Traveling museum tells little-known story

The TRACES BUSeum will visit the River Falls Public Library from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, May 11.

The mobile museum features an exhibit on the U.S. government’s internment of 15,000 German-Americans during World War II using 10 narrative panels, an NBC “Dateline” documentary and a 1945 U.S. Government color film about its unknown history.

The BUSeum is a traveling version of a permanent exhibit at TRACES Center for History and Culture in the Landmark Center in downtown St. Paul.

Even though they were American citizens, those targeted by the federal government lost their homes and livelihoods to war hysteria. Family members were separated. Some were deported back to war-time Germany, including Jews who had escaped from Nazi concentration camps and fled to America.

Families were arrested by authorities on the basis of questionable “tips” that spurred phone taps, intercepted mail and illegal searches. They were sent to more than 60 detention centers around the country,

This should be of particular interest to Wisconsinites as one of the first camps was at Camp McCoy, near Sparta. Also, a disproportionate number of those interned came from Wisconsin.

Of those imprisoned, not one was permitted legal representation, was charged with, tried for, or convicted of a war-related crime, according to World War II historian and TRACES Executive Director Michael Luick-Thrams.

The library will host a “brown bag” lunch discussion of this part of our national history from noon-1 p.m. that day. All are welcome. Bring your lunch and join in the discussion.

Topics include the program’s effectiveness and its moral implications both then and today.

The BUSeum will be parked at the library’s north entrance. There is no charge for admission. Please call 425-0905 for more information.