Research & Local History

The Museum's collection is a valuable tool for local history researchers. Of particular interest is the Museum's collection of 12,000 photographs and 10,000 documents, most of which are associated with Kalamazoo and Kalamazoo County from 1830 to 1950. Many of our most requested images can be viewed on-line.

Requests for local genealogical information should begin at the Kalamazoo Public Library Local History Room and the Archives and Regional History Collection at Western Michigan University. The Kalamazoo Valley Museum collection has limited genealogical material but staff will do a database search on request.

The Collections Staff is available, Monday-Friday, to answer local history questions and assist researchers with access to collection materials. All research requests must be made 3-5 days in advance by calling or writing a member of the collections staff. We regret that we cannot accommodate walk-in research requests.