(KNSI) – The Stearns History Museum is getting ready to open its newly renovated main gallery next month with an exhibition on World War II.
The Museum will allow people to experience life in the 1940s as the world’s fate was being decided on the battlefields of Europe, Africa, Asia, and on the homefront starting Saturday, June 19.
Stearns History Museum Exhibits and Collections Curator Eric Cheever talked about how a new exhibit comes together.
“Much of this comes from our collection that has been donated by people previously. When people do donate things, we try to get as much history on the object as possible. For instance, we have a uniform, we know who wore it, we know what she did. We know the history of that piece.”
He says the donated items build the exhibit’s framework, and then the Museum will then search for other artifacts to fill in the blanks.
Cheever says World War II had a massive impact on the industry in St. Cloud.
“There were many optical shops at the time, and they built optics for binoculars and tank periscopes. Cold Spring granite company made ship hulls. We had Schlagel, which is the factory that became Electrolux. They built C-46 aircraft, which was at the time was the largest twin-engine transport plan in the world. DeZurik built pumps for the Navy. Just about every business and every manufacturing concern was building and helping with the war effort.”
Program Curator Caitlin Carlson says the war changed home life in the nation and around St. Cloud.
“Everyone was making stuff for the war, whether it was kids and families just planting Victory Gardens. You have people collecting scrap; rationing was a big deal. You couldn’t have as much coffee as you were used to or as much sugar. You had to take your ration books to the grocery store. It basically affected every part of your life.”
Jake Judd (KNSI News)
Carlson talked about what she hopes people take away from the exhibit.
“We try to make our world war two stuff, not just a glorification, that was something that was very violent and dramatic for a lot of people that were involved in it, but just more of a celebration of the human beings that were part of it.”
To celebrate the new exhibit, the Steans History Museum will host two living history weekends.
Jake Judd (KNSI News)
The first is June 19-20, and the second is July 10-11.
The first weekend, At War: A World War II Experience, focuses on the soldier’s World War II activities.
The second weekend, At Home: A World War II Experience, allows visitors to get a glimpse of life on the home front in Stearns County.
There will be family activities, reenactors, demonstrations, and
WWII military equipment.
The daytime events run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 19, July 10, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, June 20, and July 11.
Admission for each day is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 5-17. Children of members get in free.
In addition, on each Saturday night, June 19 and July 10, the Museum will host At Ease: A World War II Evening.
These adult programs will showcase entertainment from the era, featuring Seams Like Swing in June and Rock City Jazz Band in July.
Watch the video premiere of “Good Luck, and I’ll Be Seeing You” Keeping in Touch During WWII.
There will be appetizers and cocktails.
The evening event takes place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The cost is $50 per person.
For more event information and ticket packages, check out the Stearns History Museum website at StearnsHistoryMuseum.org or call (320) 253-8424.
Jake Judd (KNSI News)
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