WWII museum focuses on home
The American home front takes center stage in the new The Arsenal of Democracy exhibit, which opened June 10 at The National World War II Museum in New Orleans.
The story of how the USA became involved in World War II and an extensive look at domestic war efforts are on full, immersive display in nine galleries, featuring 400 artifacts spread throughout nearly 10,000 square feet on the second floor of the museum’s Louisiana Memorial Pavilion.
The exhibit advances “the museum’s mission to tell the story of the American experience in ‘the war that changed the world’ — why it was fought, how it was won and what it means today” said Gordon H. “Nick” Mueller, president and CEO of the museum.
Historical accounts and home front stories include 62 authenticated oral histories that reveal how American citizens responded to entering another war so soon after World War I.
A wagon full of scrap metal, food rations booklets and radios tuned to historic programming offer glimpses of life on the home front during World War II. Visitors learn about American manufacturing prowess and the development of the atomic bomb.
The story “Campaigns of Courage: European and Pacific Theaters” continues at 945 Magazine St. (nationalww2museum.org)