Annual report highlight: Your history
June 24, 2024Heritage Museum of Newaygo County
If you haven’t been to the museum in downtown Newaygo in a few years, then you haven’t been to the museum. After a dramatic renovation and rebranding, the Heritage Museum of Newaygo County is spacious, bright, and a perfect combination of new and historic. It features engaging exhibits, multi-functional meeting spaces, a gift shop showcasing local art, and more.
“We want to be a center for the community,” said Steven Radtke, executive director. “We’re proud of creating a space everyone can engage in and where everyone can come to learn.”
The museum highlights some of the most significant events, features, and industries in Newaygo County’s history. Adults and students are also welcomed regularly for classes, lectures, and educational programs. A 2023 grant from the Community Foundation helped fund more interactive displays.
“There’s a perception that history has no relevance to today or that museums are old and uninteresting,” said Steven. “We’re working to combat that. We’re breaking apart the idea of a dusty, old museum.”
Steven brought a lifelong love of history to his position in 2018, along with extensive experience in exhibit design. “When this job came up, it was right up my alley,” he said. “It’s been rewarding to work with the community, be part of the community, and make something that the community can be proud of.”