Manager & Registrar [email protected].

Thanks to the generosity of donors in the past years, the Lakeshore Museum Center is no longer collecting:

• Newspapers and periodicals, including the Muskegon Chronicle

• World War II military uniforms and ephemera

• Doilies, tablecloths, pillowcases, and cloth napkins

• Pianos and pump organs

• Sewing machines

• Nationally syndicated magazines

 

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Support the Collection

The Lakeshore Museum Center requires ongoing resources to maintain its collection of more than 65,000 objects, photographs, and archival materials. This work includes cataloging, storing, and preserving the collections. We encourage you to consider making a financial contribution to help support this important work.