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Rare U.S. vintage poster collection coming to Simi Town Center
By Anonymous — Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011
‘Hooray for the U.S.A.!’ begins March 5 with special ceremony, and will continue at indoor gallery through Memorial Day
  SIMI VALLEY, CA. - Simi Valley Town Center announces an exhibit of rare, original military posters, art and propaganda from World War I through the present day – a collection not typically found in the Western United States. The assortment features pieces commissioned by the U.S. government to inspire pro-American mindsets and help mobilize citizens to support war efforts. The “Hooray for the U.S.A.!” exhibit is set to open with a special ceremony at 1 p.m. March 5 in Center Court, with presentations by the commander of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars post, representatives of each military branch and Simi Valley Civil Air Patrol. Featured will be rare military propaganda posters dating from 1915 through the 1940s, as well as other artistic pieces from other wars and conflicts through present day. About 30 World War I and at least 20 World War II historic posters – for military recruitment, urging the purchase of war bonds, offering information for families to grow food at home and more – will be displayed from the collection of Simi Valley resident Nigel Boucher. “They show the theme of World War I and World War II in posters,” Boucher said. “Especially in World War I when they did not have television or radio, and in World War II before most people had televisions. The government basically told the story in the posters, in the propaganda.” After March 5, “Hooray for the U.S.A.!” will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays through the end of May, as well as select weekday hours, in Space No. 605 right in Center Court at 1555 Simi Town Center Way in Simi Valley. It is the first time Boucher’s collection will be displayed in such a manner for public display. Such exhibits are more common in the Eastern United States, such as at the MacArthur Memorial in Norfolk, Virginia, but not on the West Coast. Additionally, some institutions and organizations provide replicas, while Boucher’s collection is comprised entirely of originals. The pieces illustrate the patriotic spirit of the period when the United States was involved in the two major wars of the 20th century. As America entered World War I in April 1917, the government immediately began producing many more propaganda posters than any other nation. The posters encompassed recruitment to the various armed services, as well as financing the war through bond issues, urging food conservation and natural resources by civilians at home, and impressing the need for secrecy regarding military operations. Today the posters show how Americans learned about the significant historic events before television, radio broadcasts, the Internet and instant news reports, Boucher said. The posters were created using a lithographic limestone or regular lithography before the common use of photography or other types of printing methods and are rare now. “These posters basically told the whole story of the war to the American public,” Boucher said. “You can see the history. The story was not told in the media and radio, it was on these posters.” There is no charge to visit the exhibit, but organizers seek donations to support local veterans in need. “We have to help the veterans of Simi Valley, the ones who need food and housing,” said Boucher, who serves as Junior Vice Commander of VFW Post 10049 of Simi Valley as well as chairman of the Town Center Exhibit. Boucher and the Simi Valley Veterans of Foreign Wars Post also will arrange special displays honoring the estimated 40,000 Americans still missing in action since World War II; the estimated 150,000 Americans still either missing in action or prisoners of war; and the history of the VFW dating back to the Spanish-American War. Also planned are guest presentations on Saturdays on military topics to be announced, as well as a tribute to Gold Star mothers and families with their permission. “We’re trying to pay tribute to our local community,” said Rita Rohkar, president of the Ladies Auxiliary for VFW Post 10049. A VFW community service officer may be scheduled during weekdays to be available to assist veterans in need, Boucher said. About Simi Valley Town Center |
