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McKinley Presidential Library & Museum to host exhibition Norman Rockwell in the 1940s: A View of the American Homefront

Norman Rockwell in the 1940s: A View of the American Homefront will open in the Keller Gallery of the McKinley Presidential Library & Museum on Thursday March 24 with a free opening reception from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, catered by Buehler’s. It is a traveling exhibition from the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, MA.

Many of Norman Rockwell’s Saturday Evening Post covers during the 1940s were inspired by life on the American Homefront during World War II. Rockwell’s powerful Four Freedoms, unforgettable Rosie the Riveter, exuberant Homecoming Soldier, and hapless but lovable infantryman, Willie Gillis are among the many memorable images contained with this exhibition of original tearsheets featuring 44 Rockwell illustrations for The Saturday Evening Post.

“We were scheduled to open this exhibition in June 2020,” said Executive Director Kim Kenney, “but it was postponed due to our closure for COVID-19. After two long years of waiting, we are thrilled that we are finally able to host this exciting exhibition for our community. Everyone loves the art of Normal Rockwell. It is so accessible, and it really showcases a slice of 20th century American life. Rockwell’s work is truly where art meets history.”

This also marks the first in-person exhibition opening celebration the Museum has had since January 2020.

The exhibition will incorporate related artifacts from the Museum’s collection, including a civil defense helmet and armband, WAVE (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) and WAAC (Women’s Army Corps) dolls, and a Red Cross uniform. “We are featuring a living room scene with artifacts from our collection, including a console radio donated by longtime member Jim McVay, who passed away in December 2020,” said Kenney. “Mr. McVay remembered listening to war news in front of the radio when he was young, so we have recreated news broadcasts, FDR Fireside Chats, and popular music from that era to play ‘on the radio’ in his memory.” Norman Rockwell in the 1940s will be on view through June 11.

Exhibition Related Programming

Soup at Six: Canton and Akron During World War II
March 31 • 6:00 PM • $20 per person • Pre-paid reservations required
Join Timothy Carroll, author of World War II Akron, and Executive Director Kim Kenney to learn more about how Canton and Akron contributed to the war effort. The evening includes soup, bread, beverage, dessert, and the programs. Pre-paid reservations are required. Please visit www.McKinleyMuseum.org or call 330-455-7043 to reserve your spot.

REQUIRED PHOTO CREDITS

Media sponsorship has been provided by Curtis Licensing, a division of The Saturday Evening Post and The Norman Rockwell Family Agency. Please include the Curtis Licensing logo with images in print.

Rosie the Riveter
Cover of The Saturday Evening Post, May 29, 1943 Norman Rockwell Museum Digital Collection
©1943 SEPS: Licensed by Curtis Licensing, Indianapolis, IN All rights reserved. wwwcurtislicensing.com

Freedom from Want
Illustration for The Saturday Evening Post, March 6, 1943 Norman Rockwell Museum Collection
©1943 SEPS: Licensed by Curtis Licensing, Indianapolis, IN All rights reserved. wwwcurtislicensing.com

Willie Gillis: USO
Cover of The Saturday Evening Post, February 7, 1942 Norman Rockwell Museum Digital Collection
©1942 SEPS: Licensed by Curtis Licensing, Indianapolis, IN All rights reserved. wwwcurtislicensing.com

AT A GLANCE

Exhibition: Norman Rockwell in the 1940s: A View of the American Homefront

Host Organization: McKinley Presidential Library & Museum Runs: March 24 – June 11, 2022

Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Location: 800 McKinley Monument Dr NW, Canton OH 44708 Admission: $10 for adults, $9 for seniors, $8 for children 3-18 Contact: 330-455-7043 • www.McKinleyMuseum.org

ABOUT THE MUSEUM

The McKinley Presidential Library & Museum is located at 800 McKinley Monument Dr NW in Canton. The Keller Gallery is the Museum’s temporary exhibition space and features a variety of topics each year. The Museum also includes the McKinley National Memorial, McKinley Gallery, Street of Shops, The Stark County Story, Discover World, Ramsayer Research Library, and the Hoover-Price Planetarium. The Museum is open Tuesday – Saturday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The Museum is closed Sunday and Monday.