Museum Hours: Sunday 1-4pm Monday (closed) Tue through Sat 10am-4pm Group Tours Available By Reservation Steve Appleby Museum Director Contact Jay P. Tennies Business Manager Contact 201 Main Street P.O. Box 273 Eldred, PA 16731 (814) 225-2220 Email: info@eldredwwiimuseum.net |
Preserving the History of World War II
National Munitions Company
“Why is there a World War II museum in Eldred?”
This is a common question received by staff at the Eldred WWII Museum. The answer
lies in a munitions plant that was operated in the Eldred area during the war. The
plant did not start out as an American operation, however. George Roudebush, an
American lawyer, with J.W. Whitmore, a Canadian, found the Eldred area to be a
suitable location for a munitions plant that would serve British armed forces. The
National Munitions Company began operation in mid 1941, before the United States
became actively involved in World War II. Production for American armed forces began
after December 7, 1941.
Approximately 1,500 people worked in this facility and once our boys went off to war,
95% of National Munitions Company’s employees were women. During peak
production the plant stretched across 1,800 acres with proving grounds in New York
state. Types of munitions assembled at the plant were British 3 inch trench mortars,
2 inch smoke projectiles, incendiary bombs, bomb fuses, and thermite hand
grenades. Operations ceased once the war ended and the plant was later dismantled.
“Why is there a World War II museum in Eldred?”
This is a common question received by staff at the Eldred WWII Museum. The answer
lies in a munitions plant that was operated in the Eldred area during the war. The
plant did not start out as an American operation, however. George Roudebush, an
American lawyer, with J.W. Whitmore, a Canadian, found the Eldred area to be a
suitable location for a munitions plant that would serve British armed forces. The
National Munitions Company began operation in mid 1941, before the United States
became actively involved in World War II. Production for American armed forces began
after December 7, 1941.
Approximately 1,500 people worked in this facility and once our boys went off to war,
95% of National Munitions Company’s employees were women. During peak
production the plant stretched across 1,800 acres with proving grounds in New York
state. Types of munitions assembled at the plant were British 3 inch trench mortars,
2 inch smoke projectiles, incendiary bombs, bomb fuses, and thermite hand
grenades. Operations ceased once the war ended and the plant was later dismantled.
| Eldred WWII Museum & Learning Center 201 Main Street Eldred, PA 16731 814-225-2220 Eldred is 80 miles south of Buffalo, NY |
| Admission Fee Adult-$5 Child 18 and under-Free Groups of 10+-$3 |
The Eldred World War II Museum
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