About Us

Mission Statement

The Public Museum is a collections-based educational organization that explores and celebrates the world and our place in it.

It seeks to educate and delight the public, contribute to the well-being of its community, and enhance the quality of life in West Michigan.

The Public Museum does this by

  • Collecting and preserving authentic objects of significance to the community,
  • Providing innovative services and outstanding programming that support and enrich the visitor experience, and
  • Offering opportunities for public discourse and personal engagement.

Staff contacts

Museum Director, Mary Esther Lee Grand Rapids Press Profile on Mary Esther Lee at MLive.com
Administration, Kerry Sitar
Collections, Marilyn Merdzinski
Exhibits, Tom Bantle
Hospitality, Convention Services and Visitor Services, Bob Vandermeer
Communications and Development, Rebecca Westphal
Research and Interpretation, Christian Carron
School Group / Adult Group Scheduling, groupscheduling@grmuseum.org
Membership Office, membership@grmuseum.org
Curiosity Shop, Diann Ames-Powell

Board of Directors, Friends of the Public Museum Foundation

Danny Gaydou, Chair
Carol Van Andel, Vice-Chair
Rich Noreen, Treasurer
Dale Robertson, Secretary
John Dean
John Canepa
Birgit M. Klohs
Donald Maine
Steele A. Taylor
Larry Titley
John Wheeler
Casey Wondergem
Kaplin Jones, Counsel