Race, Religion, and the USO During WWII

In 1941, five religious organizations representing Protestants, Catholics, and Jews came together to form the United Service Organizations, or USO. Hope history majors Carolyn Thornbury and Ingrid Oslund will share how the USO faced cultural, religious, and racial challenges and sought to build a more inclusive nation.

This program took place on Thursday, November 7, 2024
7:00-8:30 pm
Holland Museum Spark!Lab 

FREE Adult Cultural Lens program

Watch the video now


Biographies

Carolyn Thornbury Carolyn Thornbury is currently a senior at Hope College double majoring in History and Classical studies. She completed research in the summer of 2023 at the American Jewish Historical Society’s archives in New York City about the ways the Jewish Welfare Board supported Jewish soldiers through the USO. Carolyn is currently applying for graduate schools to further her studies in religious history.

 

Ingrid OslundIngrid Oslund is in her senior year at Hope College studying History and Classics. She spent this past summer researching the YMCA’s work as a part of the USO in the University of Minnesota’s digitized YMCA archives. Looking forward to graduation, she hopes to continue her studies in Library Science and pursue work within archives.

 


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Holland Museum

Holland Museum
31 W. 10th Street
Holland, MI 49423

The Holland Museum tells the story of Holland, Michigan, from its settlement by Dutch immigrants to today’s innovative, successful, and diverse community. Featuring thousands of fascinating historic objects, as well as artwork from the Netherlands from the 1600s through the 1900s, ou permanent History and Dutch Galleries are not to be missed.


MUSEUM HOURS

Thursdays: 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Fridays: 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Saturdays: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Sundays: 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Closed Mondays EXCEPT on Free Second Mondays from 4:00-7:00 p.m.
Spark!Lab is open and included with general admission on Fridays, Saturdays, and Free Second Mondays.


*FREE SECOND MONDAYS
In addition to regular hours, join us for our “FREE Second Mondays” from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m each month. Check our calendar for specific dates. Sponsored by The Meijer Foundation.


ADMISSION AND DISCOUNTS

Admission 
$10.00 for adults
$8.00 for senior adult
$5.00 for students with a valid college ID and kids 6-18 
FREE: Holland Museum members and children ages 5 and under are free.
$1.00 Museums for All admission (EBT or WIC card holder, $1.00/person, up to 4 people per card).

Discounts
The Holland Museum offers an admission discount to Veterans, active military, and educators. If you are active military, the discount applies each person in your party. If you are a veteran or educator, the discount applies to that person only. Admission for veterans, active military, and educators is $5.


CLOSED IN OBSERVANCE OF THESE 2024/2025 HOLIDAYS

  • Independence Day, July 4
  • Labor Day, September 1
  • Thanksgiving Day, November 28
  • Christmas Eve, December 24
  • Christmas Day, December 25
  • New Year's Eve, December 31
  • New Year's Day, January 1, 2026


ACCESSIBILITY
The Museum has a handicapped-accessible entrance on the east side of the building next to the circle drive. To access the building, please press the button to the right of the door and the front desk will buzz visitors in. Take the elevator from the ground floor (G) to the first level (1L) and you will arrive behind the reception desk. There is also a wheelchair available for patron use. Each level of the museum is handicapped accessible, as are the restrooms. If you have any specific needs, please call the front desk at (616) 796-3329.

PARKING 
The Holland Museum is located at the corner of 10th Street and River Avenue, across from Centennial Park. Please use the parking lot behind the museum on 9th Street or street parking is available along 10th Street. Handicap accessibility is available from the east side of the building.

BLUE STAR MUSEUM 
We are a Blue Star Museum and offer free admission to active military and their families from Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 17, 2025, through  Labor Day weekend, Saturday, September 1, 2025.

MUSEUM BUILDING RENTALS
For information about Museum building rentals, please contact David Hawley-Lowry at dhawley@hollandmuseum.org

Learn more