Item #3334 Photo Archive Relating to a Civil Defense Base, Documenting the Participation of Local Volunteer Barbara Aronson, a Ground Observer and Civil Defense Educator
Photo Archive Relating to a Civil Defense Base, Documenting the Participation of Local Volunteer Barbara Aronson, a Ground Observer and Civil Defense Educator
Photo Archive Relating to a Civil Defense Base, Documenting the Participation of Local Volunteer Barbara Aronson, a Ground Observer and Civil Defense Educator
Photo Archive Relating to a Civil Defense Base, Documenting the Participation of Local Volunteer Barbara Aronson, a Ground Observer and Civil Defense Educator
Photo Archive Relating to a Civil Defense Base, Documenting the Participation of Local Volunteer Barbara Aronson, a Ground Observer and Civil Defense Educator

Photo Archive Relating to a Civil Defense Base, Documenting the Participation of Local Volunteer Barbara Aronson, a Ground Observer and Civil Defense Educator

Syracuse, New York: 1956-1962. A collection of 160 black and white photographs, with 95 photos measuring 8 x 10” (many stamped “Official Photo U.S. Air Force” on the backs), one photo measuring 7 x 6”, and 64 photos measuring 3 x 3.5” to 4.5 x 6.5”. The photos belonged to Barbara Aronson, of Fayetteville, New York. The collection documents life and work in and around Hancock Field, an Air Defense Command Base, home to a Semi-Automatic Ground Environment Air Defense System (SAGE) station, a massive computing and communications system that coordinated radar data to protect from nuclear attack. The archive also documents Aronson's work as creator of Civil Defense displays, and as chair of the Hancock Field Civilian Military Council, Ground Observer Corps, and Air Force Association. Aronson was involved with the Civil Defense project in several ways--providing education and outreach to the community, entertaining the troops, and through her direct role as a ground observer. The lot includes the following items:

66 images documenting events held by the Air Force Association and Civilian Military Council (CMC) in conjunction with servicemen from Hancock Field in Syracuse, NY. Barbara Aronson was the chairman of the CMC and appears in many of the images--hosting a formal dinner, and touring the base and its aircraft (including a couple of images where she is strapped into a parachute). A series of smaller images show a barbeque, while a compelling group of larger format shots depict a beauty pageant called the “Sweetheart Ball”.

43 photographs of Civil Defense educational displays. These include:

Four 8 x 10” photos with a U.S. Air Force, Stewart A.F. Base, Newburgh, NY photographer's stamp on the back as well as printed captions tipped onto the backs. One shows a large plywood civil defense display in Kentucky, and another depicts a portable display by Bell Telephone shown fully packed up and ready to move.

A booklet of smaller format, close-up images of a civil defense display related to telephone communication during an emergency.

26 photographs (plus three duplicates) of Civil Defense displays set up by Barbara Aronson, including two small, stapled together photo booklets. There are several images of Barbara posing in front of her displays, Barbara posing with a group of servicemen holding model airplanes (an element in one of the displays), and shots of the displays in their context, showing a public school setting with onlookers. There are also two images of a display on The Semi-Automatic Ground Environment Air Defense System (SAGE), shown in a shopping mall.

Fourteen 8 x 10” photographs intended to illustrate the Air Defense systems at Hancock Airfield in Syracuse. Some are stamped by the Air Force, one is stamped by the General Electric branch in Syracuse, one is stamped by a news company, and one is stamped “Hancock Field.” These include printed captions tipped onto the backs, some rather lengthy, explaining the communications and radar systems used at the base, including SAGE. Images depict radars, infrastructure, airplanes, atomic explosions, and men at communications stations. It is possible that Aronson incorporated these images into her displays or used them for educational or research purposes in some way.

37 images of personnel and infrastructure at Hancock airfield, including a series of shots of a pilot strapping into an airplane, images of the grounds and buildings, a shot of the basketball team, a military parade, portraits of officers, and more.

An 8 x 10” image of Aronson posing at the Air Defense Command Ground Observer Corps Training Conference, Las Vegas, NV, 1957. The caption once tipped onto the back (now detached) provides context on Aronson’s participation in the event, “as part of the Air Force’s continuing program to provide maximum training and indoctrination to GOC skywatchers."

There are also several pieces of ephemera: a typed letter describing Aronson’s participation in Hancock Field Armed Forces day (she provided a display for the event); a printed flowchart depicting Civil Defense systems; a typed biography of Major General Joe Kelley, and two magazine clippings.

Contents in excellent condition, some photos creased, occasional soiling and minor chipping. Item #3334

Price: $300.00