USS LST 393 Veterans Museum

WALK WHERE HEROES WALKED! Visit USS LST 393 Veterans Museum, a historic warship docked on Muskegon’s waterfront. The ship has been restored so that visitors can relive her World War II service and three combat landings. USS LST 393 also houses Muskegon’s most complete veterans museum, honoring those who served with displays of artifacts, weapons and uniforms from America’s wars. Normal tour hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week from May 1 through October 2nd.  October 3rd through the 31st tours will be Friday - Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5p.m. The cost is $6 for adults and $4 for children. Don’t miss “Movies on Deck,” a free classic film series shown after sunset on a giant screen almost every Friday from June through August. USS LST 393 Veterans Museum – with its beautiful views of Muskegon Lake and cavernous indoor “tank deck” -- is also available for weddings, private parties, special events, and fundraisers. For more information regarding these events please call (231) 730-1477.

USS LST 393 Veterans Museum … Makes history come alive!

One of only two remaining LSTs (Landing Ship Tank) in the country,USS LST 393 has been extensively renovated so that her history and those who served aboard this gallant ship may be preserved and shared with generations to come.USS LST 393 was commissioned on Dec. 11, 1942. During World War II, she participated in the invasions of Sicily and Italy, and made 30 roundtrips to Omaha Beach during the D-Day invasion of Normandy in 1944.

USS LST 393 Veterans Museum is an important historic vessel and a memorial to the men who sacrificed so much in defense of our country. The veterans museum onboard is a wealth of education and priceless artifacts. There are exhibits of military gear and vehicles from World War II, as well as a weapons display. Among the new exhibits is the “Hall of Uniforms,” featuring authentic uniforms donated by Muskegon veterans. The “Homefront Muskegon” display pays tribute to those who supported the troops at home showing a typical Muskegon kitchen scene in 1943.

The Vietnam Memorial Wall honors those from West Michigan who gave their all for their country in Southeast Asia. The wall contains a unique collection of Vietnam War memorabilia as well as photos of the more than 50 Muskegon County service personnel who died in it. Also honored are servicemen who died in Iraq and Afghanistan

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Upgraded displays inside tell the stories of the soldiers and sailors who served aboard LSTs. The “Airpower” exhibit offers many artifacts and models from America’s wars. There is also a library and reading room focused on military history and a video room to watch documentaries.

The ship’s bridge is newly restored, providing a highlight to any visitor’s top deck tour. Also above decks are the restored galley, officers’ quarters and wardroom, sick bay and mess deck.

MOVIES ON DECK

The deck opens most summer Fridays at 7 p.m. with the movie starting after one of Muskegon Lake’s magnificent sunsets. Movies are free, but goodwill donations are appreciated. Bring your own chair and/or blanket and coolers are acceptable. Movies are shown rain or shine; in inclement weather, movies are shown below on the tank deck. Concession items are available for purchase.

Tentative schedule for 2011

JUNE 3 – Star Wars (1977)

JUNE 10 – Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942) Jimmy Cagney. Classic ‘40s musical.

JUNE 17 – Memphis Belle (1990) Matthew Modine, Billy Zane

JUNE  24 – Sherlock Jr. (1925) Buster Keaton.

JULY 15 (Bike Time) – Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) Harrison Ford searches for treasure.

JULY 22 – Pirates of the Caribbean (2003) Johnny Depp.

JULY 29 – No Man is an Island (1962) Jeffrey Hunter. True WWII adventure.

AUGUST  5 – To Have and Have Not (1944) Humphrey Bogart.

AUGUST 19 – Buck Privates (1940) Abbott and Costello classic.

AUGUST 26 – People’s Choice … voted throughout the summer.

DIRECTIONS to USS LST 393 Veterans Museum

From the south:
From U.S. 31 north, take the U.S. 31 Business Route exit just north of the I-96 junction. U.S. 31 Business Route (Seaway Drive) should be followed until Shoreline Drive splits off to the left just after Southern Avenue. Proceed north on Shoreline Drive past the second stoplight and Heritage landing park. Turn left on Mart Street, (just after Sixth Street). LST 393 is on the left off Shoreline Drive, across the street from the Muskegon Convention and Visitors Bureau office in the historic Union Depot.

From I-96:
I-96 westbound will become U.S. Business Route 31 (Seaway Drive). Then follow the instructions above.

From the north:
From U.S. 31 heading south, take the U.S. 31 Business Route exit towards downtown Muskegon. Take the Shoreline Drive exit. Turn right on Mart Street (just after the Fourth Street traffic light).

 

www.lst393.org