Donate to the USS Silversides Museum

The USS Silversides Submarine Museum is a 501(c) non-profit and we sustain ourselves on admissions to the museum, donations and membership fees.

We are always seeking monetary donations to help us maintain our facilities and exhibits, but we also accept donations of artifacts, general equipment and supplies. Volunteers also play a key role in keeping our museum running, from daily tours to upkeep, maintenance and office tasks. Whether you wish to donate money, artifacts, supplies or time, we welcome your contribution.

Tax-Deductible Monetary Donations

We accept donations in cash or check or through our online store. We also accept donations of stock. Note that all monetary donations to our museum are tax deductible, including stock holdings. 

Where does the money go?

The museum has a restricted funds account, so if a donation is made for a specific purpose, the money will only be used to fulfill that need. We have separate restricted accounts for submarine preservation, library, fundraising events, building maintenance or exhibits. In this way, donors can choose where their money goes.

General donations go directly to cover operating expenses. In addition to our staff salaries, we spend a significant amount each month on building upkeep, utilities, facility maintenance and restoration.

To donate by check, please make out to “USS Silversides Submarine Museum” and mail your check to:

USS Silversides Submarine Museum
1346 Bluff St
Muskegon, Michigan 49441

To donate stock holdings, please call us at 231-755-1230 or email [email protected] for guidance.

To donate by credit card or PayPal, click on the the button below.

Donate Online

Artifact Donations

Our museum displays a wide range of military artifacts. We also hold many artifacts in safe storage, either to be used in future exhibits or to be accessed by researchers.

We welcome donations of artifacts of military significance connected to any period in our history, but we are not able to accept all donations. When evaluating donations, we consider:

  • Is the item of military significance?
  • Does the item have exhibit or research potential?
  • Could the item be used for educational programs?
  • Can the item be properly stored, protected, and preserved in its current condition and with our available resources?
  • Does the item fill an identified gap in the collection or could it replace an inferior example?
  • Will this item be an unnecessary duplication?
  • Are we legally able to hold the artifact?

To begin the artifact donation process, please fill out our Artifact Donation form.

Artifact Donation Form

Equipment and Supply Donations

At this time, the USS Silversides Museum is looking for

  • A 20×40 tent for outdoor activities

A large portion of our daily-use equipment and supplies come from donations. Lawn mowers, printer paper, cleaning supplies, computers – if it’s useful in a modern office or landscaping environment, we can use it at the USS Silversides Museum.

Volunteer with the USS Silversides Museum

Volunteers make a huge difference for our museum. Without the support of volunteers, we would not be able to stay open seven days a week or offer many of our additional services: tours, lectures, classes, fundraising events and a vibrant gift shop. We have dozens of programs to cover and multiple venues to maintain, and we depend on passionate volunteers to fulfill the mission of the USS Silversides Submarine Museum.

No matter what you offer in terms of background, experience, skills or knowledge, we can match you to a project at our museum. Here’s just a sample of what our volunteers currently do:

  • Administrative
  • Cashiering
  • Cataloguing
  • Cleaning
  • Electrical
  • Events 
  • Fundraising
  • Library
  • Painting
  • Polishing
  • Teaching
  • Technology
  • Touring
  • Welding
  • ..and much more.

There is truly something for everyone.  Schedules are very flexible.  Some volunteers work every day.  Some work once a week, and some only come in for a specific task at a specific time.

If you’re interested in volunteering, please print and fill out our Volunteer Form below. You can also fill out the form in person at the museum on your next visit.

Volunteer Form

Thank you to our donors

The following donors have contributed $1,000 or more in the past 12 months.

  • Blue Lake Public RadioC.W. Marsh Co.
  • Eagle Alloy, Inc.
  • Eagle Aluminum Cast Products
  • Eagle CNC Technologies
  • Eagle Precision Cast Parts, Inc.
  • Hines Corporation
  • Hughes Builders
  • JSJ Corporation
  • Mercy Health
  • Michigan Humanities Council
  • Newkirk Electric Associates, Inc.
  • Nichols
  • The Lorraine F. Bertsch and Fred S. Bertsch Foundation
  • US Submarine Veterans, Escolar Base
  • Webb Chemical Services

Contact us

For general questions or comments, please fill out the form below or email us at [email protected]