Touring the

The new RAM is the product of thousands of hours of volunteer work over a three year period and the generosity of the entire Rockford area community. Donations, pledges, and in kind services have combined to give the Rockford area a facility that will be a source of pride for many years to come.

This page includes a short video that shows the interior of the building and its condition prior to its renovation

and rebirth as a museum.

A slide show will show you some of the current exhibits and features that make the RAM a destination for visitors of all ages from pre-schoolers to senior citizens.

ENJOY THE SLIDESHOW

Roll mouse over image for more

information and to use the right and left arrows

to scroll through the pictures.

Video from 2012

Building tour - prior to renovation

Take a tour of downtown Stop at the RAM to pick up a brochure complete with pictures and a map that will guide you through a walking tour of downtown Rockford’s historic buildings.
Old Museum 1976 - 2013 Originally built as a powerhouse to provide electricity for the growing village in 1903, this building served as the museum's home for 37 years. It had no water or bathrooms and limited display space but dedicated volunteers made it work.
RAM is in a former Courthouse This building served as the 63rd District Courthouse until Kent County consolidated courts into a single building in Grand Rapids in 2009. The city chose the museum as the new tenant for the building in the heart of the city complex now named for Judge Steven Servaas who presided over the court here.
LOBBY DISPLAY Upon entering, visitors are greeted by this large panel featuring our new logo and our slogan - They saw the future... ...We honor the past.
Academics and Athletics See how schools have always been important to Rockford and how the town responded in 1922 when the only school was destroyed by fire
Doctor DeMaagd's desk See the doctor's desk, bag, and other tools of the trade.
2500 pound safe Saved from an old pharmacy, this safe was the first artifact placed in the South Exhibit room.
RAM Puppet Team performs Our puppet shows are always a hit with parents and children. Puppet Team members are needed. If you are a teen or young adult who likes to create smiles, call us.
Bomber Quilt This treasured artifact from the 1940's is on display in the South Room. It was originally made to raise funds for the country's war effort.
Wolverine World Wide exhibit A decision in 1903 brought the Hirth-Krause Company to Rockford. The company is now WWW, the 6th largest footwear manufacturer in the world.
Voice modules enhance exhibits Additional information is provided for some exhibits
The North Room "Forest" The forest - perfect place for the young visitors to play while the adults rest for a bit.
LAST MAN CLUB This bottle of champagne was brought back from France in WW2. Learn why it has never been opened.
The Parlor See and learn about the fainting couch and the round oak stove. Crank the old "Victrola" to listen to music from the early 1900's
The WWW Learning Center See videos about Rockford's early years, the story of Michigan's logging, or maybe a video of the Rockford HS Band marching in the Rose Parade in 1986. There is always something showing at the WWW Learning Center.
We love families! Fun facts for kids are placed throughout the museum under these "FOR KIDS ONLY" signs. Visitors 12 and under are also invited to play our "Hunt For History" game to win FREE ICE CREAM
WE ASK QUESTIONS... ...and provide some surprising, fun, and interesting answers.

We hope you enjoyed this sample.

Please plan to visit us soon.

Thousands of hours of volunteer work and over $330,000 of donated funds and services converted this empty shell into a museum that sets a high standard of excellence for small city museums.

CLICK HERE To see an informative video about the early days of logging Michighan's white pines.

Approximately 44 minutes long

616 866-2235

1PM

RockfordAreaMuseum@gmail.com

Touring the

Video from 2012

Building tour - prior to renovation

Take a tour of downtown

Stop at the RAM to pick up a brochure complete with pictures and a map that will guide you through a walking tour of downtown Rockford’s historic buildings.

Old Museum 1976 - 2013

Originally built as a powerhouse to provide electricity for the growing village in 1903, this building served as the museum's home for 37 years. It had no water or bathrooms and limited display space but dedicated volunteers made it work.

RAM is in a former Courthouse

LOBBY DISPLAY

Upon entering, visitors are greeted by this large panel featuring our new logo and our slogan - They saw the future... ...We honor the past.

Academics and Athletics

See how schools have always been important to Rockford and how the town responded in 1922 when the only school was destroyed by fire

Doctor DeMaagd's desk

See the doctor's desk, bag, and other tools of the trade.

2500 pound safe

Saved from an old pharmacy, this safe was the first artifact placed in the South Exhibit room.

RAM Puppet Team performs

Our puppet shows are always a hit with parents and children. Puppet Team members are needed. If you are a teen or young adult who likes to create smiles, call us.

Bomber Quilt

This treasured artifact from the 1940's is on display in the South Room. It was originally made to raise funds for the country's war effort.

Wolverine World Wide exhibit

A decision in 1903 brought the Hirth-Krause Company to Rockford. The company is now WWW, the 6th largest footwear manufacturer in the world.

Voice modules enhance exhibits

Additional information is provided for some exhibits

The North Room "Forest"

The forest - perfect place for the young visitors to play while the adults rest for a bit.

LAST MAN CLUB

This bottle of champagne was brought back from France in WW2. Learn why it has never been opened.

The Parlor

See and learn about the fainting couch and the round oak stove. Crank the old "Victrola" to listen to music from the early 1900's

The WWW Learning Center

See videos about Rockford's early years, the story of Michigan's logging, or maybe a video of the Rockford HS Band marching in the Rose Parade in 1986. There is always something showing at the WWW Learning Center.

We love families!

Fun facts for kids are placed throughout the museum under these "FOR KIDS ONLY" signs. Visitors 12 and under are also invited to play our "Hunt For History" game to win FREE ICE CREAM

WE ASK QUESTIONS...

...and provide some surprising, fun, and interesting answers.