Public Museum’s Voigt House German Fest Offers Authentic Autumn Celebration “Under the Tent”

The Grand Rapids Public Museum's Voigt House Victorian Museum will host their annual German Fest October 3-4 under the tent on the front lawn, one stop on the Heritage Hill Tour of Homes. Visitors will enjoy toe-tapping German music as well as a selection of authentic libations and food including wiener schnitzel, bratwurst and apfel strudel prepared by Austrian native and Museum Chef Hans Dokl.

The Oktoberfest celebration will take place noon - 8 pm Saturday and noon - 6 pm Sunday at the Museum located at 50 College St. SE. Admission to the tent is free. Heritage Hill Tour of Homes ticket holders and Museum members may tour the Voigt House free of charge and those without tour tickets may pay regular admission prices ($3 for adults, $2 for seniors and children) for a guided tour of the historic home. Built in 1895 by prominent businessman Carl Voigt and now a property of the Public Museum, the Voigt House offers a fascinating glimpse into everyday life at the turn of the century. The home has been preserved with its original furnishings, carpets and silk wall-coverings, and is filled with personal possessions of the Voigt family. The opulent three-story home, its gardens and carriage house remain one of the more outstanding landmarks in the Heritage Hill district. The Voigt House Victorian Museum is open to the public on select days and times, for special events such as this.

Public Museum Announces Evening Hours, Special Package Pricing During Leonardo da Vinci Exhibit

Leonardo da Vinci: Machines in Motion brings to the Public Museum the largest exhibition of full-size machine replicas constructed according to da Vinci’s famous codices. On display September 5 – January 3, will be over 40 machines – 30 of them fully operational – including a revolving crane, an armored car, a robot, a bicycle, a printing press and a machine gun – built by a group of scientists and skilled craftsmen in Florence after an in-depth study of the master’s manuscripts. Visitors will be encouraged to touch and set the machines into motion, combining a fascinating hands-on experience with an exploration of the principles da Vinci employed to create each machine.

To make the exhibit more accessible, the Public Museum will extend its hours into the evening one week each month. Normally closed at 5 pm, the Museum will be open from 5 - 9 pm for da Vinci di Notte (Leonardo at Night) September 14-18; October 12-15; November 9-13 and December 28-31/January 2. The special evening ticket package includes Museum admission, special exhibit admission, a planetarium show, unlimited carousel rides and a pasta meal for just $12 per person. (Member price is $6.) A cash bar will also be available. The Public Museum is a collector of treasures, a motivator and resource for life-long learning, and a community partner in the pursuit of insight and understanding.