“But there is one front and one battle where everyone in the United States—every man, woman, and child—is in action, and will be privileged to remain in action throughout this war. That front is right here at home, in our daily lives, and in our daily tasks.” – President Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1942 Fireside Chat
ELMHURST, IL (February 2024) – The Elmhurst History Museum, 120 E Park Ave., which offers free admission, announced today its next exhibition “Victory at Home: 1941-1945,” set to open early this year.
Spurred by the attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States entered the Second World War in 1941. At this time, President Roosevelt urged every citizen to answer the call to fight, whether overseas or at home. From March 1 - August 18, 2024, “Victory at Home: 1941-1945” will examine the Home Front during World War II and explore the sacrifice, service, and patriotism of Americans throughout the country, with a focus on those in Elmhurst and greater Chicagoland.
Located on the first floor of the historic Glos Mansion, which the city of Elmhurst used as a WWII ration board office and now houses the Museum, the new exhibit will share the stories of the steadfast generation of civilians who helped lead the Allies to victory through united efforts such as rationing, women in the workforce, increased war production, purchasing war bonds, and much more. These efforts taught Americans how to economize and to alleviate the domestic hardships and mental fatigue a nation at war often experiences. The exhibit will include compelling artifacts, photographs, and interactive audio-video stations with hands-on experiences, journals, uniforms, WWII posters, historic radio broadcasts, and more.
“Chicagoland residents, including those in Elmhurst, had an immense impact on the country’s war efforts through local manufacturing, rationing and recycling materials, planting Victory Gardens, and raising funds to support the war. Looking back at this period in history may help younger generations better understand what their parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents endured during the 1940s,” said Sarah Cox, Elmhurst History Museum Curator of Exhibits. “We hope the exhibition not only educates guests on the resiliency, resourcefulness and total participation efforts by the nation, but helps them relate the experience of this generation to current events.”
To honor the home front efforts of those in the Elmhurst area, the Museum is partnering with Operation Support Our Troops – America, one of the largest volunteer-based military support organizations in the country, to send care packages overseas to our troops during the run of “Victory at Home: 1941-1945.” In addition to educating visitors on Operation Support Our Troops – America’s mission, the Museum will collect much-needed supplies, goodies and letters to be delivered each month.
Additionally, the Museum will host a series of public programming events throughout the exhibit’s run, from an exhibition gallery talk with Curator Sarah Cox and a 1940s-themed cooking class, to a lecture titled “The Windy City at War: Chicago’s Homefront 1941 – 1945” and a visit from members of the Rockford Peaches Vintage Baseball Club who reprise the game as seen in the film A League of Their Own.
“Victory at Home: 1941-1945” will be on display from March 1 – August 18, 2024. The Elmhurst History Museum is open to all ages and offers free admission. The museum is open 1 – 5 p.m. Sunday & Tuesday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday, and closed Monday. For additional information on exhibits or programs, please visit www.elmhursthistory.org.
Elmhurst History Museum’s “Victory at Home: 1941-1945” exhibit is sponsored by: Feze Roofing, McGrath Elmhurst Toyota, and Michael V. LoCicero, Attorney at Law.
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The Elmhurst History Museum is a department of the City of Elmhurst supported by the Elmhurst Heritage Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit organization. The Museum is located at 120 E. Park Ave. in downtown Elmhurst. General admission is free. For more information, call 630-833-1457 or visit our website at elmhursthistory.org.
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Elmhurst History Museum
Sarah Ficek, Marketing and Communications Specialist
630.530.6874