Courtesy Image This rendering shows the planned Ice Age portion of the “Discover Northeast Michigan” exhibit expected to open in December 2024 at Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan in Alpena. The exhibit is designed by Split Rock Studios out of Minnesota.

ALPENA ­– Visitors to Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan will notice a 3,000-square-foot open space now, but in one year, that space will be filled with a $1.8-million interactive exhibit.

The museum just received a $50,000 Capital Improvement grant from the Michigan Arts and Culture Council for phase two of its new exhibit project. With that grant, the museum still needs to raise $430,750 between now and December 2024, when the “Discover Northeast Michigan History” exhibit is slated to open.

Designed by Split Rock Studios out of Minnesota, the exhibit will feature a journey through time, covering the ice age through present day. It will have areas dedicated to lakes, logging, limestone, farming, our Native American ancestors, and more.

Children will enjoy exploring the interactive portions of the exhibit, including a slide in the ice age area and discovery drawers full of artifacts.

The new exhibit will showcase the rich history of Northeast Michigan, including the region’s Native American heritage, the fur trading era, the early industries, and more. The exhibit will feature interactive displays, artifacts, and multimedia presentations, providing visitors with an immersive and engaging experience.

“We are thrilled to receive this grant from the Michigan Arts and Culture Council,” said Christine Witulski, executive director of the Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan. “This funding will allow us to create a world-class exhibit that celebrates the unique history of Northeast Michigan and provides visitors with an unforgettable experience.”

Besser Museum has contracted Split Rock Studios to design, fabricate, and install the new exhibit. The project will cost $1.8 million. The Besser Museum has already raised $1.3 million. The $50,000 grant awarded from Michigan Arts and Culture Council along with $19,250 from this year’s Giving Tuesday, leaves $430,750 yet to be raised.

“When it’s complete, it will highlight, truly, what’s so unique and special about Northeast Michigan,” Witulski said. “It will take visitors through 11 different time periods celebrating Northeast Michigan’s heritage.”

She is excited to present this new exhibit to the community.

“It’ll be family-friendly, it’ll be more immersive, there will be some hands-on engaging components throughout,” Witulski said. “When done, people will be very proud of being a citizen of Northeast Michigan, or visiting Northeast Michigan. You will understand so much more about our life and our economy, and our natural resources. It’s going to be really exciting.”

She added that donors of $500 or more will be acknowledged by contribution level on a permanent recognition wall within the exhibit.

Witulski said anyone wishing to donate for year-end giving or at any time can do so online at bessermuseum.org, or call the museum at 989-356-2202 for more information.

“You can build your own legacy,” she said. “We have different levels.”

She added that she is grateful for the generosity of our community, and that the Besser Museum will also be seeking more grant funding to meet their goal.

Reach Darby Hinkley at dhinkley@thealpenanews.com or 989-358-5691.