Events and Activities : CP Historical Society plans 'Victory Gardens' presentation, July 20

Continuing its World War II theme, the Center Point Historical Society is hosting a program on the home front and victory gardens on Sunday, July 20, at 2 p.m. at the Depot Museum in Center Point. Speaker will be Ellen Skripsky, a long time Master Gardener from Cedar Rapids.

With rationing, and transportation and labor shortages growing and preserving your own food was a no-brainer during World War II. Of course most rural people always did it but with government encouragement they stepped up their efforts and city people jumped on the vegetable cart too. People planted vacant lots, roof tops and window boxes. Schools had victory gardens. Baseball fields were even plowed up for victory gardens.

Growing a victory garden was a way for folks on the home front to contribute to the war effort. Posters and government publications encouraged people to learn to can as patriotism. “Can all you can. It’s a real war job,” said one poster. “Plant a victory garden. Our food is fighting,” said another. By 1944 forty percent of all vegetables grown in the U.S. came from victory gardens.

The Historical Society program and admission to the Museum-- this year featuring WWII and the home front-- are free. The Depot Museum is open every Sunday from 2 to 4 through mid-October.