The Washtenaw County Historical Society (WCHS),was established in 1857 to educate and inspire our community to engage in the preservation and presentation of area history. We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, all dues and donations are tax-deductible. If you have any questions please call 734-662-9092 or email wchs-500@ameritech.net.
Creating the Future of Medicine for 175 Years
Step back in time to 1850, when the doors opened to the University of Michigan Medical School’s first building on the UM Diag, in this exhibit Creating the Future of Medicine for 175 Years.Travel through the decades of accelerating progress in medical education, health care and biomedical research, including the 1925 opening of the famous “Old Main” University Hospital that served patients for nearly 60 years. See artifacts, photographs and documents from U-M medical and scientific history, and learn how one of the nation’s leading academic medical centers – Michigan Medicine – came to be. This exhibit is part of the 175th Anniversary celebration for the Medical School, and the centennial of Old Main. Click here to learn more about the anniversary.
The Museum is open Saturdays and Sundays, 12 noon-4pm and weekdays by appointment. Groups are welcome, and all ages will enjoy this family-friendly, educational and fun experience..
We did it! Thank you to everyone who donated
Raising a New Roof at the Museum on Main Street
Our museum began its life in 1835 on Wall Street in Ann Arbor. Saved from demolition when the University of Michigan donated it to the Washtenaw County Historical Society, the house now stands at 500 N. Main Street on City of Ann Arbor parkland. After it rolled across the Broadway Bridge in 1990, we worked to restore and maintain the house as a museum. In recent years we replaced siding, porches and the ramp, repaired the fence, and painted both the interior and exterior.
The community was more than responsive when we asked for help in raising money for the project Thanks to you we were able to maintain the historical significance of the building, and installed a cedar shake roof in December 2025.
The Museum being placed on its new foundation at 500 N. Main Street, June 1990. Click here to watch the move from beginning to end
Most houses built in Michigan before 1920 had wood-shingled roofs. After 1915, asphalt roof shingles were available and most original cedar roofs were covered with asphalt shingles after 1920.
If you like gardening, we could use your help at the Museum
We are looking for volunteers to help maintain and beautify our gardens. Whether you have experience or not, your help will be greatly appreciated.Volunteers will learn from Master Gardener Lily Ferguson before working independently. Please fill out the volunteer form and check gardens. You can also email the Historical Society or call 734-662-9092.
Most early American cities and towns were located on or near a river, creek or lake for domestic and agricultural water supply as well as for navigation purposes. Before trains and highways, waterways were the most effective way to move heavy goods over long distances. They provided an accessible source of fresh water for drinking, irrigation, and industry including the operation of dams and mills of various sorts, the production of electricity, and of course - recreation. This exhibit takes visitors on a journey exploring the history of some of our County’s waterways and the industries, resources, products and communities they sustain. Exhibit hours are Saturdays and Sundays, 12 noon-4pm and weekdays by appointment. Click here to schedule your visit or call 734-662-9092. Groups and students are welcome. We are located at 500 N. Main Street, at the corners of East Kingsley, Beakes and Main Street in Ann Arbor.
The Most Recent Past Exhibit at the Museum on Main Street - closed Summer 2025
"Along the Waterways of Washtenaw County"
Everyone is invited to be a part of our mission:
to educate and inspire our community to engage in
the preservation and presentation of area history.
Take the Ann Arbor Bicentennial Quiz
Check back every week for 10 new questions, until we get to 200! This quiz was developed by the Ann Arbor Bicentennial History Subcommittee and other Ann Arbor Contributors.
ANN ARBOR SMART TOURS
Your smartphone can give you access to fifteen self-guided online tours, each with its own theme. Each of the 177 tour sites includes a photograph and a narrative describing its significance to Ann Arbor. You are encouraged to spend the Bicentennial year visiting each site. Print a copy of the Tours Checklist to note each of your visits.
Washtenaw County Historical Society
PO Box 3336
Ann Arbor, MI 48106-3336
The Museum on Main Street
500 N. Main Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
734-662-9092
Open Saturdays & Sundays
12 Noon - 4 pm