SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS

April 1-June 30, 2022
Letters From Home

The Letters From Home exhibit features private correspondence from almost every major conflict in U.S. history, raising awareness and a greater understanding of veterans returning from war. 

Often, coming home from war is a soldier's greatest battle. Through intimate perspectives, visitors will experience insight into the thoughts and emotions of veterans. Viewpoints include veterans from the Civil War era through the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and how they have shaped lives, families and communities.
 
The exhibition is divided into five sections. The War Experience: Perception vs. Reality, Far from Home: Wartime Separation, A New Normal: Adjusting to Life at Home, Enduring Loss: The Costs of War, Reflections: Before and After and A New Mission: Coming Home. Each section pairs a historic letter with a contemporary letter or email to demonstrate the range of experiences that military members face.

Visitors will experience how the United States military changed the way mail was delivered via Victory Mail, or V-Mail. This method became the primary method of communication between soldiers on the front lines and family at home. In addition, attendees can learn from 13 freestanding exhibition panels and a movie that reads messages from soldiers throughout American history.  Letters from World War II are on display and multimedia files are available via visitor's phones. Each part of the exhibit offers a creative way of considering the lives of soldiers on the front lines.