Towsley Museum
I am planning a trip up to Michigan and will be driving by Ann Arbor. I wanted to stop and get some pictures of trophies, win wall, etc. I cannot seem to find hours or days it is open. Figured I would come to the all knowing here to see if someone could help me out. Thanks in advance.
February 19th, 2024 at 6:01 PM ^
It looks like it's closed to the public right now- I think it has been for a while.
https://mgoblue.com/sports/2017/6/16/fanzone-towsley-museum-html
February 19th, 2024 at 6:17 PM ^
What's the point of a museum for the fans that's closed all the time?
February 19th, 2024 at 6:28 PM ^
Surely we are allowed to have the museum version of Major Major, no? A museum that's there but that no one can actually see (possibly until it has left)?
February 19th, 2024 at 7:14 PM ^
Don't forget he was promoted, so was Major Major Major Major.
February 19th, 2024 at 11:37 PM ^
Thanks, Warde
February 20th, 2024 at 12:53 PM ^
Did anyone call their number on their website and ask why they are closed?
February 21st, 2024 at 10:24 AM ^
I called the number and it said "You have reached a non-working number at the University of Michigan" So I guess that answers all my questions.. LOL
February 19th, 2024 at 6:10 PM ^
I think it is now permanently closed to the public. I don't know why they can't open it at least some days during the year for tours. Seems like a way to give the middle finger to your fans.
February 19th, 2024 at 6:19 PM ^
Probably closed it around the time they put up the privacy screens around the practice fields.
Too many spies.
February 20th, 2024 at 1:11 AM ^
Was that in May 2022, right about when we hired a certain Naval cadet?
February 19th, 2024 at 6:28 PM ^
I didn't know that it had a name. You might be able to walk into Yost Fieldhouse and see some of the hockey trophies.
February 19th, 2024 at 6:43 PM ^
Good idea (although I don't know if it's open other than on game days).
There's a great collection of trophies, photos, and memorabilia in those Yost trophy cases, I highly recommend to everyone taking the time to soak it all in.
February 19th, 2024 at 8:30 PM ^
It's open more often than you think because people are using the ice besides the hockey team. I used to go there before COVID when I was in town to the noon skate and skate during lunch hour. It used to cost only $2. I haven't gone since and I don't think it is on the same schedule that it used to be and I think they raised the price. They say that all good things must end some day. Autumn leaves must fall.
February 19th, 2024 at 6:39 PM ^
I had no idea he had a museum on campus.
February 19th, 2024 at 7:01 PM ^
It makes zero sense to me why they put so much money into that museum so as to close it to the public for years at a time. Typical Michigan Athletics attitude of "because we don't feel like it."
Also see: Michigan Stadium being locked up like Fort Knox. How much goodwill was built up over the decades through letting people see the place on a weekday? Go past there most days when it's nice outside and you'll invariably see someone peering through the gates. Not to mention the step-runners losing out on what was maybe the best free workout in the city.
February 19th, 2024 at 8:24 PM ^
Used to love going into the stadium and playing catch on the field.
February 19th, 2024 at 8:32 PM ^
I'm sure they use it to woo recruits but it does reinforce the impression that Michigan Athletics is not accessible to the average alumnus who wasn't blessed with athletic talent.
February 20th, 2024 at 8:37 AM ^
I went to the stadium in the middle of the night in 1975. Walked down the tunnel expecting to hit a fence at some point, but nope, popped out on the 50 yard line. Glorious- highlight of my Freshman year. (Might have been influenced by the schrooms).
February 19th, 2024 at 8:51 PM ^
I used to bring kids we were recruiting there all the time. All I had to do was challenge a kid to a 40 race and everyone lit with joy. We even brought kids into the old press box frequently.
Shame to hear they shut it down.
February 19th, 2024 at 9:43 PM ^
I lit up with joy when you lent me your comb.
February 20th, 2024 at 9:44 AM ^
+1 for a comment that will slip past most.
February 19th, 2024 at 10:39 PM ^
Same here, but it was all renovated in 2014. From secrecy to needing an update, there's plenty of reasons to not open Schembechler Hall for right now.
What we need is a comprehensive museum and honorific program that updates everything to 2023 with room to grow in the future. History has been made, and will be made again.
The stadium should absolutely be open as well. I used to play catch with my dad there, and it got closed after the 2007 season due to the additions and never re-opened. It's public land, it should always be open.
February 20th, 2024 at 10:04 AM ^
I get it, but "secrecy" is such a joke argument for this. What do they think, someone is going to wander up from the museum and steal a playbook? I know paranoia is high (see: the need to put up ridiculous walls of black netting everywhere near the football building), but it's a freaking museum that was already more or less closed for years before the Athletic Department paid to renovate it so people could see it.
February 19th, 2024 at 7:06 PM ^
Unfortunately, it is not open to the public. Video tour (by MVictors) from 4 years ago here:
February 19th, 2024 at 9:32 PM ^
That was cool.
Too bad the only people that can see it are probably big doners. The regular fans are just chattel to be milked and then herded away.
February 20th, 2024 at 8:16 AM ^
I think the only reason it was ever open to the public was that original endowment from the Margaret Dow Towsley (Yes That Dow) estate had specifically instructed that it was to be for ALL sports and OPEN to the public. Years later when that funding had run its course, and Schembechler Hall needed a renovation, those strings were cut, and Football did what it wanted.
February 20th, 2024 at 10:53 AM ^
I gotta say, the original museum in the 90s was a pretty cool space. Definitely dated very quickly, but they had something going.
February 21st, 2024 at 8:39 AM ^
Went there one time during Homecoming. I want to say 06, but I guess it could have been the 90’s. Cool place if you’re a Michigan fan. Saw Dan Dierdorf come into the building with his family. Cool story bro.
February 19th, 2024 at 9:18 PM ^
Can you see the CFP National Championship trophy anywhere? Where do they keep it?
February 19th, 2024 at 10:53 PM ^
Bank vault.
February 20th, 2024 at 12:36 PM ^
Not directly related but this reminded me ot The University of Michigan Art Museum.
I visited it during my orientation before attending school my freshman year. Later during my senior year at Michigan I read an article in The Daily saying that only 20% of graduating students visited the art museum.
I thought great now I only have a 20% chance of graduating.
February 21st, 2024 at 7:46 AM ^
I made a trip to Schembechler Hall with the intent to see the museum last year, and there was a hand-written note on the door that said that it was closed to the public "today". I thought it was closed just for the day, then started doing some research and found that it has been pretty much closed since Covid lockdowns. UM, at least set up a corner of the Bentley Library with some athletics memorabilia if the Towsley museum interferes too much with Schembechler Hall football activities!
February 23rd, 2024 at 1:11 PM ^
You know, it's hard enough getting a job in the Museum field without hearing about museums that aren't even open to the public!!
(Side note: do not get a master's degree in museum studies)