“I think it’s really exciting to be able to step into the past. It feels like you’re in a different time.”
Marketing Manager for the Grand Rapids Public Museum Delany Lee Lemke says since the “Streets of Old Grand Rapids” expanded from the floor into the second floor in May the museum’s attendance has increased.
“Ninety-five percent of our collections are in storage at any given time, so this was an awesome opportunity to bring out some of those early collections.”
The exhibit features how the city of Grand Rapids would have looked in the 1890’s. The expansion features real-life dentist Dr. Ezra Holmes’ office and artifacts from the Kent Scientific Institute.
Ron Marsteiner is a retired pharmacist who’s been volunteering for almost 13 years at the Rudell Drug Store exhibit.
“I’ve come full circle. I’m not practicing my profession anymore, but I’m talking about it.”
He says his volunteer experience can be boiled down to one word:
“Joy. Especially with the kids. I feel like I’ve done something good.”
You can learn more online at GRPM.org/streets
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