NewsLocal NewsKent

Actions

Explore the GRPM from home

Posted at 6:12 AM, Mar 25, 2020
and last updated 2020-03-25 07:26:39-04

Grand Rapids Public Museum may be empty but that doesn’t mean you can’t visit them virtually.

During Governor Whitmer’s stay-at-home order there are a variety of options for all ages to engage with the museum online.

The Grand Rapids Public Museum has a collection of more than 250 thousand artifacts and specimens you can see from the comfort of your own home.

From fashion and furniture to a virtual scavenger hunt and a livestream of their Sturgeon, there’s something for everyone.

“So we actually changed our livestream camera from being outside to focus on our two 10 month old Lake Sturgeon that is a part of our ‘Grand Fish, Grand River’ exhibit. So you can actually go in and check on the fish anytime of day. We do turn the tank lights off at night so the fish can sleep so you won't be able to see them overnight,” says Christie Bender, Director of Marketing and Customer Service at GRPM.

Not only are they helping families stay entertained during this time but they’re helping the local healthcare workers by donating nearly 4,000 gloves along with face shields, Tyvek suits and masks.

“We have these supplies on hand in our collections building for artifact handling, because some of the things are hundreds if not thousands of years old. We're not sure what was used to preserve them. So we have those safety equipment in our collections, but during the temporary closure and really just support the community in a time of need,” says Bender.

This is free to the public, just visit GRPM’s website.