Scottdale Stories : World War II

The Scottdale Historical Society will host an evening for sharing stories about Service on the Home Front during World War II on Thursday, June 14, 2018 from 6:30-8 p.m. at the historic Loucks Homestead, located at 527 North Chestnut Street in Scottdale.

Our Special Guest Historian, Tristan Williams, a PhD student at West Virginia University, will give a brief talk to begin the program and will be on hand to discuss civilian defense and the home front.

Ms. Williams studies West Virginia and Appalachian regional history during the 20th and late 19th centuries. Ms. Williams earned her master’s degree in history at Marshall University doing research on West Virginia’s civil defense practices during the early years of the Cold War. Much of Ms. Williams work, though, focuses on World War II and the post-War years looking at how World War II and the Cold War shaped the Home Front throughout central Appalachia. As a native Appalachian with two great grandfathers who fought in World War II, this research is near and dear to her heart.

This open forum will give local residents the opportunity to share stories on how their families supported the war effort from victory gardens and salvage programs to rationing and selling stamps for war bonds.

Attendees are encouraged to bring ration books, photos and any other items to aide in the discussion.

The Historical Society will be scheduling sit down interviews with interested individuals to create a video diary on Scottdale’s history of “Service on the Home Front.”

Light hors d’oeuvres and refreshments will be provided and the event is free to attend.