Museum Exhibitions and Collections
Magic Circles
Come visit the newly opened Magic Circles: Society Through Game Spaces exhibit here in Rowe 124. The exhibit was a collaboration between students in the Museum Studies program and the Center for Learning Through Games & Simulation (CLGS) and explores the role that board and video games have played throughout history. There is something for everyone, including many hands-on game elements developed by CMU students! On display until Spring 2028. For information on parking, please stop in the office at Rowe 103 upon your arrival.
Schoolhouse
The Bohannon Schoolhouse is open to the public by appointment. Tour the schoolhouse and participate in fun, educational activities from another era. For more information, email the Museum of Cultural and Natural History or call 989-774-3829.
Research collections
Anthropology
The anthropology collection contains a modest number of ethnographic and archaeological artifacts sufficient in depth to provide instructional opportunities for Central Michigan University students in the proper curatorial procedures encountered in a museum of anthropology. The ethnographic collections contain artifacts from Africa, India, Pakistan and North American Native American groups. The archaeological collections contain artifactual material from a variety of donated surface collections as well as several sites that were excavated by CMU field schools.
Zoology
The zoology collection consists of a wide range of representative specimens typically found in the Great Lakes region. The collection consists predominantly of Michigan specimens and has been built over the last 50 years. The primary collections consist of representatives of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, fish and insects. These collections are sufficient in number to support the educational and research efforts of most CMU science students and faculty members. The bird collection, which is our most extensive biological collection, is the third largest collection in the state of Michigan. Both the bird (approx. 7,000 specimens) and mammal (approx. 2,000 specimens) collections contain complete scientific data.
Geology
The museum's geology collection consists of a limited number of fossil plants, fossil animals, minerals and rocks. The museum houses the largest Petoskey stone ever found in Michigan. The specimen was found near Charlevoix in 1972 and weighs 420 pounds. Also in the museum's collection is the mastodon skeleton found in 1965 near Riverdale, Michigan. Another interesting specimen is a whale jaw found near Detroit. Radiocarbon dating suggested it is approximately 800 years old. As yet, there is no satisfying explanation for its presence in Michigan.
History
The museum's historical collection includes approximately 13,000 artifacts. The focus of the collection is on regional history from the middle of the 1800s on. Represented in the collection are artifacts related to Michigan's lumbering and pioneering eras. The collection includes a full range of articles used in everyday life including bottles, phonograph records, clothing, and woodworking tools. These artifacts are used to enhance classroom experiences for CMU students.