The World War II Collection contains materials pertaining to local defense plans during World War II (1939-1945) including the correspondence of Civil Defense Units, air raid wardens, and police; member lists; an emergency defense plan; newspaper clippings; ephemera such as war ration books, song book, and programs; and records of the Victory Homecoming Parade of 14 June 1946. Local newsletters were sent to soldiers to share the news of Lancaster County communities. Posters convey messages to join the military, buy war bonds, ration food and fuel, recycle, etc. Oral history interviews taken in 2003 provide biographical information and the experiences of four POWs.
Records of an organization founded by business and church leaders to overthrow commercialized vice in Lancaster by sending agents into the community to check for prostitution, obscenity, drinking, and gambling. Collection includes by-laws, minutes, annual reports, treasurers' reports, agents' expenses, reports on findings, correspondence, newspaper clippings, 25 books of agents' on-duty reports, and investigative reports. The Rev. Clifford G. Twombly was identified with this movement, as was the late William H. Hager, department store merchant.
Front facade of Wheatland. Cropped with the following caption: "Wheatland, the gracious 19th century mansion of President James Buchanan, is located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Hoop-skirted guides and much of Buchanan's furniture, china, and silver greet today's visitor at the home, open daily April through November and during selected witner dates. wheatland in one of eight historic homes open to visitors in Lancaster County." Photo Credit: Pennsylvania Dutch Visitors Bureau.
Provenance
Photographs from the James Buchanan Foundation institutional archives.