 Thousands of Army soldiers camped out and held mock battles throughout Union Parish in 1941 as part of Louisiana Maneuvers exercises. Here, a machine gunner is stationed at the corner of E. Bayou and Washington streets in Farmerville. (Photo courtesy Marilyn Ludwig Wilhite)
___ Speakers scheduled during "Call to Arms" exhibit Two experts will share their knowledge in talks scheduled during the "Call to Arms" exhibit in the museum. On Thursday, August 2, at 4:30 p.m. Jeanette Herren of the Selman Field Historical Association will discuss the Army Air Corps Navigation School that was at the base near Monroe during World War II. Selman Field was the largest navigation school in the United States in its time and the nation's only complete navigation course—from start to finish—during World War II. It turned out more than 15,000 navigators for service in European and Pacific theaters. On Thursday, August 23, at 4:30 p.m., Cpt. Richard Moran (ret.), curator of the Louisiana Maneuvers and Military Museum, will discuss details of the massive military training exercises that brought more than 400,000 soldiers to the state in 1941. The maneuvers were credited with preparing troops and their leaders for ultimate success in war. Click button below to create a printable flier about these two speakers: |
EXHIBIT HOURS: Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed for lunch); Saturday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Now open:
"A Call to Arms" The newly opened exhibit in Union Museum of History and Art explores how North Louisiana prepared the nation for entry into World War II and set the stage for America's ultimate victory. “A Call to Arms: Louisiana Preps for WWII” features photographs and artifacts about the Louisiana Maneuvers, Louisiana Army Ammunition Plant, Selman Field, Barksdale Field, and other projects that helped America and its allies win the peace. The exhibit is sponsored by a generous gift from Read Lumber and Supply. The "Call to Arms" exhibit will be open through Sept. 7. Union Parish itself saw action during the Louisiana Maneuvers in September 1941, as thousands of soldiers practiced in the area before heading to the mock battles further south. Marilyn Ludwig Wilhite, now age 96, vividly recalls those days in the museum's documentary video posted on You Tube. Click HERE TO SEE THE VIDEO (go to 21:06 to see Mrs. Wilhite talk about the maneuvers.) Civilian families were generous with their hospitality to the soldiers, inviting them to share meals and take baths and enjoy social events such as dances. In return, the soldiers put on band concerts and showed off military equipment to awed youngsters. It was a festive time that had a serious mission: prepare the Army for war. 
Army cavalry unit moves along Main Street of Farmerville in 1941. (Photo courtesy Marilyn Ludwig Wilhite)
Thanks to exhibit contributors
Sincere thanks to these individuals and organizations who created the "Call to Arms" exhibit through their research and/or donation of photographs, artifacts, videos, and other items Chennault Aviation and Military Museum, artifacts, Monroe Lum Farr, artifacts, Farmerville Jeanette Herren, Selman Field Historical Association, research and artifacts, W. Monroe Beverly Jay, artifacts, Farmerville Jean Jones, curator and artifacts, Bernice Veryl Jones, artifacts Phamie Colvin Martin, research and artifacts, Ruston Richard Moran, Louisiana Maneuvers Museum, research and artifacts, Pineville Jean Colvin Moore, artifacts, Ruston Debbie Neely, artifacts, Farmerville Jimmy B. Odom, U.S. Army flag, Farmerville Rickey Robertson, Louisiana Maneuvers research, Florien, LA Dorothy Golden Smith and Wanda Smith Witherington, memoirs and artifacts, Bernice Rebecca and Leroy Stenzel, research and artifacts and 1940s music, Bernice Carol Ann Tubbs, research, Monroe Gabriel and Zachary Tynes, B-17 model, Farmerville Tom Warziniack, USAF (ret.), research and U.S. flag, Farmerville Marilyn Ludwig Wilhite, photographs and memoirs, Farmerville Fred Worthington, “Ten Days in September” video, Pineville, LA |
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"First Friends" of the Museum
Sincere thanks go to these individuals and organizations that launched the museum in 2014
by underwriting the gallery construction expenses.
The Lions Club of Farmerville - Lighting System Sponsor
Union General Hospital - Community Showcase Sponsor
Bruce and Cindy Hampton - Large Display Panel Sponsor (2)
Plum Creek -- Lead Flooring Sponsor
Architecture +, Monroe, LA
The Carr Family - Fred, Tommy, Jeffery, Tinnie, and Deanna -- Large Display Panel Sponsor
Community Trust Bank (now Origin Bank) -- Large Display Panel Sponsor
The Futch Family - Alan, Lance,Todd, and Jimmye Carol -- Large Display Panel Sponsor
The Gazette -- Large Display Panel Sponsor
Steve and Jean Jones -- Flooring Sponsor
Kilpatrick Funeral Homes -- Large Display Panel Sponsor
Nancy Love -- Large Display Panel Sponsor
Read Lumber and Supply -- Flooring Sponsor
Jerry and Joan Taylor -- Flooring Sponsor
Brittany and Steve Unkel -- Large Display Panel Sponsor
Ricky and Debbie Albritton -- Display Panel Sponsor
The Banner -- Display Panel Sponsor
John Belton -- Display Panel Sponsor
Dr. Clyde Brashier -- Display Panel Sponsor
Town of Farmerville -- Display Panel Sponsor
Lum and Dottie Farr -- Display Panel Sponsor
The Museum is forever indebted to the Union Parish Chamber of Commerce, which began the museum idea as a special study project in 2011. The Chamber's Board of Directors enabled the concept to become a reality, and today the Union Museum of History and Art is an independent 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose exhibit gallery is located in the Chamber building.
Sincere thanks go to these individuals and organizations that launched the museum in 2014
by underwriting the gallery construction expenses.
The Lions Club of Farmerville - Lighting System Sponsor
Union General Hospital - Community Showcase Sponsor
Bruce and Cindy Hampton - Large Display Panel Sponsor (2)
Plum Creek -- Lead Flooring Sponsor
Architecture +, Monroe, LA
The Carr Family - Fred, Tommy, Jeffery, Tinnie, and Deanna -- Large Display Panel Sponsor
Community Trust Bank (now Origin Bank) -- Large Display Panel Sponsor
The Futch Family - Alan, Lance,Todd, and Jimmye Carol -- Large Display Panel Sponsor
The Gazette -- Large Display Panel Sponsor
Steve and Jean Jones -- Flooring Sponsor
Kilpatrick Funeral Homes -- Large Display Panel Sponsor
Nancy Love -- Large Display Panel Sponsor
Read Lumber and Supply -- Flooring Sponsor
Jerry and Joan Taylor -- Flooring Sponsor
Brittany and Steve Unkel -- Large Display Panel Sponsor
Ricky and Debbie Albritton -- Display Panel Sponsor
The Banner -- Display Panel Sponsor
John Belton -- Display Panel Sponsor
Dr. Clyde Brashier -- Display Panel Sponsor
Town of Farmerville -- Display Panel Sponsor
Lum and Dottie Farr -- Display Panel Sponsor
The Museum is forever indebted to the Union Parish Chamber of Commerce, which began the museum idea as a special study project in 2011. The Chamber's Board of Directors enabled the concept to become a reality, and today the Union Museum of History and Art is an independent 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose exhibit gallery is located in the Chamber building.