Volunteers Move 30,000 Artifacts to New Jim Crow Museum

When Ferris State University needed to move 30,000 artifacts documenting America's racist past, the community showed up in force to help carry history forward.

The Jim Crow Museum in Big Rapids, Michigan is relocating to a stunning new 26,000-square-foot facility set to open in fall 2026. Since early January, volunteers from campus and the surrounding community have been carefully transporting more than three decades worth of collected objects that teach tolerance through honest historical context.

David Pilgrim, Ferris State's Vice President for Diversity, Inclusion and Strategic Initiatives, celebrated the overwhelming support. "It's wonderful that so many people want to assist us with the process of safely moving our collection to the new museum," he shared.

The museum has already selected over 200 high-priority objects for its first exhibit called "Understanding Objects." This rotating display will encourage visitors to engage deeply with the artifacts' powerful messages about America's past and present.

Collections Manager Cyndi Tiedt noted this marks a milestone for the museum. "This is the first time we've ever done a comprehensive volunteer program at the museum," she explained. "Our volunteers are getting a crash course on museum preservation and we couldn't be more thankful for their help."

The Ripple Effect

The new standalone building near the State Street campus entrance represents more than just extra space. It provides state-of-the-art archives and research capabilities that will fuel expanded educational programming for years to come.

Tiedt emphasized how the upgraded facility will amplify the museum's mission. "Moving to this new building is going to be better and safer for the collection," she said. "It's going to allow us to expand the work we're doing and by both of those things, we can increase our reach and impact on the community."

With approximately 29,000 objects still awaiting transport and a late April deadline for the first batch, the museum continues welcoming volunteer sign-ups. The project demonstrates how preserving difficult history becomes possible when communities work together with care and purpose.

This collaborative spirit transforms a massive logistical challenge into an opportunity for hands-on education about preservation and social justice.