Family Fun at the Historical Museum of Bay County
Looking for family fun that involves learning about local history? The Historical Museum of Bay County has plenty of options and activities to offer for all ages!
Like many institutions, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused us to re-think how to reach and educate the public on Bay County’s extraordinary history. Since 2021, the museum has worked hard to make virtual programs, activities, and other informational materials that are available for FREE.
QR Codes
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One of the newer additions to our exhibits is that of QR Codes we have placed around the various galleries. These function as extensions of existing displays and offer users to see, read, hear, and watch related educational materials on their phones. For those unable to get to the museum physically, we also plan on linking them to our website as webpages.
Image 1: Various QR codes placed on the Bay County wall mural in the Trails Through Time gallery that opens up information and historical maps about the counties and towns that make up Bay County. |
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Image 2: QR Code placed in the Trails Through Time gallery that opens up information, photos, and videos about the 1914 GMC Ambulance on display. Screenshot underneath. |
Virtual, New & Upcoming Exhibits
Virtual Black History Exhibit
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In the month of February, the BCHS launched a completely virtual Black History exhibit! This virtual display is available 24/7, 365 days of the year, and the link is available here. This format also allows for the continuous updating and expansion of the project as more information and photos become available to the museum for use. We have plans to dedicate a portion of the wall in the hallway with a QR code linked to the exhibit and a small display about it.
Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy Exhibit
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One of our newest exhibits, designed and put together by Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy, contains informational displays and videos of SBLC’s projects from around the region. For children, there are interactive displays which allow for them to measure their height and ‘wingspan’ in comparison to various animals from around the region.
Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame
The Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame is set to open mid-March of 2022. Stay tuned for more!
Virtual Education Programs
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Our virtual educational programs offer free lessons and activities that can be sent out as copies, and are very user friendly for teachers, students, and families alike that wish to use them. They are sent out via Google Slides and offer various levels of education ranging from elementary to high school and college levels. Being customizable, educators may alter them if they desire. More information here.
Above Images: Screenshots of our virtual educational resources.
Scavenger Hunts
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Another recent addition to the museum that isn’t virtual is that of scavenger hunts! These are also free and may be picked up at the front desk or emailed to you to be printed from home. These range in age from elementary to adult level and ask various questions based on our exhibits. Another alternative are photo observation scavenger hunts which have the user try and ID the locations of various photos and artworks from around the museum. Answers to both may be checked at the front desk. More information here.
Google Earth – The Bay County Map Project
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Using Google Earth, the BCHS has started another ongoing project: The Bay County Map Project. This project uses images from Bay County’s past and aligns them with their modern-day locations; some still standing and some not. This fully interactive 3D map allows users to read newspaper clippings pertaining to the location they are observing. Can be used either on the Google Earth smartphone app or on a desktop. Click here to view!
As a collaboration with the Castle Museum of Saginaw County History, Chief Historian and Vice President Tom Trombley and Outreach Coordinator Jen Vanette are working with the BCHS to create another free Google Earth Project. This map will focus on buildings and homes built by Bay City’s Victor Nurmi in both Saginaw and Bay City. More to come soon.
Above Images: Screenshots from the Bay County Map Project.
Robert & Anne Hachtel Theater
The Robert and Anne Hachtel Theater in the main floor hallway is currently under construction. We are completely replacing our aging PC with a new iMac to allow for faster speeds and offer more free educational documentaries including our previously recorded Second Saturday programs.
Contact Information
The Museum is open Monday through Friday from 10AM – 4PM, and closed Saturday and Sunday.
Address: 321 Washington Ave, Bay City, MI 48708
Phone: (989) 893-5733
Website: www.bchsmuseum.org
Social Media: Facebook
Guest Writer: Samuel Fitzpatrick is the Education Coordinator, the Historical Museum of Bay County.
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