Rosies—Then & NowRosie the Riveter Trust Dinner • April 13, 2013

oil house significance

The oil house is not shown on the original architectural or structural drawings for the ford Motor company assembly Plant complex. however, the construction, brickwork, industrial metal sash windows, clearly indicates that it was designed by the same architect, albert Kahn associates, and was constructed in or around the same 1930 date as the rest of the complex. The function of the building was essential to the assembly line operation housing multiple large oil tanks that fueled the boilers that, in turn, ran the steam powered conveyor system and equipment of the plant. oil tanks were located in the lower level as well as within the east gallery of the building. The west gallery of the building served as a general workshop for various support and maintenance activities. The lower level was accessible only through a tunnel from the main Plant building and from a narrow enclosed ladder from within the oil house itself.

What was old is new again. on May 26, 2012, after a successful restoration, the oil house reopened as the Rosie the Riveter/World War ii home front national historical Park Visitor education center. Temporary exhibits tell the nation’s stories of trial and triumph, a classroom hosts a variety of youth programs, and the theater shows two movies that give multiple perspectives of the WW ii home front. The site looks forward to the installation of permanent exhibits in 2014. This project has been a shining example of adaptive reuse by maintaining the historic integrity of the oil house while giving it a new purpose.

Morgan M. smithchief of interpretation, education and outreachRosie the Riveter/WWii home front national historical Park

Rosies—Then & Now Rosie the Riveter Trust DinnerSaturday, April 13, 2013craneway Pavillion — 1414 harbour Way south, Richmond, ca shuttle bus available from parking lot at end of harbour Way south

6:00 pm—Cocktails located at the Visitor center inside the historic oil house:7:00 pm—Dinner located at the craneway conference center Dress code: Business casual (40’s cocktail wear encouraged)Please RsVP by april 1

Please join us!

Rosies—Then & Now Dinner Committee

Jane Bartke, co-chairleyna Bernstein

Rosemary BlaylockDonna Deckard, co-chair

Diane hedlerWendy MarinaccioMarsha Mather-Thift

Morgan smith

Rosie the Riveter Board of Directors

Jane Bartke, PresidentTom Butt

Mark cameronDianne Dunlapcathy DurfeeDiane hedlererwin ReevesVera Rowseynicholas Targ

Philip Young, legal counsel

Marsha Mather-Thrift, executive Director

The WoRlD WaR ii hoMe fRonT engaged americans in a manner that has since been unequaled. Poignantly revealed in the stories of those who experienced this chapter in history, the changes to society and industry had a lasting and sweeping impact on the nation.

like other cities throughout the country, Richmond, california, emerged as an industrial center to support america’s war effort. its four shipyards once constituted the most productive World War ii shipyard operation in the united states. Wartime support services including healthcare, daycare, education, and housing programs evolved to support a diverse population of migrating workers and families, while local manufacturing plants and businesses converted to meet wartime needs. Through Rosie the Riveter/World War ii home front national historical Park, america remembers a time that forever changed the way we work and relate to one another.

Rosie the Riveter Trust is dedicated to preserving the home front story. our goals are to develop the Park’s major visitor center in the historic ford assembly Plant; preserve and interpret historic buildings/structures and improve visitor access to shipyard no. 3; preserve and interpret the WW ii child care centers; and collect and display stories and artifacts of home front participants.

Rosies—Then & Now Dinner | www.rosietheriveter.org

Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park

Tom leatherman, superintendentMorgan M. smith, chief of interpretation

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