War is all-encompassing and all-consuming. Not only does it beckon for the lives of soldiers, but it demands sacrifices from those half a world away. La Crosse has known this feeling, and the effects of war, all too well. The artifacts depicted in this exhibit are from the few years preceding, during, and after WWII. They reflect how the war front and home front are interconnected in their stories. Our exhibit flows from both fronts, similar to the lives of many soldiers throughout the war, and is meant to reflect the lesser-known parts of this period. Amongst these often overlooked histories are those of the women who enlisted and sacrificed their well-being, safety, and lives to assist in the war effort. We also depict the struggles of the brave Japanese American soldiers and the discrimination they face at home and in the field. We felt that these subjects are often excluded from the traditional curriculum regarding this time period in American history.

The exhibit also brings to light the idea of “Total War,” a concept that entails a united war effort by a nation as a whole. This concept was echoed during this time as the war consumed the nation during these years, bringing the war off the battlefield and into the lives of ordinary citizens across the nation. The City of La Crosse was no exception as those who remained in the city rallied behind the war efforts while others were amongst those on the front lines. Through this exhibit, we have compiled artifacts that illustrate both fronts of the war and sacrifices of those at home.