The Great Lakes Naval Memorial and Museum has been thriving in Muskegon since 1987. When this Maritime Museum first started it consisted of just the USS SILVERSIDES, which is how it received its first name The USS SILVERSIDES and Maritime Museum. The museum put many hours of hard work into restoring this WWII vessel and is proud of what it has become today. In 1993, soon after the arrival of the USS SILVERSIDES, came the USCGC McLANE and the process of refurbishing started all over again. The McLANE is well on its way to being fully restored. This has brought high hopes of success for the museum and the future looks bright. The museum decided that The USS SILVERSIDES and Maritime Museum was no longer a sufficient name and decided that the Great Lakes Naval Memorial and Museum was a more appropriate name.

The museum has an enthusiastic full time staff year round who help maintain the boats, run the gift shop and help with the overnight program. It also is a great job for students who are still in school because during the summer the number of staff doubles its normal size to help run tours for the public.