Kenneth Spencer Research Library

Check the blog each Friday for a new “That’s Distinctive!” post. I created this series to provide a lighthearted glimpse into the diverse and unique items at Spencer. “That’s Distinctive!” is meant to show that the library has something for everyone regardless of interest. If you have suggested topics for a future item feature or questions about the collections, you can leave a comment at the bottom of this page. All collections, including those highlighted on the blog, are available for members of the public to explore in the Reading Room during regular hours.

This week on That’s Distinctive! I am sharing another item from the Herd Family Papers. I have shared items from the collection many times and likely will continue to do so due to its wide variety of offerings. Spanning the time period of 1817-2013 with over 37 boxes and 47 volumes, this one collection alone has something that may interest just about anyone.

The item shared today is a sheet of paper titled “How to Protect Yourself Against War Gases.” The document was distributed by the Air Raid Wardens Service in 1942 during World War II. According to the World War II American Experience museum, Air Raid Wardens were men and women “tasked with protecting the lives of their fellow neighbors. By day, the Air Raid Warden visits his neighbors and educates them about blackouts and what to do if an air raid were to occur… By night, these same wardens will don their helmet, flashlight, gas mask, medical kit, air raid siren, gas alarm, whistle and maybe a stirrup pump fire extinguisher and patrol their neighborhoods enforcing blackout and air raid drills.”

Thankfully the war never made landfall in the contiguous United States, but many precautions were taken in anticipation of potential attacks. For example, the paper shown today states that the ultimate defense toward the enemy is to remain calm. The paper also shares rules and steps of what to do in case of an air raid.

Interested in more primary sources on this topic? The handbook for the Air Raid Wardens is available online (PDF), as are other wartime documents from the Oregon State Archives.

Tiffany McIntosh
Public Services

Tags: Kansas Collection, That's Distinctive, Tiffany McIntosh, World War II

This entry was posted on Friday, August 23rd, 2024 at 9:54 am and is filed under Kansas Collection, That's Distinctive. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.