Did you know the City of Richmond actually has a national park commemorating the women of World War II who pitched in to build ships, planes, tanks, and anything else needed to win that war?
Published: August, 2005
Did you know the City of Richmond actually has a national park commemorating the women of World War II who pitched in to build ships, planes, tanks, and anything else needed to win that war?
Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historic Park is only four years old, but already has a splendid exhibit in the Marina Green, not far from the shipyard plaque. The National Park Service (NPS) has been searching out former Rosies and doing oral histories, some of which can be heard at the exhibit.
The focal point of the park is the SS Red Oak Victory, a 455-foot long gray cargo ship that was launched by Kaiser Shipyards in Richmond on November 9, 1944. Named after the Iowa town that lost the highest percentage of its sons on the battlefront of World War II, the ship carried munitions and cargo. The ship docks at Kaiser’s former Shipyard No. 3, and, with a bit of perseverance, it can be found amongst the massive concrete structures and docks that are now filled with imported automobiles.
Thanks to the efforts of the Richmond Museum Association, the ship was rescued from the mothball fleet at Suisun Bay and towed to Richmond where it is being restored by a dedicated group of volunteers. And in the future, NPS would like to establish a visitors’ center in the old Ford Assembly Building at the foot of Harbour Way, where jeeps were built by the hundreds during World War II.
ROSIE THE RIVETER / WORLD WAR II HOME FRONT NATIONAL HISTORIC PARK
Driving directions:
Going West on 580
Take the Harbor Way North exit.
At the end of the off ramp, turn right onto Cutting Blvd.
Turn right onto Marina Way South.
Look for the signs reading Richmond City Hall South
Turn into the parking lot.
The Visitor Center is in the City Hall South main lobby.
Going East on 580
Take the Harbor Way South exit.
Cross Cutting Blvd., which becomes Hoffman Ave.
Turn right onto Harbor Way South.
Go about one mile and turn left onto Hall Avenue.
Turn right onto Marina Way South.
Look for the signs reading Richmond City Hall South
Turn into the parking lot.
The Visitor Center is in the City Hall South main lobby.
Visiting hours 10am - 3pm, Sat., Sun., Tue.
For more information call: (510) 222-9200 or visit www.nps.gov
