History of the Museum

The Argus Museum was established by Ann Arbor-area developer, William Martin, and O’Neal Construction owner, Joe O’Neal. It opened in the original Argus building when the pair purchased it for O’Neal Construction in 1985. Martin and O’Neal knew the historic significance of the building, so they gave their partnership the name C3 Partners representing one of the most recognizable cameras from Argus, the C3. The two men then purchased the Don Wallace Collection as the foundation of the Museum’s collection in 1987. Wallace was a former Argus employee and long-time collector of the company’s products.



The Museum is housed on the second floor of the original building where International Radio Corporation made radios, and its successor company, Argus Cameras Inc., made photographic equipment. It holds examples of Kadette radios, Argus cameras, prototypes and accessories from throughout its history. Argus’s contribution to the war effort is told through sighting devices, prisms and an Army-Navy 'E' Award earned during World War II. Archives include business newsletters, company photographs and documents, advertisements, and product manuals. A notable resource in the archives are copies of "Argus Eyes", the company’s employee newsletter, which included company and personal employee milestones including births, marriages, retirements, and anniversaries. Staff members have been working on collecting oral histories from Argus employees and their families. 


Today the Museum hosts photography exhibitions and the annual Argus Collector Group Fall Conference. They also work closely with other local museums such as the Yankee Air Museum and Michigan Military Technical and Historical Society to create collaborative exhibitions. The Argus Museum has recently worked with photographers Adrian Wylie of Ann Arbor; Robert Beech of Ypsilanti, a former Artist-in-Residence at Gettysburg National Battleground Park; and Thomas Nighswander of Ann Arbor to bring new photo exhibitions into the gallery.


The mission of the Argus Museum is to collect, preserve, and interpret the significance of Argus cameras, corporate history and personnel; To collect and share stories of the inventiveness of Argus in order to grow appreciation for and be inspired by this work; To enlighten others as to how Argus products, its work, and its company personnel are a significant reflection of our culture, historical eras, and its greater community; To provoke an awareness of photography as a form of art and communication as envisioned by the Argus company; To solicit and receive grants, contributions, and other monies and properties, to enter into contracts, and to engage necessary personnel and services, and to transfer, hold, and invest such real property as may be required to carry out the purposes of this organization.


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