Over 90 years ago, Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall was built with union labor. And on Labor Day weekend this year, a brand new Atlantic City Labor Museum was opened in this historic building, celebrating all that organized labor has put into building Atlantic City. Mike Laughlin, DC 21 Business Representative and President of the South Jersey Building Trades Council, spoke at the grand opening of the museum.
“Like many, I spent my career building Atlantic City,” he said at the opening. “A career as a union glazier allowed me to live the American dream. I was able to purchase a house, raise two kids, put them through college – and I probably couldn’t have done that if it wasn’t for my labor union.”
Inspired by a Facebook page run by former bricklayer and Somers Point Councilman Kirk Gerety called “We Built this City,” the museum displays items like sprinklers from the original construction of the Hall, displays of workers’ clothing from the 1900s until today, photos of Atlantic City construction and crews, and more.
Thank you to Mike Laughlin, the South Jersey Building Trades, and the dozens of companies and organizations that came together to make this museum a reality. Visit the Atlantic City Labor Museum and celebrate the organized labor movement, now at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall.
