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Norfolk War History Commission, World War II, Records, 1941-1946

By Will Hopkins

Collection Overview

Title: Norfolk War History Commission, World War II, Records, 1941-1946

ID: 001/01/MSS 0000-167

Creator: Norfolk War History Commission (1944-1951)

Extent: 4.0 Boxes

Arrangement: Arranged by record type.

Date Acquired: 09/29/1948

Languages: English [eng], German [ger]

Scope and Contents of the Materials

Four scrapbooks relating to the Norfolk United War Fund from 1941-1945 and the USS Hotel Fairfax Residential Club, circa 1944 in Norfolk, Virginia. The collection also includes a volume titled Record of Publicity, Office of Civilian Defense that largely includes clippings of civil defense activities in Norfolk. Also in the collection is correspondence relating to air wardens and Smith Street U. S. O., along with negatives of local civil defense personnel and facilities.

Biographical Note

The Norfolk War History Commission was created in 1944 by the City of Norfolk under City Manager Charles B. Borland to document the city's contributions and activities relating to World War II. The Commission was originally comprised of the following members: Frank Pace (Chairman), Mary D. Pretlow, E. S. Brinkley, W. H. T. Squires, and Frank Turin. The Norfolk War History Commission was part of the greater Virginia War Commission created by the General Assembly that year. The Norfolk Commission operated until 1951.

Administrative Information

Access Restrictions: This collection is open to all researchers.

Use Restrictions: The status of copyright for these materials is governed by Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U. S. C.). Copyright restrictions may apply.

Acquisition Source: Norfolk War History Commission by donation

Separated Materials: Microfilm: 940.5373 NOR (12 reels) Norfolk War History Commission WWII. Also an additional reel containing an index.

Preferred Citation: Norfolk War History Commission, World War II, Records, MSS 0000-167, Sargeant Memorial Collection, Norfolk Public Library, Norfolk, Virginia.

Processing Information: Processed in October 2019.


Box and Folder Listing

Box 1Add to your cart.
Folder 1: Correspondence, Smith Street U. S. O., 1946Add to your cart.
Folder 2: Air Warden reports and correspondence, 1942 July 16 - 1944 February 17Add to your cart.
Includes duty rosters, reports, and correspondence.
Folder 3: Civil Defense photograph negatives, undatedAdd to your cart.
Includes approximately 50 negatives showing civil defense personnel and facilities.
Folder 4: Scrapbook 1, United Seamen's Service Hotel Fairfax Residential Club for Merchant Seamen, circa 1944Add to your cart.
Clippings scrapbook. "Contributed to Norfolk War History Commission by Mr. Graham Dalton, former Program Director of the USS Fairfax Residential Club. Scrapbook prepared by Mr. Dalton and Mrs. Frances B. Sawyer, Secretary of the Norfolk War History Commission."
Box 2Add to your cart.
Item 1: Scrapbook 2, Norfolk United War Fund, 1941-1942Add to your cart.
Item 2: Scrapbook 3, Norfolk United War Fund, 1943Add to your cart.
Box 3Add to your cart.
Item 1: Scrapbook 4, Norfolk United War Fund, 1944-1945Add to your cart.
Box 4Add to your cart.
Item 1: Record of Publicity, Office of Civilian Defense, circa 1942-1944Add to your cart.

"Presented to Norfolk War History Commission by Richard M. Marshall, former coordinator of civilian defense for the Norfolk area."

Book is divided into sections: Civilian Defense News, OCD News Column, Dimouts, Air Raid Wardens, Town Meetings for War, Volunteer Office, "Salvage" News, Auxiliary Police, Auxiliary Firemen, Nutrition, War Housing Center, Rumor Clinic, and [Warning Center]. The back of the volume includes handdrawn posters, full-page newspaper advertisements, and a large book promoting window displays in storefronts in support of the war effort.