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Roger Roels was stuck in America

Roger Roels was a seaman. He happened to be in the United States when the war broke out and was unable to return to Belgium. When the United States entered the Great War in 1917, he enlisted with the US Navy. After the war he asked the love of his life, Anna, who he had not seen since the conflict started, to join him in the United States.

The oldest Belgian war veteran became an American

After the war many Belgians left for the United States. In 1920 there were about 7200 of them, a migration record for the Belgians.

Temporary exhibitions

The museum also holds temporary exhibitions in 'De Loods', which is the name of the old baggage shed of the Red Star Line shipping company.

Come aboard

Does the Red Star Line Museum hold a special place in your heart? Then come aboard: as a sponsor, as a donor or as a volunteer. Or share your story and expand our collection.

The story of migration

The Red Star Line Museum invites you on an exciting voyage. Discover the story of the shipping company, the city of Antwerp and its harbour. Above all, discover the emigrants’ stories.

Albert Einstein, a famous passenger

Unlike many migrants who travelled with the Red Star Line only once, Albert Einstein was a regular guest on the Red Star Line ocean steamers.

The success story of Irving Berlin

Among the two million Europeans who traveled to America on the Red Star Line was a five year old boy from Russia. The boy’s name was Israel ‘Izzy’ Beilin. He would grow up to gain world-wide fame as Irving Berlin with songs like 'White Christmas', 'Puttin' on the Ritz' and 'There's No Business Like Show Business'.