Evansville Museum to Host Tour of WWII Sites in the City
By: Laura Kirtley
Updated: September 24, 2012
Bus Tour to Explore World
War II Sites of Evansville
During World War II Evansville
was transformed, as major new and existing companies produced a vast amount of
goods for use by the United States and its allies in their struggle against the
Axis Powers, the needs of thousands of troops traveling through the City were
met by citizens of Evansville, and social gathering spots provided an outlet for
those living in the community.
The sites of many of these
important activities will be explored in the fun and informative bus tour
Answering the Call: Evansville during World
War II. This 2 -hour tour will interpret
over 45 important World War II sites in Evansville with a running narrative
describing the historical significance of each. Participants will see the
locations of important industrial plants such as the Evansville Shipyard and
Republic Aviation, key service organizations including the Red Cross Canteen and
USO, and hotspots such as the LST Tavern and the Blue Bar. Photographs depicting
many of the locations during World War II will be shared on the bus' video
screens so that participants will have a true sense of the activities that
occurred in Evansville and can link these activities to present-day
sites.
Leading the tour are local
World War II researchers Harold Morgan
and Pat
Wathen and the Museum's Curator of History
Thomas Lonnberg. Morgan has spoken and written extensively on Evansville's history,
including his most recent publication, Home
Front Warriors: Building the P-47 Thunderbolt and the LST Warship in Evansville,
Indiana during World War II. Wathen worked
for 28 years at The Evansville Courier
in a variety of editorial roles, including
managing and writing for the newspaper's coverage of World War II's 50th
anniversary. He currently works in communications at Toyota Motor Manufacturing,
Indiana. Lonnberg has created many exhibitions focusing on Evansville's home
front history in his 24 years at the Museum and has given numerous public
presentations on the topic with a special emphasis on the Evansville
Shipyard.
The Museum is presenting this
tour in memory of Mary Carolyn Dannettell
(1924-2011). Dannettell - a longtime educator
in Evansville and friend of the Evansville Museum - worked at both Chrysler and
the Evansville Shipyard during World War II.
Join us on this tour to learn
more about one of the most vibrant times in Evansville's history!
Date: Saturday, October 13
Time: 3:45 - 6:15 p.m.
Departure Location: Evansville
Museum Parking Lot
Fees: $10 Members
$15 Not-Yet
Members
Register by: Monday, October 8
Maximum 53
people
Payment must be received on or
before the registration deadline. Registration is guaranteed when payment is
received. To pay by credit card, call the Museum at (812) 425-2406 during
regular business hours or mail a check payable to the Evansville Museum at 411
SE Riverside Drive, Evansville, IN 47713.
