The Muskegon Heritage Museum of Business & Industry will host “The War that Moved a Nation,” a special free-admission Community Day Saturday event on June 7, 2025, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.

This engaging program will explore the powerful societal shifts sparked by World War II and shine a light on a pivotal chapter in Muskegon’s history. Visitors will learn how Muskegon became a destination during the Second Great Migration, when African American and Latino workers moved north to meet the urgent demands of the wartime industry. 

Through immersive exhibits and storytelling, guests will discover how these often-overlooked communities played a vital role in fueling the local and national war effort.

“We really wanted to tell the stories that don’t always make it into the textbooks,” said Muskegon Heritage Museum of Business & Industry Site Manager Kirk Bunke. “A lot of people came to Muskegon during the war, looking for work and a better life, and they ended up making a big impact on this community. This event is about honoring that.”

“The War that Moved a Nation” invites attendees to reflect on the diverse contributions that shaped both the home front and the broader trajectory of American society. The program will feature interactive displays, historical artifacts, and first-hand accounts of the lives and labor that supported victory overseas.

This family-friendly event takes place on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at the Muskegon Heritage Museum of Business and Industry, and is free to the public. This event will run from 11am until 4pm.

These family-friendly events are open to all ages and provide a hands-on, engaging look at history through the lens of local industry and personal stories. “The War that Moved a Nation” is part of the Lakeshore Museum Center’s special World War II-themed Saturday series, held on the first Saturday of each month from May through October. This year’s Community Day series is sponsored by RENK, and “The War that Moved a Nation” is additionally sponsored by Hines Corporation. 

For more information about the Lakeshore Museum Center family of museums, visit our website and lakeshoremuseum.org.