Hancock Servicemen's Center Collection

Collection — sc_box: MS 1, Folder: 47-48

Identifier: MS-467

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Collection, 1943-1944, of materials related to the Hancock Servicemen's Center during World War II. Included in the collection are a guest book with names of visitors to the Center and one scrapbook consisting of newspaper clippings documenting activities and individuals associted with the Center.

Dates

1943-1944

Conditions Governing Access

Available for use in the Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections.

Conditions Governing Use

Various copying restrictions apply. Guidelines are available from Michigan Technological University Archives & Copper Country Historical Collections.

Historical Note

Established on November 12, 1942, the Hancock Servicemen’s Center, referred to as a United Service Organizations (USO) club, was a recreational center created to provide a “suitable place of entertainment where servicemen stationed in the district or at home on leave may relax and enjoy themselves.” Servicemen were treated to Friday night parties and monthly celebrations sponsored by local organizations. The facility was initially open on evenings to accommodate the needs of the men stationed at the Coast Guard base, but was expanded to provide entertainment, activities, parties and celebrations to all visiting servicemen, including troops from Camp Pori.

Local young women in the community served as hostesses for the center and was overseen by a director and committee. In January 1944, Mrs. Thomas A. Coon was elected to serve as the center’s director through until its disbanding in July 1944.

Extent

0.07 cubic feet (2 legal folders)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Collection, 1943-1944, of materials related to the Hancock Servicemen's Center during World War II.

Related Materials

Related materials providing documentation of the Coon Family include the Coon Family Glass Plate Negatives (MS-072), the David S. Coon Newspaper Clippings and Correspondence (MS-909)m and the Thomas C. Roberts Trust Collection, (MS-994) at the Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections, Houghton, Michigan.