Muskegon History And Beyond With The Lakeshore Museum Center

During World War II the Muskegon chapter of the Red Cross was looking for a new home. They found a home at the old Hackley House, which was donated to them by Erie, daughter of Charles and Julia. Listen in as we talk about how the Red Cross operated in this historic house and what services they provided during wartime.

Nestled in a small lot in downtown Muskegon, the Monet Garden is a piece of tranquility in a busy city. This garden is a tribute to Claude Monet the famous French impressionist painter and his garden in France. This episode will explain how this local garden came to be and what existed on that spot before it was transformed. Lakeshore Garden Masters Website:https://www.lakeshoregardenmasters.org/To donate to the garden:https://cffmc.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=2081

Did you know that Muskegon in the 1880s had a mini salt boom? Always trying to diversify their business and the towns industry, many lumber barons followed the suit of Saginaw area barons who had great success drilling brine wells to produce salt. Today we look at where this salt came from, how it was produced, and why it ultimately never gained any long term footing in Muskegon.

Millions of years ago much of Michigan was covered in a shallow salt water sea. This sea would shape Michigan in many ways including what bedrock, fossils, and resources we would have. Today we learn all about this sea and the basin it created.

The Michigan Irish Music Festival occurs every year in Muskegon in September, and has become one of the largest Irish music festivals in the United States. In this interview we discuss the festivals history, how it operates, and how you can get involved. To find out more information, purchase tickets, or to volunteer check out: https://michiganirish.org/

Did you know that during WWII German prisoners worked on Muskegon farms? On this episode we will look at the reasons why they were here, and the lifelong connections that formed between the prisoners and farmers.

What began as Deer Park, a petting zoo with deer being a main attraction, would eventually add various rides and become the top attraction in West Michigan. Today we trace the history of Michigan's Adventure from its early days to today.

With the many rivers, streams, and creeks in Muskegon County, celery farming was a natural crop to try and grow. Much like other produce tried in our soils, celery farming would become a successful crop and Muskegon would lead the state of Michigan in celery production in the 1950s. In this episode we will trace the history of celery farming and learn how this grown was grown historically.

La Colonia was a community of Latinos that formed together during World War II at the Ryerson Heights project. Here these Latinos from all over the south and Mexico would bond together and create a cultural hub for themselves. Listen in as we share what life was like in La Colonia.

If you have a sweet tooth McDonald's Candies has you covered. McDonald's Candies started in Charles McDonald's basement and from there grew into the areas most well known chocolate and sweets destination.

One of the oldest churches still in operation in Muskegon, St Paul's has a long history and connection to some of the most important people in our past. Following along as we learn about the history of this congregation and church.

In 1880s Muskegon if you were looking for some night life, the best place to go was Sawdust Flats. This part of town on the outskirts near the Muskegon River was the place were nearly anything went and you could find what you desired, however it also had a softer side in the day. Listen in to learn about this interesting area and its history.

On May 6, 2025 a millage will be on the ballot for the Lakeshore Museum Center for the construction of a new museum building and the renovation of the existing space into a collection and archival storage facility. In this episode museum director Melissa Horton explains what this millage entails, why it is needed, and how the community will be served by it if it passes. For more information e-mail info@preservemuskegon.com or visit https://lakeshoremuseum.org/2025millage/

In honor of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, the museum brings our newest exhibit, Home Front Heroes. Home Front Heroes looks at the effort of Muskegon County during the war. In this podcast episode we look at the Civilian Defense Corps which was in charge of dealing with air raids and drills, civil air patrol, and recruiting volunteers among many other roles.

On Christmas Day 1965, Sherman Poppen and his children would be sent outside to play. During this play session a new invention would be created that would become known as the Snurfer. On today's episode we look at the history of this invention and the sport it would go on to inspire.

In honor of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, the museum brings our newest exhibit, Home Front Heroes. Home Front Heroes looks at the effort of Muskegon County during the war. In this podcast episode we look at one of those efforts, the collection of milkweed pods for the war and what use they had.

Invasive species have for a long time made the Great Lakes and Michigan waterways their home. In our episode today learn about how some of these creatures found their way here, what is being done to stop them, and what you can do to help fight back against them and prevent their further spread.

John Wesley Moon came to Muskegon as a young man and started out in a sawmill eventually working his way up to being a sawmill owner. Moon would later expand his portfolio into many other Muskegon businesses such as The Alaska Refrigerator Company and Muskegon Chemical Fire Engine Company. Moon was a prominent politician though serving at the state and national level.

When the ice and snow cover our area many of us stay inside and find indoor activities to keep us entertained. Ice boaters however spend as much time outside as they can enjoying the frozen waters. Listen in to learn about what ice boats are, and for just how long they have been gliding across our ice. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/patrick-horn/support

Known for her incredibly kindness and willingness to help others, Julia Hackley was an important figure in Muskegon. On this episode we look back at her contributions to Muskegon, her life, and her marriage to Charles Hackley. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/patrick-horn/support