Former Grand Rapids Public Museum - Grand Rapids, Michigan
N 42° 57.709 W 085° 39.845
16T E 608956 N 4757440
The simple angular detailing of this building emphasizes the Moderne (late Art Deco) style.
Waymark Code: WMPNA0
Location: Michigan, United States
Date Posted: 09/25/2015
Views: 2
Opened to the public in 1940 with a corner stone date of 1938, 54 Jefferson was designed by Grand Rapids architect Roger Allen. It was one of the last projects to be funded by the W.P.A. in response to the Great Depression, and served as home to the Grand Rapids Public Museum until 1994.
The exterior is faced on the south and west sides with broad and smooth surfaced limestone above a base of polished black granite. The main entrance has paired projecting bays on either side of the symmetrically balanced façade. There are two glass display units framed by the polished black granite flanking the entry, with glass block windows above, and three more display units on the south side of the building.
An art deco masterpiece more similar in style to a movie theatre of the period than a traditional museum, it was designed to be "As Accessible as a Dime Store, as Friendly as a Next-Door Neighbor."
Style: Art Deco
Structure Type: Culture/Entertainment
Architect: Roger Allen
Date Built: 1940
Supporting references: Not listed
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