World War II was an incredibly difficult and formative time for the entirety of the United States, and Massachusetts was no exception. The conflict affected many aspects of life here in the Bay State. These photographs, taken between 1939 and 1945, show just how different things were here while war raged overseas.
- These women from Smith College in Northampton were accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service. They didn’t even have time change out of their street clothes before their initial drill session.
Yale Photogrammar/Unknown
- The women took on a rigorous schedule to learn the duties of an officer in the U.S. Naval Reserve.
Yale Photogrammar/Unknown
- During the war, gasoline was in short supply. It was more of a luxury than in peacetime.
Yale Photogrammar/Russell Lee
- Young men left to fight overseas, while older gentleman stepped in to fill their shoes in factories.
Yale Photogrammar/Albert Freeman
- Main Street in Provincetown doesn’t look too different today.
Flickr/John Collier
- This older man actually worked on steering riggings for submarines during World War I. Now, he contributes by operating this drill press for the war effort.
Yale Photogrammar/Albert Freeman
- Winchester native Colonel Julia E. Hamblet served two separate tours of duty with the Women Marines.
Flickr/Rocklin Lyons
- John D. Freitas was a Lowell native and WWII Navy veteran. He survived the war, and was honorably discharged in 1945.
Flickr/shutter [o] bug
- While their husbands were away, many women took the household income into their own hands and sold home crafts like these rugs along the Mohawk Trail
Yale Photogrammar/John Collier
- A Berkshire picnic in 1941. Even in wartime, families did what they could to relax and enjoy their time together.
Yale Photogrammar/John Collier
- This small graveyard in the Berkshires is the final resting place of fallen soldiers.
Yale Photogrammar/John Collier
Looking for another trip back in time? Take a look at these moving photos of Massachusetts during the Great Depression.
Yale Photogrammar/Unknown
Yale Photogrammar/Russell Lee
Yale Photogrammar/Albert Freeman
Flickr/John Collier
Flickr/Rocklin Lyons
Flickr/shutter [o] bug
Yale Photogrammar/John Collier
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