Rosie the Riveter and the Rosies at the Rochester Hills Public Library

The Rochester Hills Public Library (RHPL) welcomes Donnaleen Lanktree of the American Rosie the Riveter Association on Thursday, January 17 to tell the stories of several influential “Rosies” she has met throughout the years. An icon of WWII, Rosie the Riveter represents the women who worked in factories and shipyards during the war. Today, she lives on as a symbol of American feminism and workplace equality. “Rosie the Riveter is so much more than a labor campaign from WWII. Her legacy … [Read more...]

Breaking the Enigma Code May 17

Discover the Story of the Unsung Hero of WWII at the Rochester Hills Public Library The Rochester Hills Public Library is excited to host “Breaking the Enigma Code: One WWII Event That Changed the World,” presented by Professor Frank Cardiman, May 17 from 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Oakland University professor Frank Cardiman presents another installment in the 2018 Smart Towns topic, Agents of Change series at the Rochester Hills Public Library (RHPL). This presentation will focus on the … [Read more...]

Hollywood in World War II

Learn About Hollywood in WWII at the Rochester Hills Public Library World War II took a toll on everyone and Hollywood was included. Learn about the celebrities who served in the US Military during WWII at the event, When Hollywood Went to War on Tuesday, February 20 at 7:00 p.m. You know the names, people like Kirk Douglas, Beatrice Arthur, Henry Fonda, Tyrone Power and Audie Murphy. But did you know all of them served during WWII? Learn about the nearly 90 celebrities who heard Uncle … [Read more...]

Christmas 1942 in Rochester, Remembering the Fight and Loss of the War

Virginia MacLeod and Christmas 1942 in Rochester  Seventy-five years ago, Rochester’s Christmas season was a memorable one – for a tragic reason. The end of the first year of the Second World War brought with it rationing restrictions, worries about absent loved ones, and the shock of a wartime-related death that happened not overseas, but right here at home.  There were no big, bright holiday lights on Rochester’s Main Street in December 1942. The news from the fighting fronts was … [Read more...]

Local Woman Shares Her Story on Harboring Jewish Refugees in WWII at Rochester Hills Public Library

Hear one woman’s story of how her and her family harbored eight Jewish refugees during World War II, October 19 at 7:00 p.m.   As a young child, Anneke Burke-Kooistra had no idea that eight other people, fleeing persecution, were living in her house. Only after the war ended did she learn of the Jewish refugees, her parents had kept hidden, in a five-foot space beneath her floorboards. “With love in your heart there's no room for hate,” says Burke-Kooistra, “if we can't be there for one … [Read more...]

Rochester Hills Museum presents Veteran’s Day Lecture

The Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm will be presenting Deception, Spies, and Bravery at D-Day on Thursday, November 7 at 7:00 p.m. at the Dairy Barn. Admission is free for members of the Rochester Hills Museum and veterans. The cost for non-members is $5 for adults and $3 for seniors and students. Guest speaker Frank Cardimen will be highlighting some of the brave soldiers, leaders, and spies that helped bring about the downfall of the Nazis in Europe. To register for this lecture … [Read more...]

Rochester Hills Museum presents World War II Event: War in the Pacific

The Rochester Hills Museum and the Detroit Arsenal of Democracy™ Museum will present a World War II event on Friday, May 10 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. featuring lectures and a convoy to Rochester and Saturday, May 11 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. "War in the Pacific" will feature military and armored vehicles, weapon demonstrations, historical lectures, exhibits in the Museum dairy barn through June 1, and military vendors. One of the featuring pieces of equipment is a WWII LVT Landing Tank … [Read more...]

Honor Flight Michigan: The Legacy

Join us to watch the full length family friendly documentary Honor Flight Michigan: The Legacy on Thursday, September 13, at 6:30 p.m. at the Rochester Hills Public Library. The film will be followed by a question and answer period with the film’s director Gabe Downey and one of Honor Flight Michigan’s board member’s, Tim Downey.  Honor Flight Michigan: The Legacy documentary tells the life stories of several Michigan soldiers who served their country some 60 years ago during WWII and then … [Read more...]

“Driven to Victory” WWII Display at Museum August 28th

The Rochester Hills Museum and the Detroit Arsenal of Democracy Museum present a World War II event on Saturday, August 28 from 9-5 p.m.  Driven to Victory will feature Allied and Axis campsites, military and armored vehicles, weapon demonstrations, and battle reenactments at 12:30 pm and 4:00 p.m.  In addition, there will be displays and vendors selling military memorabilia. Admission is $5 adults, $3 for seniors and students.  World War II and Korean conflict veterans and Museum members are … [Read more...]