The Jim Crow Museum at Ferris State

One of the more remarkable places in Big Rapids is the Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia, at Ferris State University. It holds the country’s largest public collection of racist objects — everyday items, advertisements, and images that pushed harmful stereotypes about Black Americans from the segregation era onward.

The museum isn’t a celebration of any of that; its stated purpose is the opposite — to use these objects to teach, to spark honest conversation about racism, and to highlight the people who resisted it. It was founded by Ferris professor David Pilgrim and opened to the public in 2012; the university is building a larger home for it, and it draws scholars, students, and visitors from around the country and the world.

It’s a sober, thought-provoking stop, and a genuine point of pride and reflection for the community. Admission is free; hours and the new building’s status are on the Ferris State website.