The “E” Banner received by Hope’s Windows and the Minute Man Award banner received by Jamestown Metal Corporation for their defense work during World War II are on exhibit at the Fenton History Center’s “On the Homefront: Life in Jamestown during WWII” opening today at 11 a.m. For more information visit www.fentonhistorycenter.org.

The Fenton History Center will open its newest museum-wide exhibit at 11 a.m. today.

“The exhibit teaches about the huge effort by the citizenry to support the war effort and the local young men and women who were either drafted or enlisted before or after Dec. 7, 1941. In honor of all veterans, free admission will be observed from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on. World War II veterans will have free admission and our grateful appreciation throughout the entire exhibit time until the end of February 2025. This is a story that needs to be told and shared,” said Barb Cessna, exhibit designer and Vets Finding Vets coordinator. “The Governor Fenton Mansion was purchased by the City of Jamestown in 1919 and as the World War I veterans began forming service organizations, they needed meeting places. The Fenton Mansion and grounds became a Soldier and Sailor Memorial and Jamestown’s Draft Board #653. The World War II enlistees kissed and hugged their loved ones and headed for Buffalo from the mansion’s premises.”

The Fenton History Center will be telling the story of what it was like to live in Jamestown during the war, including the rationing of fuel, food and other products to save raw materials for the war effort. Visitors will learn about Victory Gardens, the Blue and Gold Star programs, the parts the Girl Scouts, Red Cross and other local groups played in the war effort.

The marriage of Elsie and Fred Johanson is featured in the exhibit. On exhibit is a wedding dress, loaned to the Fenton History Center from the Robert H. Jackson Center, made from a parachute worn by Mrs. Johanson. Other local stories can be found throughout the exhibit.

The local manufacturers were key in the Allied victory. Many factories manufactured needed parts for the war machine. For example, the exhibit will focus on a number of those factories. Jamestown Lounge made gun stocks, Weber-Knapp made coffin hinges, and Hope’s Windows made ship parts. The list goes on.

For more information visit www.fentonhistorycenter.org or call 716-664-6256.