Student-created war letter exhibit opens on Biddeford campus

An exhibit created by UNE undergraduate history students titled, "Write Again Soon: Letters from World War II," is debuting at the Biddeford Campus' Jack S. Ketchum Library  on December 4, 2014 from 5 7 p.m.

The exhibit features images and letters from World War II, with interpretive text researched and written by students. It encompasses three different themes: The Homefront; Frontlines; and Romance and relationships in WWII.

Students researched primary source material from the Randall J. Cushing Collection, a collection of original letters housed in the UNE Jack S. Ketchum Library. The Cushing Collection houses more than 2,000 letters from both World Wars, written by a variety of people including flight nurses, fathers, mechanics, mothers, students, Mainers, priests and salesmen. These documents were gathered by Randall J. Cushing, a University of New Hampshire alumni and local contractor, whose hobby was collecting rare books and war memorabilia. The Cushing family gave these pictures, letters and documents to UNE after his passing.

"Write Again Soon: Letters from World War II" brings to life some of the stories found within this remarkable collection, remembering those who lived through war, and honoring their sacrifice.

The exhibit will be open for viewing every day from 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.. until  December 19 – 23, when the hours change to 8 a.m.  4 p.m. The exhibit will be closed completely from December 24  – January 5, when it will reopen with normal hours through the upcoming semester. Please check the UNE library website for other holiday exceptions.

Visitors must obtain a temporary parking pass from the Department of Safety and Security. To call ahead, please dial (207) 602-2298. Directions to the campus and library are available on the UNE website.