The Eldred World War II Museum and education center opened its spring season with living history on Saturday afternoon.
Reenactors from New York, Pennsylvania and Canada were in attendance showing their prized collections of artifacts from World War II.
Dave Smith, a reenactor from Canada, explained that he heard about the museum and came for a visit a couple of months before. Smith was mesmerized by the detail and vast amounts of collections at the museum.
“This place is a best kept secret,” he said. “It has such amazing cool displays.”
Smith and his fellow reenactors were happy to come to this opening event and share the love for their hobby. Many of the participants have ties to veterans that served in World War II, and they feel that it is their job to preserve history and honor the legacies of fallen soldiers.
Executive Director Jesse Case and curator Steve Appleby were on hand greeting visitors of the museum and explaining with excitement many of the new items on display at the museum.
“We have a vast growing collection of uniforms, weapons, photos, personal effects, documents and so much more here at the museum,” explained Appleby. “With rotating exhibits we will be able to show more of our collection.”
Case and Appleby are hoping that with the success of having the reenactors visit, they can make it an annual or bi-annual event. Appleby expressed his wishes to be able to eventually host a reenactment held outside near the museum.
Also during the event, the museum’s renewed Tank Mountain Room exhibit was unveiled and dedicated to Tuskegee Airman Wallace “Wally” Higgins, who died in August 2018 at the age of 92. Higgins is just one of many heroes whose stories are remembered and told at the museum.
Among other recent additions and upgrades of displays, the library on the third floor displays the uniforms of the U.S. military, and currently features a tribute to the American Red Cross.
The museum is always receiving valuable memorabilia, many from personal donations. All items are logged and information from the donor and stories on their acquisition.
Recently the museum acquired a jacket of German Lt. General Fray von Oriola. It was donated by the family of Corporal Curt A.H. Jeschke. Items such as this jacket that have been entrusted to the museum not only bring variety to their collections, but also amazing stories.
Visitors are invited to stop by and ask Appleby to tell stories such as that of Ralph Bradybaugh, a Kane native, or local hero Laurence Burgoon.
The museum will continue its educational programs on the third Thursday of every month. The next event will feature the “Tragedy of Slapton Sands.” The museum will prepare for the 75th anniversary of D-Day this June.
For more information about visiting the Eldred World War II Museum and education center, go to https://eldredpawwiimuseum.com.
