Exploring the Besser Museum: Alpena’s Hub of Art, History & Science

Welcome to the Besser Museum: A Hidden Gem in Northeast Michigan

If you’re cruising through northeastern Michigan and want to take in something off the beaten path but rich in stories, the Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan in Alpena is a must-stop. With a blend of fine art, geological treasures, local history, and hands-on science, it’s a place where all ages can wander, wonder, and learn. Over an eight-acre campus, the museum weaves together the tale of the region’s past, present, and future, all thanks to the legacy of industrialist Jesse Besser and a community committed to preserving heritage and igniting curiosity.

A Bit of Backstory: Jesse Besser & the Museum’s Origins

Jesse Besser (1882–1970) is central to this story. Born near Buffalo, New York, his family moved to northern Michigan when he was young. By his teenage years, they were in Alpena, helping run a shingle and stave mill. As the timber industry waned, the Bessers pivoted to cement and concrete machinery. Around 1904, Jesse redesigned block-making machinery, and over time turned that innovation into a globally recognized enterprise. When his father retired, Jesse assumed leadership and expanded the company wildly—especially during WWII, when Besser Manufacturing contributed to wartime production efforts.

In 1964, Jesse (and other contributors) gifted the community a museum in Alpena. The facility was intended not just as a vault of objects but as a living space of culture, discovery, and education. The museum has since expanded, professionalized, and earned accreditation via the American Alliance of Museums (AAM). Today, it’s recognized as the only AAM-accredited museum in Northern Michigan.

What You’ll See & Do: Exhibits to Explore

The Besser Museum is more than rows of glass cases. Its design encourages strolling, discovery, and engagement. Here’s a taste of what you shouldn’t miss.

Fine Art Gallery

The museum rotates pieces from its broad collection—oil, watercolor, print, sculpture, and more. Michigan artists like Tom Moran share walls with internationally renowned names such as Cézanne, Renoir, Picasso, Chihuly, Rivera, Dali, and Warhol.

1890s Avenue of Shops & Historic Village

One of the more whimsical (and immersive) parts of the museum is its recreation of a late 19th-century block of shops. The “Avenue of Shops” includes a vintage pharmacy window full of period bottles and paraphernalia. Beyond that, the grounds host five century-old buildings—Green School, Spratt Church, Maltz Exchange Bank, McKay Log Cabin, and more—that carry their own stories.

Natural / Wildlife Gallery

Downstairs, the Natural Wildlife Gallery features Michigan’s native and non-native fish (especially of the Great Lakes), mounted specimens from around the world, and displays of regional flora and fauna. It’s a quiet, contemplative space for connecting with natural history.

Fossil Park & Devonian Dig

One of the most hands-on draws is the outdoor Lafarge Fossil Park, where visitors can dig Devonian-era fossils (roughly 416–358 million years ago) and keep what they find. The limestone under Alpena is rich in marine fossils, though because cartilage doesn’t fossilize the most common finds are filter-feeding organisms. The museum grounds also feature a large mural depicting the Devonian period by artist Judy Dawley, tying landscape and science together.

Fisheries & Great Lakes Heritage

Alpena sits on the edge of “Shipwreck Alley,” and the museum serves as a stakeholder for the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. In its Great Lakes Fisheries Heritage Exhibit, you’ll find artifacts, fishing gear, and historic vessels like the Katherine V, a wooden fish tug built in 1928 which is believed to be the last intact wooden vessel of its kind and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

They’re also working with a retired DNR research vessel, the Chinook, and tie in stories of commercial, sport, and ecological change on the Great Lakes.

Industrial & Local History

Given its origins, Besser’s museum doesn’t shy from industry. Exhibits trace Jesse Besser’s machine designs (even the original block machine is on display), and document Alpena’s evolution from logging and farming to concrete technology and beyond. You can also see the 1911 Alpena Flyer automobile and other artifacts from the Alpena Motor Car Company.

The “Discover Northeast Michigan History: Big Bang to Big Industry” exhibit walks visitors from prehistoric times, through Native American artifacts, early colonial eras, and the region’s economic development.

A majestic two-story Foucault pendulum swings in the main lobby, offering a visual demonstration of Earth’s rotation.

Planetarium / Sky Theater

In 2016, the museum upgraded its aging electromechanical planetarium system to a modern, full-dome digital display. This allows for immersive sky shows, astronomy education, and expanded programming. The dome seats about 51 people.

Visitor Info — What to Know Before You Go

Hours & Admission

The museum lists Monday through Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. as typical hours. Some sources show seasonal or adjusted hours (10 a.m.-4 p.m.) so it’s wise to check the museum’s website before you go. 

Admission is modest, check website for current admission costs and specials. Planetarium shows often require separate tickets.

Parking & Accessibility

Free parking is available in front, west side, and via the ACC (Alpena Community College) parking lot. A red bridge gives pedestrian access across to museum grounds. The museum is wheelchair accessible, and wheelchairs are available free (first come, first served).

Visitor Policies

• Use “museum manners” — look don’t touch.
• Still photography (personal use) is permitted (no flash, no tripods) except in special exhibitions.
• No food or drink in galleries; no smoking/vaping.
• Pets are not allowed unless certified service animals.
• Baby strollers are fine.

The museum encourages child engagement through hands-on exhibits and fossil digs, making it friendly for families.

Tips & Highlights

• Plan enough time. While 1–2 hours might cover the basics, if you want to delve into art, fossils, and a planetarium show, plan for 2–3 hours or more.
• Check show times. Planetarium shows have set times and may sell out, so it’s smart to arrive early or reserve.
• Dig early. At the Fossil Park especially, starting early often yields better finds before others have cleared the surface.
• Look up overhead. Don’t miss the pendulum swinging high in the lobby—it’s both beautiful and scientific.
• Seasonal events. The museum’s Fall Harvest Festival is a local favorite. Past years have included glacier quarry tours, demonstrations at the concrete technology center, and guided fossil hunts.
• Special exhibitions. Because the fine art gallery rotates, you may catch unique shows or traveling collections. Call ahead or check the site for current exhibits.

Why the Besser Museum Matters

In an era when “destination museums” tend to cluster in big cities, the Besser Museum in Alpena stands out as a regional treasure. It threads together stories of nature, innovation, industry, art, and community in a setting that’s accessible, welcoming, and lively. Whether you’re a fossil hunter, art lover, science nerd, or family with curious kids, there’s something for you here.

Visiting the Besser Museum isn’t just about seeing objects behind glass—it’s about experiencing layers of northern Michigan’s identity. You’ll walk across an 1890s street, peek into old log cabins, swing by a planetarium, dig in ancient seas, and gaze upon fine art. And beneath it all is the idea that history and creativity are lives shared between past and present.

So next time your travels bring you through Alpena or somewhere nearby, set aside an afternoon for Besser. You might come for a fossil, but you’ll also leave with a deeper appreciation of this region’s story.