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ELKINS -- During the month of September, members of the Our Town Rosie the Riveter Committee will be hosting guided tours of the Rosie the Riveter Exhibit currently on display at the Randolph County Community Arts Center.
The exhibit was unveiled during this year's Rosie Riveter Honor Roll ceremony, which was held earlier this month at the Arts Center.
The guided tours will be on Sept. 3 (10 a.m.-noon), Sept. 6 (1-3 p.m.), Sept. 10 (10 a.m. – noon), Sept. 12 (10 a.m. – noon and 1-3 p.m.), Sept. 16 (10 a.m. – noon), Sept. 17 (10 a.m. – noon), Sept. 18 (1-3 p.m.), Sept. 19 (1-3 p.m.), and Sept. 23 (1-3 p.m.).
"When we first talked to Dani Cade, who is the director at the Arts Center, we discussed how the display was one of the most professional ones we've ever had," Our Town volunteer Bobbi Trimboli told The Inter-Mountain. "Due to Dani and her assistant Rachel Nestor, the display has been put up in a manner that is lovely. So we thought while it is displayed professionally, it would be interesting and educational for the community to come see the display while it is still there."
Trimboli said the Rosie Committee is excited to share information and some of the stories it has about all of the items featured in the display.
"This is a very well done display, with many different items," said Trimboli. "We have photos of many different women performing various activities that they did during World War II. We also have some posters that feature some of the information that was put out by the government to encourage women to participate and be helpful during that period of time."
Trimboli said the display also features personal items from Rosies, including photos, bios, clothing, and more.
"We were very fortunate that Davis & Elkins College allowed us to use some of the pictures they have had in storage that shows the different branches of the service that were housed in the area and taken care of at Halliehurst," she said. "We have two wedding dresses that were made from parachute material and some other items that are really interesting. We think historically, the display will be interesting to people to see this period of time through the perspective of a Rosie the Riveter. Really this display should be of interest for anybody from Randolph County because these are the women from our area that actually served the war effort,"
Trimboli said there is one piece that isn't tied to the community, but adds it will be a big surprise to many when they take it in.
"A gentleman approached me and brought information about what happened at the Weirton Steel plant during World War II," she said. "There was really a surprise thing that occurred and I think people should make sure when they are visiting the Rosie displays they check it out. There is something that happened at that steel company during that time that affected all of us longterm."
Rosie the Riveter is a cultural icon that represents the women who worked in factories and shipyards during the war. Any woman who received pay for any essential work during war is considered a Rosie.
For more information on the tours call 304-621-8148 or visit the Our Town Facebook page. Information about the Arts Center can be found at randolpharts.org.