The E. Stanley Wright Museum

By Todd Moning
FMCA.com editor

What did civilians on the home front do during World War II?

They read newspaper accounts of the war. And they listened to the radio for reports on their loved ones, of course. But they also had bigger and better things on their minds …

The E. Stanley Wright Museum in Wolfeboro, N.H, about 40 miles northeast of Concord, shows how America pulled together on the home front from 1939 to 1945 to help the war effort.

Sacrifices for victory
During the war Americans back home salvaged food, fuel and raw materials. Women went to work in factories and war plants. Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts pitched in by gathering scrap metal.

People of all ages planted morale-boosting Victory Gardens, growing fruit, herbs and vegetables to reduce the pressure on the public food supply.

Auto and appliance factories produced tanks, aircraft, ships and Jeeps from goods that normally would have been purchased by consumers.

Life during wartime
The E. Stanley Wright Museum’s authentic displays show what life was like — the rationing, the food and fuel shortages, the air raid drills in schools, the blackouts at night — at home and at school during the World War II years.

“We have vignettes of a typical kitchen, living room and medical office, and all kinds of clothing from the war years,” said Cynthia Sutton, executive director of the museum. “It’s really a look back at that era and how it influenced who we are today.”

Upon arrival, visitors’ eyes are drawn to the M3A1 Stuart tank jutting from the brick front of the museum. The museum consists of three distinct areas: the Home Front and theater, the two-story educational building or Visitor's Center, and the military wing. Framed original WWII era posters grace the walls of all the buildings.

Tours begin with an introductory lecture and brief orientation video that depicts American life from 1939 to 1945.

Time Tunnel
An interesting Time Tunnel, which connects the Home Front to the military building, is on the first floor of the educational building. It leads visitors on a sentimental journey through the seven years of World War II.

Each year of the war is represented by a special room in the Time Tunnel. And each year has as special theme, such as rationing, Pearl Harbor and the Lend-Lease Act. The Lend-Lease act allowed the United States to direct ammunition, tanks, airplanes, trucks, and food to the war effort in Europe without the U.S. actually entering the war.

LIFE magazine and other magazine covers grace the walls of the 1939 room, where the theme is the 1939 World’s Fair held in Flushing, N.Y. Souvenirs on display include a folding stool, jewelry, candy dishes and an official World’s Fair guide.

A ticker tape LED screen, similar to the one in New York City’s Times Square, provides specifics about events that occurred in 1939.

The 1945 room shows what daily life was like, including prices for common items at the time. It also chronicles the events that brought the war to a close.

Military wing
The military building holds memorabilia, including military vehicles from the era, from all branches of service from WWII.

Displays include:

• a large array of fully operational military vehicles: tanks, jeeps, halftracks, an ambulance and motorcycles;
• memorabilia associated with Rene Gagnon's role as one of six individuals who participated in the historic raising of the United States Flag during the battle of Iwo Jima;
• an Army Air Corps mission map, one of only two still existing, plus uniforms, models and period authentic memorabilia; and
• a tribute WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots).

Details
The Wright Museum is open May through October. Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. The museum is open weekends only, in April and the first three weekends in November.

Admission: $6 adults; $5 for veterans and seniors (55 and over); $3 for students; and free for kids under 8. E-mail: wrmuseum@aol.com

Allow one to two hours for your visit. Ample, free motorhome parking is available.

The gift shop, in the education building, offers many items you won’t find anyplace else.

E. Stanley Wright Museum
www.wrightmuseum.org/index.html