Grand Rapids History & Special Collections

Grand Rapids Public Library – Main, 111 Library St. NE, Grand Rapids, Mich. 49503
Phone: 616-988-5400; E-mail: Contact us
Hours: Sun 1-5p.m.; M-Th 9a.m.-9p.m. F-Sat 9a.m.-6p.m.

“The Grand Rapids History & Special Collections area of the library, including the archival collections, is one of the largest collections of historical [& genealogical] material in the state. Included are more than 30,000 books and periodicals, plus holdings on microfilm. Collecting emphasis is on the Grand Rapids and Kent County area, with additional sources on Western Michigan, Michigan and the Old Northwest. County and state histories, atlases & maps, family histories & biographical information, census data, city directories, local newspapers on microfilm, and vertical files are just some of the items to be found.”

City Archives & Research Center (Grand Rapids)

City Archives and Research Center
223 Washington Street SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Phone 616-456-4127 or 616-456-3114
Email mellis@grcity.us or awright@grcity.us

We are open to the public by appointment only. Our hours are Monday – Friday from 8am until 5pm.

City Archives & Records Center n Grand Rapids

City Archives & Records Center in Grand Rapids

“The City Archives and Research Center stores all the City’s government records. We make sure they’re preserved and accessible to citizens and employees to research.”

Heritage Hall – Archives of the Christian Reformed Church in North America

Calvin College Archives
1855  Knollcrest Circle SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
(616) 526-6916 
crcarchives@calvin.edu

“You can search and browse a limited selection of our finding aids online. If you have questions, you are welcome to contact us.”

Joint Archives of Holland

Phone: (616) 395-7798
Address: 9 E 10th St, Holland, MI 49423
Open to the public. http://jointarchives.org/  

Hours:   Monday thru Friday 8AM-12PM, 1PM-5PM
                Closed Saturday and Sunday
“The Joint Archives, a department of Hope College’s Van Wylen Library, is the consolidation of the archival collections of Hope College, Western Theological Seminary and other organizations that contract for archival services.”

Special Collections & University Archives,

Grand Valley State University, Allendale, Mich.
Phone: 616-331-2749; E-mail: collections@gvsu.edu
Hours: M-F: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

“Rare books, political papers, literary and historical manuscripts, maps and atlases, photographs and motion pictures, art and ephemera related to the interests of Grand Valley students, administrators, faculty, and outside researchers. Digital highlights of selected items from the holdings of Special Collections and University Archives include easy to search photographs, publications, manuscripts, and oral history interviews of community members and organizations.”