WWII Exhibition Highlights Southampton Stories of Service and Sacrifice

Eighty years after the end of World War II, the Southampton History Museum presents “Homefront to Battlefront: Southampton during World War II,” a new pop-up exhibition at Veterans Memorial Hall in Southampton honoring the courage, sacrifice and resilience of local men and women who lived through and served in this global conflict.

The show opened Saturday, May 24, and will remain on view every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. through November 29. It will then move to the Southampton Cultural Center, where it will remain on view through the end of the first week in December while the museum’s Rogers Mansion undergoes restoration.

Curated by Timothy Van Wickler, the museum’s director of operations and programs and an active-duty member of the U.S. National Guard, and Stephen Gould, the museum’s research associate with deep family ties to military service, “Homefront to Battlefront” focuses on the personal experiences of Southampton residents — soldiers, nurses and civilians — who shaped and were shaped by the war.

The exhibition is open exclusively on Saturdays so that Van Wickler and other museum professionals can be present to offer informal guidance, answer questions, and occasionally lead special programs related to the exhibit’s themes.

“It is an honor to tell the stories of these men and women from Southampton who served during World War II,” says Gould. “We often read about the big battles but rarely consider the experiences of those who fought them — on the front lines and here at home — some of whom made the ultimate sacrifice.”

Through personal artifacts, letters, photographs and oral histories, the exhibition offers a deeply intimate portrait of the community’s wartime experience. Van Wickler and Gould bring a unique perspective to their curatorial work, drawing connections between past and present military service and illuminating the enduring emotional and physical challenges shared across generations.

“We can always read about the generals and the battles, but our goal was to focus on the individuals from Southampton,” says Van Wickler. “Their stories, their roles, where they were stationed, what they endured — those human moments bring history to life.

“This exhibit is not just about struggle,” he adds. “It’s about resilience and achievement. It’s about honoring those who faced overwhelming odds and emerged with courage and conviction. That’s something special.”

“Nearly every family in Southampton was touched by World War II,” said Sarah Kautz, the Southampton History Museum’s executive director. “This exhibition offers a space to reflect on their experiences and celebrate their extraordinary bravery and resilience. We are honored to share these powerful stories and grateful to our partners who made this exhibition possible.”

Educational programs will accompany the exhibit throughout the summer beginning with “Kit & Combat,” on June 14, which will take a deeper look at the personal effects of soldiers in combat including their uniforms, packs, and other materials.

Veterans Memorial Hall is at 29 Pond Lane in Southampton, adjacent to the Southampton Cultural Center. For more information about the exhibition, visit southamptonhistory.org or call 631-283-2494 ext. 500.