Muskegon Museum of Art

History Brief
At his death in 1905, lumber baron Charles H. Hackley created, through a bequest to Muskegon Public Schools,
and the expendable trust fund to purchase “paintings of the best kind” for display in Hackley Library, which was owned
and operated by the School Board. When it became apparent that a true art collection needed a home of its own, the
Muskegon Board of Education decided to honor Charles Hackley and his gift by constructing an art gallery.
Construction began in 1911 and was completed in 1912. In 1979, ground was broken for a $1.6 million addition to
the Hackley Art Gallery, funded by the L.C. & Margaret Walker Foundation. Construction was completed in 1980
and with that, the museum’s name was changed from the Hackley Art Gallery to the Muskegon Museum of Art. As
part of the Museum’s 2012 centennial celebration, a capital campaign was launched to raise funds for the future
financial security of the Museum in anticipation of its separation from Muskegon Public Schools, which was
planned beginning in 2010 and was completed June 30, 2014. Over $7.5 million has been raised so far for this fund.