Alden B. Dow Museum of Science
Located in the Midland Center for the Arts at 1801 W. St. Andrews Road, the museum occupies approximately 30,000 square feet of space and features rotating exhibit galleries and a permanent interactive exhibit, “The Hall of Ideas,” that combine elements of science, technology, history and art.
Following the 2020 floods, the Arts Center has worked tirelessly at local, state and national levels to secure the necessary funding to repair and improve our facilities. During the interim period, the Arts Center continues to present exciting and engaging exhibits of art and science in its lobby spaces and IFF STEM exhibit rooms. The Studio School offers art classes and other related experiences as part of the curriculum throughout the year. Admission is required.
Midland County Historical Society
The Midland County Historical Society is your home for information on all things Midland County history.
Following historic flood damage in May 2020, the Historical Society rescued all of its holdings. The items are currently housed at the Midland Center for the Arts. For more information about the Midland County Historical Society, events and exhibits, visit www.midlandcenter.org/history.
Sanford Centennial Museum
The museum is located at the corner of Smith and Saginaw Streets in Sanford. It is open Saturday and Sunday from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Opening hours are 10am-5pm on Saturdays and 1pm-5pm on Sundays.
There are no admission or parking fees. For more information, call 989-687-9048, visit their Facebook page or visit sanfordhist.org.
The museum features turn-of-the-century buildings including the main museum located in Riverside School, the Smith family log cabin, Clare Z. Bailey Chapel, Sanford City Hall, Olson General Store, Felix School, the Veterans Memorial, the Bunk House, two vintage cabooses, a railroad switch locomotive and boxcar, a covered bridge and a Big Wheel Log Hauler.
There is a permanent Santa House on the grounds. Special events include Founder’s Day weekend in September (always the weekend after Labor Day) and the Santa Express in December. Founder’s Day features a pancake breakfast, an annual parade through the downtown area, free live country music, a zoo, face painting, a barrel train and free children’s pony rides, a children’s treasure hunt, wooden branding, old-fashioned machine demonstrations, blacksmithing, and more.
Private tours are also available by prior arrangement.
Coleman Historical Society
203 E. Railway St., Coleman. For more information, call 989-465-0337 or visit Facebook, Coleman Historical Society, Coleman Michigan.
