Courage in Cummington: the WWII Refugees

"Courage in Cummington: The WWII Refugees", a special exhibit at the Kingman Tavern Museum complex. In 1940, Cummington minister Reverend Carl Sangree organized a temporary haven in a home in Cummington for recently emigrated European refugees.  Between 1940 and 1944, a total of 39 refugees, many of whom were artists and intellectuals, used their time at the hostel to refine and retool their skills to find permanent jobs and homes in the United States. This exhibit centers the refugees' stories of exile and new experiences in America. We will also be screening the short film, "The Cummington Story" made at the end of WWII as a pro-US propaganda movie which was mostly shown overseas. The film has a score by Aaron Copeland. The main museum will also have our collection of World War II uniforms on display as well as more artwork by the refugees.