The Muskegon Heritage Museum of Business & Industry invites the public to its first Community Day of the season on Saturday, May 3, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Themed “The Music That Won the War,” this free-admission day will explore how music uplifted spirits and inspired patriotism during World War II.

 

Visitors will have the chance to listen to period tunes, learn about popular wartime music’s impact on both the battlefield and the home front, and discover how Muskegon’s own Brunswick Corporation played a role in supporting the war effort through the music industry.

 

“This event offers a meaningful way to honor Muskegon’s history and reflect on the powerful role music played during one of the most pivotal eras in our nation’s past,” said Kirk Bunke, Site Manager of the Muskegon Heritage Museum of Business & Industry. “It’s an engaging, family-friendly experience, and best of all, admission is completely free.”

 

May’s event is just the beginning. As part of the 2025 Community Day series, the museum will host themed open house days once a month, each one commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Each date features a unique theme tied to Muskegon’s wartime history, local industry, and the lives of everyday Americans during the 1940s.

 

2025 Community Day Schedule

 

  • Saturday, May 3: The Music That Won the War 

  • Saturday, June 7: The War That Moved a Nation

  • Saturday, July 5: Stamps, Sugar, and Sacrifice: Rationing During WWII

  • Saturday, August 2: We Can Do It! Women in WWII

  • Saturday, September 6: Air Raid Wardens & Blackout Drills: Civil Defense in WWII

  • Saturday, October 4: From Battlefield to Home Front: What Happened When Soldiers Came Home

 

This year, Community Days are sponsored by RENK America, with additional support from Eagle Alloy, Inc., Hines Corporation, and Swanson Pickle Co. All Community Days run from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and offer free admission to the museum. Each event features themed displays, activities, and exhibits designed to engage all ages while honoring Muskegon’s contributions to the war effort.

 

For more information and a full calendar of events, visit lakeshoremuseum.org/calendar.