Flat River Historical Society and Museum

Flat River Historical Society and Museum Phone: 616-754-5296 Email: [email protected] The Museum is located in the most historic area of Greenville.

It was here that John Green, of Fulton County, New York, built a dam across the Flat River in 1844, with the help of his brother-in-law, Samuel Demorest and Demorest's sons. Once finished with the dam they built a sawmill to utilize the vast nearby forest of white pine to furnish lumber for the incoming settlers. Within a short time a grist mill, tannery and foundry were also constructed near the dam to take advantage of the harnessed waterpower and to meet the needs of a growing settlement.

This Saturday and Sunday, May 2nd and 3rd, is the "Spring Into the Past" weekend tour of small-town museums who are memb...
04/29/2026

This Saturday and Sunday, May 2nd and 3rd, is the "Spring Into the Past" weekend tour of small-town museums who are members of the Tri-River Historical Museum Network. The museums in the southern part of the network are featured this year but many others are open as well. With the theme "Tracing our Routes: Roads, RIvers, Rails and Trails" each group showcases its community history in a variety of ways in celebration of our country's 250th Anniversary.. Our Flat River Museum will be open its usual hours (Sat/Sun from 2:00 to 4:30) with the history of the Gibson Refrigeration Company highlighted in a special exhibit. Fighting Falcon Military Museum will be open Sunday from 2-4:30. Belding Museum will be open Saturday 11-4 and Sunday 1-4. Edmore's Pine Forest Museum will be open 11-4 Saturday, 2-4 Sunday.

The Flat River Museum is open for the season Saturdays and Sundays from 2:00 to 4:30 pm This banner outside the staff do...
04/08/2026

The Flat River Museum is open for the season Saturdays and Sundays from 2:00 to 4:30 pm This banner outside the staff door is your invitation to come and visit our new exhibit, "The Gibson Story", and learn about its factories, families and final farewell. The last appliances off the assembly line that were signed by employees are on display! Do YOU have a Gibson story? Please share it with us!

So pleased and grateful to have these helpers get our Victorian Garden ready for spring. Thanks so much for all those h...
04/06/2026

So pleased and grateful to have these helpers get our Victorian Garden ready for spring. Thanks so much for all those helped! It is much appreciated!

Happy Easter from Flat River Historical Museum Board of Directors. Wishing you the beauty of springtime and the promise...
04/04/2026

Happy Easter from Flat River Historical Museum Board of Directors. Wishing you the beauty of springtime and the promise of brighter days.

Happy St. Patrick's Day from Flat River Historical Museum Board of Directors
03/17/2026

Happy St. Patrick's Day from Flat River Historical Museum Board of Directors

We were excited to welcome local third graders to the museum recently. Our wonderful volunteers do a great job with the ...
03/15/2026

We were excited to welcome local third graders to the museum recently. Our wonderful volunteers do a great job with the hands-on activities! Click the pictures to learn more.

What a great event last night at the museum! The new exhibit with signed refrigerators will be open for the new season w...
03/04/2026

What a great event last night at the museum! The new exhibit with signed refrigerators will be open for the new season when we open April 11.

A special Valentine for our many Volunteers who give of their time and energy to guide visitors at the museum and/or to ...
02/14/2026

A special Valentine for our many Volunteers who give of their time and energy to guide visitors at the museum and/or to give their assistance when we have students for enrichment activities. (WE are the winners, because we can’t do what we do without you!) Thank you!

JOIN US for a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Flat River Historical Museum as we unveil a new exhibit remembering Gibson ...
02/05/2026

JOIN US for a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Flat River Historical Museum as we unveil a new exhibit remembering Gibson Refrigeration—marking 20 years since the last refrigerator rolled off the line.
This exhibit reflects the stories of industry, families, and farewell, celebrating the impact Gibson Refrigeration had on our community. The project was partially funded by an America250MI Grant, helping preserve this important chapter of local history.
📅 March 3, 2026
⏰ Ribbon Cutting at 4:00 PM
🏛 Exhibit open until 8:00 PM
The museum will open for the 2026 season on April 11.
We invite the community to attend and celebrate this meaningful piece of Flat River history.
PLEASE SHARE... HELP US SPREAD THE WORD.

Happy Birthday, John Green!
02/04/2026

Happy Birthday, John Green!

We are so excited! A new exhibit is being installed to mark 20 years since the last refrigerator rolled off the line at ...
02/04/2026

We are so excited! A new exhibit is being installed to mark 20 years since the last refrigerator rolled off the line at Electrolux in Greenville. More details soon about a special ceremony on March 3! Save the date!

A big thanks to Larry’s Northtown for their generous assistance in returning the signed refrigerators to the museum after years in storage. Our new exhibit is partially funded by an America250MI grant.

Thank you for your support in 2025 and watch for news of a special exhibit opening in 2026. Have a happy and safe New Ye...
12/31/2025

Thank you for your support in 2025 and watch for news of a special exhibit opening in 2026. Have a happy and safe New Year and be kind to one another!

Address

213 N Franklin Street
Greenville, MI
48838

Opening Hours

Saturday 2pm - 4:30pm
Sunday 2pm - 4:30pm

Telephone

(616) 754-5296

Website

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