This Little White Building Is Grand Rapids’ Oldest Building

I often pass this little white law office next to a school with a confusing name. Attempting to learn about this school has led me to two intriguing discoveries:

1. The Public Museum High School is a high school in the former public museum, now funded by the Grand Rapids Public Museum. This identity crisis has confounded me for many years.
2.  This tiny white law office and its subsequent little park is Grand Rapids' oldest building, and the park features a seemingly random statue of Abraham Lincoln.

Public Museum High School and Calkins

Calkins Law Office

The Calkins Law Office, located on the corner of Washington and State Streets, is Grand Rapids' oldest frame building in the Grand River Valley. The building, with its Greek-inspired pillars, was built in 1836.

Per its namesake, the building served as a Law Office for Charles Philo Calkins before eventually being turned into a museum, a place of residence, and now a place of appreciation.

READ MORE: How Residents Get Mail on Mackinac Island

Lincoln Park

Not to be mistaken for the band, the park where the Calkins Law Office is located is also a historic part of Grand Rapids. Originally called State Street Park, the park was renamed Lincoln Park after Grand Rapids received a statue of Abraham Lincoln from Loraine Pratt Immen.

Lincoln Park, in Grand Rapids, Michigan

The office was not originally located in Lincoln Park but was moved there in 1971 and was then restored in 1976, celebrating the U.S.'s 200th birthday.

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You can view the outside and learn more about the building on location.