African Americans in World War II

Times:
Summer Hours:
Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm
Sunday 12noon-5pm

After Labor Day:
Monday-Saturday 10am-4pm
Sunday 12noon-4pm

Description:
Galveston County Historical Museum hosts a new traveling exhibit this fall that will tell the story of African Americans' service in World War II.

Over 2.5 million African American men and women served in all branches of service, and in all theaters, during World War II.

This traveling exhibit shows how, despite segregation and discrimination, they met great challenges and served with distinction and honor.

The exhibit, entitled African Americans in World War II, was developed by the National Atomic Museum in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

“We are the only museum in this region of Texas to host this exhibit,” said Galveston County Historical Museum Director Jodi Wright-Gidley. “People in the Galveston area should not miss this opportunity to see it, and to participate by sharing their stories.”

The exhibit tells the broad, national account about African Americans in World War II. Galveston County Historical Museum's goal is to use the exhibit as a catalyst for collecting and highlighting local stories—which will then remain in the permanent archives of the museum.

Community members who have a personal story, or who would like the share the information of a relative who served, are asked to please contact the museum to make sure this important information is saved for posterity. Photographs and artifacts will be accepted for the exhibit, either on loan or donation basis.

If you have a story to share about an African American's individual experience in World War II, call or make an appointment to visit the museum. Contact Jodi Wright-Gidley for more information at 409-766-2340.

African Americans in World War II will be at Galveston County Historical Museum from September 1 through November 24, 2008.

Pictured: "Above and Beyond the Call of Duty," an official World War II promotional piece for the U.S. Navy.