Michigan Historical Museum, Lansing, Michigan, Flagship of the Michigan Historical Museum System

The Michigan Historical Museum brings Michigan's history to life for visitors, from prehistoric times through the late twentieth century. Located in the Michigan Library and Historical Center in Lansing, the museum is the flagship of the Michigan Historical Museum System's 12 sites.

The museum features five levels, twenty-six permanent galleries and a special exhibit gallery to convey the story of Michigan's past. Among its most striking visual features are a dramatic four-story atrium and a topographical relief map of the state that stands three stories high and greets visitors to the museum.

The map also serves to inform and remind visitors of the natural forces and resources that have shaped the state's history, and to provide a background for stories about how Michigan's land and water have been used for industry, commerce and recreation.

Some of the exhibits visitors to the musuem encounter include:

"The First People'' tells the story of the Paleo-Indian ("ancient Indian'') peoples, who probably ventured into North America by crossing from Asia to Alaska via the Bering Straits. These Paleo-Indians traveled extensively and followed the herd animals they depended upon for food, skins and hides. They are believed to have arrived in Michigan about 12,000 years ago, where they hunted caribou, and possibly mammoths and mastodons as well, with spears.

"Settling a State'' showcases the story of Michigan's settlers and the state's early growth. Michigan became a "territory'' in 1805 and a state in 1837, with Stevens T. Mason its first governor. During the period between 1830 and 1840, no state experienced faster growth than Michigan, thanks to access via the Erie Canal and the lure of cheap land.

The Civil War gallery documents the story of the more than 90,000 Michigan men - including whites, Blacks and Native Americans - who served in the Civil War. As a strong anti-slavery state, Michigan responded quickly to the war, and the number of soldiers who served accounted for 23% of the state's male population. Though no Civil War battles took place on Michigan soil, these soldiers from infantry, cavalry, artillery, engineering, and sharpshooter regiments fought in virtually every major battle of the war.

The Mining gallery features an entrance with a towering mine headframe formed of timber, and a massive piece of float copper (copper that is found loose in the soil). Inside the gallery are exhibits about Michigan's copper and iron mining, other natural resources, as well as a history of the mining communities from the state's Upper Peninsula.

The Lumbering exhibit document's Michigan's history as the nation's leading producer of lumber from 1869 to 1900. Michigan was noted for its virgin stands of white pine trees, which grew tall and straight-grained. The history also demonstrates how lumbering changed with the coming of the railroads, making it possible to cut trees far from rivers, which were the primary mode of transport prior to that.

The "Growing Up in Michigan, 1880-1895'' gallery showcases early life in the state, as seen through the eyes of five young people who grew up during the latter part of the 19th century. Visitors can examine actual diaries and reminiscences, and exhibits such as a one-room school house, living quarters and an outdoor shed.

The "Farm and Factory, 1860-1900'' exhibit shows how the predominantly rural state moved toward becoming industrialized.

Via those and other exhibits, the Michigan Historical Museum brings to life in dramatic visual fashion the history of the state of Michigan.