NY HIstorical Society: WWII & NYC Exhibit

To celebrate my birthday this year, my darling husband took me to an incredible event that I have been wanting to go to since it came out! At the New-York Historical Society we attended the WWII & NYC Exhibit. Boy, it was nice to learn more about WWII but in the perspective of a New Yorker. Honestly, it made me wish New York was like that now without the sexism and racism of course. I mean we have that today also but not as in your face as it was in the 40's.

The exhibit is on the first floor of the museum and and walk through section to section. I wish I could  have taken photos but alas they did not allow that. Goodness, it wasn't like things were out in the open-they were all in display cases-boo to that. Although I enjoyed the personal touches they included like a letter from Albert Einstein to the President explaining why they had to procede with creating the atom bomb because the Germans were already working on that technology. He believed it could end the war-he was right.

I also learned what a huge influence the African-American community had and how important they were to the war effort. I believe for the first time ever America and New York for that matter, opened their eyes and took notice that no matter a person's gender or race, they could indeed play a vital role in the war. 

Of course many did not believe that woman could do a man's job and boy did we show them that they were wrong. Many wives and mothers took charge of the Home Front by canning, growing food in their victory gardens, volunteering, etc while many single women worked in factories or joined military groups such as the W.A.V.E.S.

I guess it shouldn't surprise me but many people did not noticed that I was all dressed up for the event. That's New York for you. Such a shame too because I believe the city has really lost its grip on art and self-expression. I did speak to a wonderful older woman who was a child during WWII and also an older gentleman. They were both so lovely to speak to and complimented me on my look-yeah! I was so grateful that I got a chance to speak to someone about my passion in person.

Much of the exhibit showed us how New York responded to the war and how it worked to unite and gather people into basically getting rid of Hitler. What I was surprised to learn was of the rallies that were held in Madison Square Garden-it was just amazing to see photos of that! 

After the exhibit I hit the gift shop! I was VERY excited about that, mainly because I am what I call a vintage nerd so yeah I was in book and magnet heaven hehe

I scored some major goodies! I got a WWII Projects Book (will share more in another post), WWII  NYC book (all about the exhibit), a replica fan (I found an original on ebay!), a magnet and pin, and lastly a Rosie the Riveter tin box! Gahhhhh neat haul I made huh!!! My husband's gift to me was my day out/lunch and my dad's gift to me was my museum goodies. What a neat birthday! It really has been even though it's technically on the 24th hehe So many amazing things have happened to me this past month. One amazing thing in particular I long to share with you but I have to wait a wee bit more to do so, but truly I cannot wait!

I changed twice for the day because like I have said before, I do not like the cold. Actually I don't like extreme weather-not too hot and not too cold LOL I wore a 1970's ala 1940's "V is for Victory" styled patriotic dress gifted to me by my Swing Sister. With that I paired it up with some beaded red, white, and blue clip on earrings, a nautical themed brooch, and a beaded while necklace. I later changed into my vintage jeans and paired that up with one of my favorite brooches, an authentic "V is for Victory" silver brooch. I also wore these amazing navy button earrings which I will talk about a wee bit more in tomorrow's post.

I hope everyone's week has been lovely so far!! xox