Bay Area

National Park Service Designates Richmond as ‘American WWII Heritage City

The National Park Services (NPS) named Richmond as among 11 new cities to be designated as “American World War II Heritage Cities.” World War II Heritage Cities program was established by the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act of 2019. The program honors contributions of towns, cities, and counties where citizens stepped into the workforce to support America’s war effort during WWII.

Published

2 years ago

January 24, 2024

Oakland Post

Rosie the Riveter Visitors Center, 1414 Harbour Way S #3000.

Richmond Standard

The National Park Services (NPS) named Richmond as among 11 new cities to be designated as “American World War II Heritage Cities.”

World War II Heritage Cities program was established by the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act of 2019. The program honors contributions of towns, cities, and counties where citizens stepped into the workforce to support America’s war effort during WWII.

Only one American World War II Heritage City can be designated in each state or territory, according to the NPS.

The Richmond Kaiser Shipyards built over 740 vessels for the war effort, “a feat not equaled anywhere else in the world, before or since.” Thousands of men and women worked to support the effort, a workforce that would grow Richmond’s population from 20,000 to more than 100,000 in three years.

Like Richmond, many industrial centers across the U.S. became boom towns when patriotic individuals and families relocated for good-paying jobs that supported the war effort.

Communities joining Richmond as newly designated American WWII Heritage Cities are Foley, Ala.; Tempe, Ariz.; Wilmington, Del.; Waterloo, IA; Baltimore County, MD; Johnson County and Warrensburg, MO (joint community nomination); Hastings, Neb.; Boulder City and Henderson, NV (joint community nomination); Yonkers, NY; and Bedford County, VA.