CULTURE + ENTERTAINMENT
“WE FEATURE A LOT ABOUT THE LAKOTA
CHIEFS FROM THE AREA.” STUART SCHMIDT
In 2015 Stuart and Lisa did a lot of renovations themselves, adding a 40-by-60 foot structure to the end of the building, creating a new entrance, and building a new gift shop. The pair had previously visited other museums across the United States and took notes about pros and cons of each location. “We always pointed out and thought about the things that we liked about each one and how we would do it, or how we would do it
differently,” said Stuart. “And we had the freedom to do that because we were in that management position.” With skills like carpentry and design, Stuart says they built all of the exhibits themselves, and jokes if guests don’t like it, they’re the ones to blame. “That's one thing about our museum that is different,” he said. “It matures as we go along.”
The Grand River Museum has a variety of displays, and Stuart says people are drawn to different elements—some love the Native American history, some veer towards the fossils, and others have memories of homesteading in their families. “Guests will tell stories of how a certain display had affected them or their family, or how they were involved in this certain event, so it stirs up a lot of conversation,” he said.
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