Kalamazoo Valley Museum Gets New Exhibits In 2026

The Kalamazoo Valley Museum sits in Downtown Kalamazoo and does an amazing job at showcasing the history of Kalamazoo and the surrounding area. They have exhibits and artifacts from places of significance in the area such as Gibson Guitars, Stryker, Checker Cab, and more. It makes learning and diving into the culture of the Kalamazoo area more intriguing.

Get our free mobile app

The free museum that's run by Kalamazoo Valley Community College may have insights on Kalamazoo but that's not where things stop for them. The museum is known for having several different exhibits that take an in-depth look at many different topics or periods of time in history. As someone who has been to the museum multiple times, I have NEVER had the same experience twice.

The exhibits that don't have a significant tie to the Kalamazoo Community are what many would call limited time or rotating exhibits. These are exhibits that move around the country and are only available in certain places for a limited period of time. The Kalamazoo Valley Museum does an amazing job of find rotating exhibits that are interesting but remain fresh as well. In the early part of 2026, two rotating exhibits will have some time in Kalamazoo.

When Was The Last Time You Went To The Kalamazoo Valley Museum?

Up North Live reports:

One visiting exhibit through late April, titled “Shape Shifting," showcases the evolution and artistry of guitar design through 40 unique instruments. Another exhibit visiting the museum through late July, the "Black Cowboys," allows visitors to examine the untold stories Black men, women and children in the pre-civil war American West.

Your Childhood is Now an Exhibit at Michigan's Henry Ford Museum

I'm sorry, Generation X. Your childhood is officially a museum exhibit. The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation's Your Place in Time displays showcases each generation's impact on the United States, from the Progressive Generation to today. While it's not surprising to see items from the 1890s or 1950s displayed for their historical significance, it's a bit jarring to round a corner and see your childhood toys under glass. Here's a look at one of those displays featuring Generation X's impact on electronic play and the first generation to require the phrase "batteries not included."

Gallery Credit: Scott Clow