Utah Family and Material Culture of WWII | Perspectives 2025

How have everyday objects and cherished family memories become our most powerful link to Utah’s World War II experience? This interactive lecture, featuring object stories from the “Bringing War Home” project archive, goes beyond textbooks to show how personal artifacts can act as time capsules. We’ll explore how these tangible items, paired with the stories passed down through generations, shape our understanding of how ordinary Utahns faced extraordinary challenges. Join us to see how memory is preserved, not just in history books, but in the things we hold most dear.

Event details: Wednesday, Nov. 12, from 7-8 pm at the Logan Library, hosted in partnership with the Cache Valley Historical Society
Logan Library
285 N Main
Logan, Utah 84321

RSVP HERE

Speaker: Molly Cannon is an Assistant Professor in Anthropology and serves as Executive Director and Curator for the Museum of Anthropology. She shares her research through public programming and exhibits with USU and Cache Valley communities.

This lecture is being offered as part of a larger series entitled: Perspectives Lecture Series: Exploring Utah’s WWII Experience. 

Overview

What was Utah’s World War II experience? The Utah Historical Society’s 2025 Perspectives series will explore this question from a variety of perspectives, linking past experiences to the present through the stories and voices that shaped our state’s history and culture. From front-line soldiers to extensive homefront efforts due to Utah’s strategic location, Utahn’s varied experiences have left a profound legacy that can still be felt across the state today. This series aims to explore how we honor and remember Utahn’s service, sacrifice, and experiences.