The Wright Museum of WWII History

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The Wright Museum of WWII History
The Wright Museum77 Center Street, P.O. Box 1212
Wolfeboro, N.H. 03894 www.wrightmuseum.org info_at_w
rightmuseum.org 603/569-1212
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What do a model ship made of matchsticks, this
modern homemaker, and a mosquito drawn by Dr.
Seuss have in common?
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Theyre all part of the Wright Museums rich
collection of artifacts documenting the
contributions of ordinary Americans during the
Second World War.
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Our Mission
The Wright Museum is dedicated to preserving and
sharing the stories of Americas Greatest
Generation for generations to come. To this end,
the museum collects and exhibits artifacts and
documents illustrating all aspects of American
life between the years 1939 and 1945.
With its nationally significant collection of
fully-operational WWII military vehicles and
extensive archive of 1940s home life, the Wright
Museum interprets all aspects of Americans
contributions on the front lines and on the home
front.
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Founder David M. Wright1931-2003
The Wright Museum was named in honor of the
family of founder David Wright, whose collection
of WWII-era vehicles remain at the core of the
museums exhibitions. A longtime N.H. summer
resident, David founded the museum foundation in
1982 and spent the next dozen years planning the
construction of the Wright Museum, which opened
its doors in July 1994. Since then over 100,000
visitors from all over the world have toured one
of Americas finest WWII museums.
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A Few Highlights from the Wright Museums
Permanent Exhibitions
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Forty-two Tons of Fury The Pershing T26E
The centerpiece of the Wright Museums collection
is its 84,000-pound Pershing tank. This model was
designed to match up against the German Tiger
tank. The first Pershings arrived in Europe in
January 1945. The museums tank is the only
surviving Pershing from the Allied capture of
Remagen Bridge.
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The capture of the bridge was key to the Allied
invasion of Germany. Nazi war planners were aware
of the Americans advance and dynamited most of
the major bridges across the Rhine River.
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These posters encouraged Americans to support the
war effort by working hard to make war materiel
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help keep inflation in check by abiding
rationing provisions for goods such as coffee,
sugar, meat and gasoline
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conserve food so there would be enough for
American troops
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recycle certain materials that could be made
into weapons
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and support the war financially by buying war
bonds.
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The Wright Museum features a permanent exhibit on
Manchester, N.H. native Rene Gagnon, who was one
of the six Americans who took part in the famous
flag raising on Iwo Jima.
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On the 20th anniversary of the flag raising, Rene
Gagnon returned to Japan for the first time since
the war, bringing his wife Pauline and son Rene
Gagnon Jr.
During the visit, the Gagnons attended a dinner
with a former foe, Japanese Army Captain Kikuzo
Musashino. The family also took part in a solemn
commemoration on the peak of Iwo Jimas highest
point.
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The Wright Museums exhibits include vignettes
that illustrate American home life in the 1940s.
In addition to the re-created kitchen and soda
fountain shown here, displays include a 1940s
dentist office and living room.
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History in Motion!
The Wright Museum makes the past come alive by
maintaining its fleet of WWII vehicles. Each
year, the museum participates in the Wolfeboro
4th of July parade. Also in July, it offers
vehicle rides as part of an annual Family Day.
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Children and WWII
In addition to its extensive collections of
WWII-era militaria, the Wright Museum features
extensive exhibits illustrating childrens
contributions to the war effort. Shown here are
the students of Wolfeboro, N.H.s Carpenter
School with the Jeep that their War Bonds bought.
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War conditions even affected the toys children
played with. The increased demand for all metals
for weapons production meant that there was not
enough tin to make popular tin keywind toys.
Instead, WWII-era toys tended to be made from
wood, cardboard, and paper.
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Shortages and the demands for war production of
everything from tanks to uniforms meant that even
the gifts people gave were affected. Publications
such as this one helped Americans cope by
offering practical tips on making your own gifts.
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The Wright Museum is devoted to keeping alive the
can-do spirit of those whose efforts helped the
U.S. and its allies overcome an unprecedented
military challenge. The museums staff and volun
teers hope to see you soon!
The Wright Museum77 Center Street, P.O. Box 1212
Wolfeboro, N.H. 03894 www.wrightmuseum.org info
_at_wrightmuseum.org 603/569-1212