You are cordially invited to our opening reception on November 25.
Women’s History at Fort Monmouth – Our newest exhibit at InfoAge
The history of Fort Monmouth began in 1917 when, as part of its wartime mobilization, the U.S. Army authorized four training camps for signal troops. One, Camp Alfred Vail, would become “Fort Monmouth,” in honor of the soldiers of the American Revolution who fought and died at the nearby Battle of Monmouth. The Army Signal Corps at Fort Monmouth trained thousands of men for WWI. They built laboratories that pioneered technologies, like air to ground radio, and in later years radar and satellites. When the U.S. Army struggled to fulfill wartime quotas from an ever-shrinking pool of male candidates during WWII, they began using uniformed women in organizations such as the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC), established in 1942, to solve manpower shortages.
More than 150,000 courageous, pioneering women served in uniform during World War II. Their effectiveness led to the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act of 1948, which guaranteed women a permanent place in the military services, and in 1978 women were fully integrated into the Regular Army. Historically women played a critical role in the workforce at Fort Monmouth and its subposts like Camp Evans – in both civilian and uniformed roles. Women in the armed services continue to break down barriers today.
In June 2022, Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore Cadette Troop 177 approached InfoAge leadership about earning their Silver Award at the Camp Evans National Historic Landmark. It was decided that they would help fund and curate a new women’s history exhibit. Over the course of a year, Giuliana Demma, Mahi Shah, and Julia Calamia learned the skills of a public historian in personalized workshops, sat in on classes at Monmouth University, processed archival collections and researched the history of women at Fort Monmouth and Camp Evans, and much more as they worked towards their goal. Thanks to all who contributed to Troop 177’s fundraising, especially the “Silver Award” level sponsors.
Please Join Us for an Opening Reception
Saturday, November 25, 2023
10:00 AM light refreshments
11:00 AM ribbon cutting
the InfoAge campus of museums will be open 12-5:00 PM
