GRAND RAPIDS, MI – The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) invites the community to experience more of Grand Rapids’ history in the newly expanded Streets of Old Grand Rapids core exhibit. The brand new portion of the space opens to the public this Friday, May 1.
Guests exploring the accessible second floor will discover two distinct spaces: Kent Scientific Institute, which depicts the origins of what would eventually become the Grand Rapids Public Museum, and the E.S. Holmes dental office.
The Kent Scientific Institute was formed in 1868 through the merger of John Ball’s Grand Rapids Lyceum of Natural History and its Cabinet of Curiosities with a local scientific club of high school students. Upon entering the exhibit, guests will step into a late-1800s classroom repurposed to house growing collections. The Kent Scientific Institute will feature some of the Grand Rapids Public Museum’s earliest natural history specimens, offering a glimpse into the institution’s foundations and the curious spirit that inspired its creation.
Guests can also enter a recreation of Dr. Ezra Sprague Holmes’ dentist’s office. Holmes, who served as president of the Michigan Dental Association from 1869 to 1870, also had strong ties to the Kent Scientific Institute. He was a charter member and remained in good standing, serving in several positions, including president, member of the Board of Directors, secretary, and assistant to the Director until his death at 95.
Dr. Holmes was heavily involved in the professionalization of dentistry in Michigan and developed instruments and methods that were the foundation of much modern practice. Many of the artifacts in the exhibit were donated by Holmes himself, including tools, books, the cabinet, and plaster casts of teeth. The room is drastically different from the sterile, modern offices seen today, with a red velvet dentist chair and ornate decor.
For decades, the Streets of Old Grand Rapids core exhibit has been a cornerstone of the Museum experience, transporting guests to the 1890s through carefully recreated storefronts and environments that reflect the people, industries, and everyday life that shaped the region. The second-floor expansion builds on that legacy, offering additional interpretive spaces that deepen the story of Grand Rapids and West Michigan.
“This expansion was a significant undertaking for our curatorial and exhibits staff, from historically researched design to artifact selection to exhibit construction,” said Kellie Rosekrans, Director of Marketing at the GRPM. “We can’t wait to share that work and more of the fascinating stories that shaped this community.”
The exhibit’s expansion is part of the Museum’s ongoing commitment to preserving and sharing regional history while creating dynamic, engaging experiences for guests of all ages. Much of the exhibit features artifacts donated by community members over many decades, helping to ensure that the stories represented reflect the voices and lived experiences of the region.
Exploration of the Streets of Old Grand Rapids is included with General Admission. Admission tickets may be purchased in advance at grpm.org
