We are interested in all things Bungalow and are constantly on the search for them. We ran across the Michigan Historical Museum in Lansing while looking up such things on the web. One of the exhibits is a 1930’s Bungalow, so of course we had to hurry up and go see. It was about an hour and a half drive from the Detroit area, and what we found at the museum was definitely worth the trip and would be fun for the whole family.

The building itself is a modern, impressive building. We went on a Saturday, and there were only a handful of cars in the parking lot. Parking was free that day. Admission to the museum is also free.

The exhibits trace Michigan’s history from the time of the Native Americans to the 1960’s. Of particular interest to us was the 1930’s Bungalow, of course. This exhibit was very well executed. It’s on the third floor mezzanine of the museum. You walk up to the “house’s” front porch with its typical heavy columns. Outside, there is posted some information about kit homes, specifically Aladdin Homes and Sterling Homes, which were manufactured in Michigan. Crossing over the threshold into the living room, you see the familiar fireplace with built-ins on both sides. From the living room into the dining room, you pass between columned half-walls with more built-ins. The woodwork was very typical, while the furnishings were a mixture of contemporary and older styles. This would not have been unusual in real life, as people would have already had furniture in older styles by way of their parents and grandparents, for instance. Contrast this with the Victorian house exhibit on the second floor mezzanine, simplicity versus ornamentation!

Another good exhibit for the Arts and Crafts enthusiast is the Growth of Manufacturing exhibit which showcases many of the historic items manufactured in Michigan. Furniture was of particular interest, and there is a nice Arts and Crafts table on display.

Arts and Crafts aside, it was good to be reminded that Michigan has a rich history beyond the troubled automobile industry. For baby boomers like us, the 1950’s and 1960’s exhibits were both fun and nostalgic (check out the S&H store!).

If you’re looking for a quick little getaway that’s fun and cheap, we highly recommend taking advantage of this exceptional Michigan resource. Do you know of other museums that have bungalow exhibits? If so, we'd love to hear about them.