Another day at home. Another day looking for something to do. Well, look no further. The Grand Rapids Public Museum is coming to your home—virtually.
The Grand Rapids Public Museum has created a way to keep the community engaged during COVID-19 by creating content the public can use on line.
“We are bringing the GRPM to your own home.”
Christie Bender, Grand Rapids Public Museum’s Director of Marketing and Customer Service says they are actively creating content, for all ages.
“Whether you’re trying to augment education lessons if you’re teaching your kids at home now, or if you need some activities that your kids can do without the help of a parent. But also activities if you’re not a child and you want activities to do while you’re at home, you’re able to do that on this website.”
Bender says they have virtual discovery kits that allows visitors to tackle science, history and other collections. You can check with a live look at their two Lake Sturgeon. Plus they have digital scavenger hunts. A new one every week.
“In our scavenger hunts that are related to that, will not only help you learn not only how to look up artifacts but really help you dive in to finding content that you might come across as you look on the website.”
While it’s not meant to replace going to the museum, it does offer an opportunity to be fully informed about numerous artifacts and more when (you’re able to visit again) they’re able to reopen. Bender says they are also seeking the public’s help in capturing this moment in history. What’s your story during COVID 19? How are you handling it? The museum wants your input.
“We want to know what its like as you transition to working at home, we want to know what it’s like if you have kids or don’t have kids. All of those different experiences are crucial in telling the local experience of this story.”
Once the pandemic is behind us, Bender says they will also seek objects that reflect this time, probably things like face masks and other items for display. In the meantime, you can access a wealth of information as well as contribute your story, at GRPM.org. and GRPM.org/collections.
