New Initiatives Underway At The C.S. Museum

CEDAR SPRINGS — Nearly 50 years after a one-room schoolhouse became its home, the Cedar Springs Historical Museum has continued to expand its role as the community’s keeper of stories, from railroad and lumbering heydays to family names traced across continents.

The museum was born in 1975, when the Cedar Springs Historical Society was given the former Payne School in Morley Park. For about 25 years, the one-room schoolhouse served as the local museum, packed with artifacts and mementos of the town.

With fundraising and donations from the community, the Historical Society was able to build a larger building next to the schoolhouse. It would only take about seven years to outgrow that space, however, so the museum began to raise funds once again.

Today, visitors who walk through the doors of the museum get an overview of Cedar Springs’ past: its railroad and lumbering industries, its newspapers dating back to 1869, and its long tradition of military and public services.

The museum’s main room honors the region’s farming roots and local public servants, highlighting the everyday people who shaped the community. The very same people who are honored in the annual Cedar Springs Area Chamber of Commerce's "Celebration of Lights" ceremony.

Although the museum moved into its newer building, the historical society did not leave its original home behind. Payne School was restored as a turn-of-the-century one-room schoolhouse, now offered as a teaching classroom for local schools who are encouraged to bring their students for a visit. The schoolhouse includes materials for teachers to help develop hands-on, historically themed lessons and activities, which affords the students an opportunity to have a session of their class right there in the historic building.

Today, the historical society continues its operations, including a genealogy library that draws interest from well beyond Kent County. The collection holds histories from Cedar Springs and surrounding communities, county histories and extensive family genealogy resources, including a surname file. Volunteers regularly assist visitors with research and sometimes respond to requests from overseas.

For museum Director, Sharon Jett, the site is more than a house of history. It's a "broad community resource, for genealogy but also for historical records, photographs, local school history, including sports and academic history, and more," she stated. "The museum has also played host to many community clubs and organizations," she continued.

Once a hub of activity, many of the museum's programs and clubs were stifled by the Covid-19 pandemic from 2020 through 2022. Now, with a few new faces and fresh ideas, the historical society is set on reengaging the community in 2026. Jett is already working to restart the Genealogy Club, which was established in 2020 but was affected by the pandemic. The club is intended for anyone interested in digging deeper than online ancestry websites typically allow.

Additionally, the museum board is considering additional clubs, both previously held and new clubs. New programming and events, including an interactive Christmas walkthrough are also being planned to give the community more ways to engage in their local museum and the resources it provides.

Community members who would like to join or help start a club are encouraged to contact the museum by email. The museum is also always seeking new volunteers. If you're interested in volunteering your time to the museum, you can contact Sharon Jett at cedarspringsmuseum@gmail.com.

The museum is currently open Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and is free to visit. Additional operating hours will be communicated as they become needed to serve the public. It also opens for special events and by appointment for private tours.