(click on photo for larger image)
Click HERE for link to Michigan Historic Sites Online.
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The
Coopersville Area Historical Society Museum Hours Are:
Saturdays 10
a.m. – 4 p.m.
Tuesdays from 3
– 8 p.m.
Wednesdays from 10 a.m.
– 1 p.m.
Sundays from 1 – 4
p.m. (Aug. — mid-Dec.)
The Museum
is also open during many other special times
throughout the year.
Call Jim or Lillian Budzynski (616)
997-6978 for
information or to arrange group tours.
The Coopersville Area Historical Society Museum is
a handicap accessible facility.
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The main brick-faced museum building is a former interurban depot and substation that was part of the Grand Rapids, Grand Haven & Muskegon Railway. The building is a Michigan Historic Site and is on the National Register of Historic Places. This electric interurban rail line served the area from 1902-1928. With its many daily runs, the interurban railroad made commuting from Grand Rapids to the lakeshore possible before the widespread use of automobiles. Light freight was also conveniently transported. Adjacent the interurban depot is one of the original, rare wooden-bodied interurban railcars currently under restoration. A natural extension of the interurban heritage is our extensive collection of railroad memorabilia. Something not so usual is our extensive collection of Rock-n-Roll memorabilia of 1960s rock star, Del Shannon. Born as Charles Westover, Del grew up in Coopersville, MI and the Historical Society Museum houses one of the largest collections of Del Shannon memorabilia outside of Cleveland's Rock-n-Roll Museum (many of those pieces came from our museum). The town celebrates this connection with the annual Del Shannon Memorial Car Show during Summerfest the first full weekend of August. Join with his fans and family members as they reminisce about those fabulous years. |
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Now
Listed in the
AAA Michigan
Tour Book! |
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 Adjoining the former brick depot is a rustic looking building that houses early settlement tools and exhibits.
A full size sawmill display is featured inside along with other displays of early settlement living including a full-size school room.
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Museum Highlights:
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Railroad and Interurban artifacts
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Car #8 "Merlin" - a rare, wooden-bodied interurban passenger car
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Del Shannon Rock-n-roll monument and memorabilia
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1880s Drugstore
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Full-size sawmill
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'G' gauge Shay locomotive loggin railroad model
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Computer database for ancestry searches
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Vintage tool & logging items
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Early 1990s one-room school
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many local business and household displays.
Quick Links:
| Interurban Railway Substation | Railroad Memorabilia | Del Shannon Rock 'n' Roll Star |
1880s Drug Store | Sawmill
Display |
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Want to
see more? Click here to take a virtual quick tour of our
museum!
Museum News & Highlights:
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 City Plans for Building Addition
Plans are in the works to provide another addition that will totally enclose the interurban rail car to protect it from the elements. This addition will provide for additional exhibits, archival storage, activity and meeting space. Architectural renderings have been presented to the city council and grant applications as well as fundraising strategy are currently being developed. For more informaation call the City of Coopersville (616) 997-9731 or the Budzynskis (616) 997-6978
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Awards & Recognition
 Meijer Provides Grant for "Sawmill" Expansion
Curator, Jim Budzynski, co-authors book on The Interurban Years. |
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OUTSIDE LINKS
Visit some of our other area museums online!
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Ferrysburg, Grand Haven & Spring Lake
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© 2008-2011 Coopersville Area Historical Society & Museum.
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