- Attraction: Kelsey Museum of Archaeology
- Location: 434 S State St, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
- Industry: Museum
- Website: https://lsa.umich.edu/kelsey
Most University of Michigan students walk past this archaeological treasure daily without realizing what ancient wonders lie just steps away from their classrooms.
The Kelsey Museum houses a collection of more than 100,000 artifacts from countries around the Mediterranean Sea, including Egypt, Greece, and Italy, making it one of the most significant archaeological collections in the Midwest.
The museum is a unit of the University of Michigan’s College of Literature, Science, and the Arts and has been quietly preserving these ancient civilizations since 1928, when it was founded to honor Latin professor Francis Kelsey’s vision of bringing the ancient world to life for his students.
The museum is accessible to the public via the entrance on Maynard Street.
It is closed on Mondays and university holidays. What makes this hidden gem even more remarkable is that admission to the Kelsey Museum, including special exhibitions, is always free, though donations are welcomed to support ongoing preservation efforts.
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Keep Exploring →Ancient Masterpieces & Daily Life Artifacts
The Villa of the Mysteries Room: The museum’s crown jewel transports you directly to ancient Pompeii through stunning life-sized watercolor replicas of the famous Villa of the Mysteries frescoes.
In 1925, Kelsey commissioned the Italian artist Maria Barosso to paint a set of watercolor replicas of the murals of the Villa of the Mysteries at Pompeii, and these masterful reproductions now occupy their own dedicated gallery space. The recreation of a roomful of frescoes from Pompeii is a not to be missed experience, depicting mysterious women’s rituals that have fascinated scholars for over a century.
Egyptian Mummy Collection: You’ll encounter authentic Egyptian mummies, including one of a child between two and three years old. It’s tightly wrapped in its original cloth and displayed in an exhibit that looks like a small cave. The museum also showcases a collection of Egyptian mummy masks and a colorfully-painted ancient Egyptian mummy coffin that demonstrates the artistry and beliefs surrounding ancient burial practices.
Karanis Collection: Some 45,000 daily-life objects from the Graeco-Roman Egyptian town of Karanis, the largest in the world outside of the Cairo Museum. These everyday items – from cooking pots to children’s toys – offer an intimate glimpse into how families lived under Roman rule in Egypt. I worked on a little tiny clay pig, something that a child made in Roman Egypt, notes one conservator, highlighting how these artifacts create personal connections across millennia.
Greek & Roman Treasures: The galleries showcase exquisite Greek red-figure vase painting and ancient Greek pottery; and ancient Roman sculpture. The collections of the museum are centered on works from ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. Quality of the pieces is excellent… many of the works on view are equal to pieces at much larger institutions.
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Discover MoreHidden Discoveries: Much of the museum’s collection are stored in drawers that the public are welcome to open, creating an interactive treasure hunt experience where you can uncover additional artifacts not displayed in the main cases.
Atmosphere & Setting
Historic Architecture Meets Modern Design: The building that now houses the museum was originally built for the Students’ Christian Association for religious services and other meetings and activities, constructed in 1891.
Newberry Hall was designated as a Michigan State Historic Site on August 13, 1971, and was added to the National Register of Historic Places on March 24, 1972. It is one of the oldest still-standing buildings on the University of Michigan campus. The glorious old building facade now guides the visitor to a modern and remarkable space that gives the collection the room it needs to speak to the visitors.
Intimate Gallery Experience: Located on a campus of the University of Michigan, this museum is not large. But the exhibits are thoughtfully chosen and so well executed. The manageable size creates a focused, contemplative environment where you can truly absorb each artifact’s significance without feeling overwhelmed.
Climate-Controlled Excellence: A new climate-controlled Sensitive Artifact Facility and Environment space was added to maintain “appropriate storage, humidity, and temperature requirements for optimal artifact longevity.” It was a peaceful and cool retreat from the summer heat, making it an ideal year-round destination.
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Keep Exploring →Other Considerations
Free Admission Value: Though the collection is concise, it is superbly curated, offering a glimpse at ancient cultures through the objects that people used in everyday life. The fact that this world-class collection costs nothing to experience makes it exceptional value, especially compared to major metropolitan museums that charge substantial admission fees.
Academic Atmosphere: The museum’s connection to the university adds to its academic atmosphere and research potential. It also serves as the headquarters of the University of Michigan’s graduate program in ancient Mediterranean art and archaeology, meaning you might encounter researchers and students actively working with the collection.
Parking & Accessibility: Parking is available on the street and in several nearby lots/garages. Since we visited when University of Michigan was out of session, I found street parking on State Street. The University of Michigan visitor lot at 400 Thompson St is very close to the Maynard entrance. All public areas of the Kelsey are wheelchair accessible. The Maynard Street entrance has ramp access and power-assist doors.
Family-Friendly Features: The Kelsey Museum occasionally runs family friendly events and offers large-print guides for our special exhibitions along with Sensory Friendly Kits can be borrowed for use by individuals affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Best Visit Times: Allow plenty of time to check out the exhibits. Well located and an easy walk from most other attractions in Ann Arbor. Visiting during University off-season provides easier parking and a quieter, more contemplative experience with the ancient artifacts.
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Discover MoreKelsey Museum of Archaeology
📍 434 S State St, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
