Grand Rapids Public Museum

Building Features

• The lobby rotunda welcomes visitors with graceful female figures that once held gaslight fixtures at the entrance of Grand Rapids’ 1881 City Hall. A section of the Berlin Wall is permanently located in the entry lobby area as well.
• Exhibition galleries and public program spaces occupy the first three floors, with the fourth floor housing administrative and curatorial offices, exhibition production shops and a design studio. Major permanent exhibits include The Furniture City, Anishinabek: The People of This Place, Habitats: West Michigan’s Natural Environment, The Streets of Old Grand Rapids.
• A 9,500 square foot gallery on the third level houses changing and major traveling exhibitions.
• Spanning the entire east side of the building is the Galleria featuring floor-to-ceiling windows that soar to the equivalent of nearly 8 stories. Overlooking the Grand River, the Galleria has a ballroom dance floor and is ornamented with 19th century tiles from the old Grand Rapids City Hall. Suspended from the ceiling in the Galleria is the Museum’s famous 76-foot fin whale skeleton.
• The Grand Staircase that leads a visitor up through the building includes landings and oriel windows for pausing and reflecting on the outdoor beauty of the river and panorama of the central city.
• A beautifully restored 1928 Spillman Engineering Co. carousel, housed in the Cook Carousel Pavilion, is one of the most popular features of Van Andel Museum Center. The carousel pavilion is actually built on pilings over the Grand River, and is connected to the main building by an enclosed walkway.
• The Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium dome, located off the north end of the Van Andel Museum Center’s second floor, adds a distinctive feature to the exterior of the building’s northern exposure.
• The Meijer Theater on the second floor seats 256 and is fully equipped for concerts, movies and live performances. It also houses a massive, restored 1920s Mighty Wurlitzer Theater organ.
• With seating in a bay window overlooking the riverscape, the Museum Café features variety of tempting items for a snack or more satisfying meal.
• The Ford Promenade, a public walkway along the river’s edge and around the carousel pavilion, is named in honor of long-time Museum supporter President Gerald R. Ford.
• The Curiosity Shop offers an assortment of books and gifts for both children and adults, with a special focus on Michigan products, crafts and arts.
• After hours, the museum center is available to convention visitors, community groups and private parties for dinners, receptions and meetings of up to 2,000 guests.
• The Van Andel Museum Center is completely accessible and barrier free.