Friends and Supporters of Kingman Museum,

Kingman Museum has stood in Battle Creek for 150 years as a place where natural history, science, and culture come together to inspire curiosity and learning for all ages. Yet today, our future is being challenged by decisions at both the federal and state levels that directly threaten museums and cultural institutions across Michigan.

As many of you know, President Donald J. Trump and House Republicans, through Executive Order and legislative action, have moved to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). This has already disrupted museums and libraries across the country by halting grants, laying off staff, and placing long-term support at risk.

Closer to home, Speaker Matt Hall and the Michigan House Republicans eliminated funding for the Michigan Arts and Culture Council (MACC) in the House budget passed just before Labor Day weekend. MACC typically provides more than $11 million in grants each year across all 83 counties. If these cuts stand, they will jeopardize jobs, weaken local economies that depend on cultural tourism, and force museums, theaters, and community programs to reduce or even cancel services.

I have already met with State Representative Steve Frisbie and will soon meet with State Senator Thomas Albert. These conversations are focused not only on restoring MACC funding, but also on building alternative strategies with Kingman—partnering with schools, private institutions, foundations, and corporations to ensure we can continue serving our youth with curriculum tied to our more than 20,000 artifacts collected over 150 years.

In 2023, the Michigan Legislature approved $1.7 million through House Bill 4437 (CR-1) for Kingman Memorial Museum Building Structural Repairs in Battle Creek. These renovations, managed by the City, are ongoing—but it is still uncertain whether Kingman will return to that building when repairs are complete. To safeguard our future, we are also actively exploring alternative locations, including privately held commercial properties within Battle Creek.

I have requested a meeting with Representative Bill Huizenga to discuss these issues and the way forward for Kingman Museum, but I have not yet heard back.

💡 Here’s where you can help:

Please contact Rep. Bill Huizenga and State Senator Thomas Albert and urge them to meet with me, Patrick Barnett, President of the Board of Directors at Kingman Museum, to begin working together on solutions for Kingman’s future. Your voices matter, and together we can make sure Kingman continues to serve our community for generations to come.
- Rep. Bill Huizenga: Contact Form | DC Office: (202) 225-4401 | Portage Office: (269) 569-8595
- Sen. Thomas Albert: Contact Form | Office: (517) 373-1734 | Toll-Free: (855) 347-8018 | Email: sentalbert@senate.michigan.gov
In lieu of our usual fall funding campaign, we are asking our community to help us reach a $9,000 fall campaign goal. These funds will support safe storage of Kingman’s collection at the Battle Creek Regional History Museum and advance economic development as we prepare to partner with a soon-to-be-announced commercial space for Kingman’s next chapter.

👉 You can make a donation here: Curiosity Returns; Kingman Reimagined

Tag your networks, share this post, and let’s make sure Kingman Museum’s future remains strong.

Patrick Barnett and Rebecca Learner
President and Vice President, Board of Directors
Kingman Museum

Curiosity Returns; Kingman Reimagined

By Kingman Museum Inc

Curiosity Returns; Kingman Reimagined

From safe storage to a new space for discovery