Eisenhower photo collage
July 2013
IKE NEWS & NOTES
A quarterly newsletter to keep you informed.

"Thank you" for Supporting the Symphony at Sunset

symphony crowd photoThank you to all who participated in the special events on June 1. The second annual Symphony at Sunset D-Day Commemorative Concert was fantastic, with a crowd of around 3,000. A large number of visitors also viewed the World War II Remembered exhibit during its debut that weekend.

A big "thank you" to our generous sponsor, Marshall Motors of Salina, and to everyone that came out in support of this program. We hope to see you again next year!

 
WWII Remembered logo

Be sure to see this new, three-year commemorative exhibit marking the 70th anniversaries of World War II and its aftermath. The exhibit focuses on the personal stories of unsung heroes and the lesser-known events of the war. You will want to re-visit the exhibit several times as the content will change approximately every nine months by featuring different anniversaries.

"What is particularly exciting about this exhibit - both for our visitors and staff! - is that we are working with museums from all over the world to borrow artifacts and bring them together to help tell this story. WWII was the pivotal event of the 20th Century completely changing the cultural landscape. In many cases these items haven't been this close together since the war. And, in some instances, these artifacts have never been seen in the U.S," states William Snyder, Curator. "We are also thrilled to be able to display many of our very own artifacts for the first time ever. When these artifacts are next to the stories and pictures of the men and women who actually used them, lived with them, and sometimes died with them, our visitors get a better understanding of how the war reached into all aspects of everyday life...and how we continue to feel these impacts today."

Of course we would like to extend a major THANK YOU to our extremely generous sponsors including the Emma Balsiger Foundation, Dane G. Hansen Foundation, and the William T. Kemper Foundation. A complete list of exhibit donors and information on how you can be a sponsor can be found on our website at www.eisenhower.archives.gov. 

 

WWII Remembered Exhibit Video Tour 
WWII Remembered Exhibit Video Tour

What Visitors are Saying...

Kimberly Perkins, Cedar Rapids, Iowa:
"The exhibit was really informative, especially the artifacts,such as the air corps uniforms and the German General's wine glasses. It was good to see the information on women in the war and their impacts."

Carol Bales, Dane G. Hansen Foundation:  
"What a huge undertaking the Eisenhower Museum has taken on---but totally impressive, you will agree. You will become aware of our great "Kansas," U.S. President Eisenhower's leadership of this terrible time. And with the crudeness of the equipment on display--you will know without a doubt the bravery of our soldiers who fought in this war. The display of uniforms and memorabilia is extraordinary. This is a once in a life time exhibit---a must see."  

Bob and Linda, Lenoir City, Tennessee:  
"We learned things we didn't know about the war--the floating man-made bridge after the invasion at Normandy and the Allied military deceptive strategies that threw Hitler off. It was very interesting, and this is a fabulous museum!" 

 

Ft. Leavenworth Opens New Eisenhower Exhibit

Ike: The Education of a Soldier-Statesman

Fort Leavenworth officials reopened Eisenhower Hall in late June following major renovations. One new feature is an exhibit provided by the Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home. The exhibit stresses the importance of the Army schools in the education of the most important soldier-statesman of the 20th century and how well that education prepared him for the challenges of his time.

The exhibit examines President Eisenhower's education from his days at Lincoln Elementary in Abilene through high school, West Point, the Command and General Staff School, Army War College and Army Industrial College. Additionally, it looks at other informal learning experiences along the way, such as his time in Panama under General Fox Conner and with the American Battle Monuments Commission in France.

Deputy Director Tim Rives and Curator William Snyder led the charge in creating the exhibit. Both men were surprised when presented a Department of the Army Commander's Award for Public Service at the ribbon cutting ceremony.

The exhibit is located in the Eisenhower Hall Atrium and is open to the public during all hours the building is open.

Highlights from the Archives
Research Trends | March - May 2013

Interest in World War II and other military topics continued to be strong. In addition to the history of individual military units, researchers looked at documents relating to D-Day and Operation Overlord, the Holocaust, women in the military and various campaigns during World War II operations.

 

Biographical interest was strong. Researchers looked at documents relating to Dwight D. Eisenhower, Earl Warren, Edith Sampson, John F. Kennedy, John McCone, Joseph McCarthy, Kay Summersby, Martin Luther King, Oveta Culp Hobby and Roy A. Roberts.

 

The remaining researchers reviewed material on a wide range of topics: general genealogical research, the events of 1956, the 1959 Steel Strike, Alaskan statehood, Atoms for Peace, civilian scientists, civil rights, Echo Park, Interstate Highway System, the monetary system, NASA, the Operations Coordinating Board, People-to-People, the Salk polio vaccine, Sputnik and the U.S. Information Agency.  

Mark Your Calendars!

Visit our  Calendar page for a complete schedule of upcoming events.

July 13 | Kansas Town Hall on climate change, "Chasing Ice" 75 min. film, followed by discussion featuring representatives speaking from the political, farmer, and science-based points of view, moderated by Carol Barta.

July 20 | Gary Palmer, "The U.S. Cavalry: Time of Transition (1938-1944) Horses to Mechanization", 11 a.m., Visitors Center Auditorium

August 6 | Eisenhower and Baseball, presented by Bill Swank, 7 p.m., Visitors Center

August 10 | Vintage Base Ball game, 1 p.m.

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785.263.6700  *  877.RING.IKE