U.S. Army Women’s Museum Archives
by Tanya Roth
Washington University in St. Louis
2100 A Avenue
Fort Lee, Virginia 23801
804.734.4327
Email: leeeAWMWeb@conus.army.mil
Website: http://www.awm.lee.army.mil/awm_archives.html
Directions to Fort Lee: http://www.lee.army.mil/installation.directions.access.aspx
The U.S. Army Women’s Museum includes an archive of materials related to the Women’s Army Corps (or WAC) from 1941 to 1978. The facility, which is small, includes a number of oral histories and personal collections donated by veterans. The archive is open to the public, but prospective researchers must contact an archivist at least three days prior to their proposed visit so that staff may identify and pull pertinent materials. The facility is closed on Mondays.
The museum is located on the grounds of Fort Lee, which is next to Petersburg and Hopewell, Virginia, approximately 30 to 45 minutes southeast of Richmond, Virginia. Because of its location, a car is the best mode of transportation between area hotels and the base. The Hampton Inn Petersburg/Hopewell is just over a mile down the road from the Lee Avenue Gate of the base, along with several other hotels.
Visitors to the base must obtain vehicle registration on their first visit. The appropriate building is located on the right immediately after you enter the base. You will need your driver’s license and proof of vehicle insurance. You should be able to obtain a pass good for your entire stay, but verify current policies when you speak to the archive staff.
(Summer 2010)