Swem Library at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg presents the
exhibit, From the 'Burg to Berlin and Beyond: World War II at Swem Library.
Featuring original letters, diaries, posters, photographs, sheet music, and
other materials from Swem's Special Collections Research Center, the exhibit
provides a general overview of the War, with an emphasis on the College and
Williamsburg.

The first four sections of the exhibit are in the Marshall Gallery; the
remainder are in the adjoining SCRC.  The exhibit will continue through
September 14.  Admission is free.

The first section looks at the beginning of World War II in Asia and Europe
through Pearl Harbor.  Among items on display are photos and papers relating
to Albert Raymond, an American in Paris who volunteered as an ambulance
driver after Germany invaded France.  The attack on Pearl Harbor is recalled
through the reminiscences of William and Mary alumni who were on campus at
the time.  A scroll contains Japan's declaration of war on the U.S. in
Japanese characters, with an accompanying English translation.

The next two sections explore the War at the College and in Williamsburg.
Photos show naval chaplains and soldiers at the College and on parade on
Duke of Gloucester Street, while war ration books and USO materials testify
to civilian contributions to the war effort.  An issue of the Bee Line, Camp
Peary's newspaper, and letters by Williamsburg residents further illuminate
local wartime experiences.

The fourth section focuses on those in uniform.  Highlights include letters
home by nurses in Burma and Normandy, a photo album and Christmas menu for a
hospital commanded by W&M alumnus Colonel Amos Koontz, and telegrams
congratulating local hero and W&M alumnus Admiral John Lesslie Hall, Jr.,
for his successful supervision of the Normandy landings.  W&M education
professor emeritus Armand Galfo, who served as an airman, is represented by
V-mails and a silk map with tiny bombs marking the locations his plane
attacked.  

The next section examines the end of the War and its aftermath.  Photos of
President Roosevelt's funeral are accompanied by a letter lamenting his
death written by a Sea Bee at Camp Peary.  Other notable items include a
photo of Tojo on trial in Tokyo and the prosecution's opening statement in
the Japanese war crime trials, photos of the devastation in Hiroshima and
Europe, and a publication created by German civilians interned by the Allies
as suspected Nazis.  

The final three cases investigate specific issues or events of the war
years.  One case looks at the internment of Japanese and Japanese-American
civilians in the U.S. and an anti-Fifth Column vigilante group operating in
Montclair, New Jersey.  Another case looks at the Holocaust, with original
photographs of the dead at Dachau, letters by people in the United States
reacting to news of the camps, and a facsimile of Hitler's last will, where
he still blames the Jews for his problems.  The last case recalls a wartime
controversy at William and Mary, when Marilyn Kaemmerle, the editor of the
student newspaper, called for an end to segregation and was fired.

For hours, see:
http://swem.wm.edu/scrc/CurrentExhibits.cfm

For directions and parking information, see:
http://swem.wm.edu/directions.cfm

Bea Hardy, Director
Special Collections Research Center
Swem Library
College of William and Mary

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