Civic Space Events

WHYY's Memorial Day Tribute is one of this month's special events
By Mary Eileen O'Connor

This month, WHYY rebroadcasts the American Experience special "War Letters," which highlights personal correspondence from every military conflict in America's history.

Based on Andrew Carroll's best-selling collection of war letters, the program brings to life the human side of war as witnessed by the men and women who served and those who waited anxiously at home.

On Thursday, May 23, Carroll will be part of WHYY's Memorial Day Tribute on the Battleship New Jersey, the culmination of a month of very special events that WHYY has created to honor and celebrate those who served our country during wartime.

Express your patriotism and honor your own family history by joining WHYY at these events inspired by "War Letters" and Andrew Carroll's Legacy Project:

Preserving Your Family's Past: Papers and Photographs (Part 1) on Thursday, May 2.
Conservators Joan Irving and Barbara Lemmen from the Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts (CCAHA) will illustrate easy-to-accomplish methods and materials for preserving family documents and photographs, using materials collected by WHYY from its members, at the WHYY Technology Center, 150 N. 6th St. in Philadelphia.

They will discuss conservation treatment processes and how to locate and work with a conservator, as well as the particulars of environment, framing and lighting. Written information on product sources and tips on care will also be available. This free presentation begins at 6 p.m. with refreshments. Reservations are required. Call (215) 351-2084 or visit www.whyy.org for information.

Preserving Your Family's Past: Papers and Photographs (Part 2) on Thursday, May 16.
Get a unique view of the conservation laboratories at the Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts, 264 S. 23rd St. in Philadelphia. Participants will view drawings, prints, watercolors, books, family documents and photographs currently in the conservation process and have the chance to speak with professional conservators about caring for family papers and photographs.

CCAHA is one of the largest non-profit regional conservation centers in the U.S. and specializes exclusively in the treatment of paper-based artifacts.

Free tours begin promptly at 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Space is limited and reservations will be accepted until the tours are filled. For information and reservations, call (215) 545-0613 or visit www.ccaha.org.

ALWAYS: A Memorial Day Tribute with Letters and Music on Thursday, May 23.
Andrew Carroll, author of War Letters, discusses the meaning of Memorial Day at WHYY's free celebration on the Battleship New Jersey on the waterfront in Camden. The festivities include the Red, White and Blue World War II Revue by the Westmont Theatre Company and original music by playwright Michael Ogborn based on war letters collected by WHYY.

The event begins promptly at 6:30 p.m.; seating begins at 5:30 p.m. Seating is limited and reservations are required. Call (215) 351-5866 or visit www.whyy.org for reservations and information. For _driving and parking directions, and to learn more about the history of the USS New Jersey and for tour information, visit www.battleship-newjersey.com.