A unique wooden keepsake box recently found a new home at the Fort McCoy History Center. This box, decorated with intricate carvings and labeled “Gefangenschaft Amerika 1944,” was donated by Rosanna Laude, who runs the Upscale Rummage store in Libertyville, Illinois. She discovered it among donations at her shop and decided it deserved a better purpose than just being sold.
After examining the box, Fort McCoy staff confirmed that the correct inscription translates to “Imprisonment America 1944.” Now, questions arise about its origins: Was it made at Camp McCoy, or somewhere else?
Ryan J. Howell, an archaeologist at Fort McCoy, shares insights about German prisoners of war (POWs) during World War II. Many were held at Camp McCoy, but they also worked in smaller camps across Wisconsin and northern Illinois, including areas near Libertyville. Howell suggests the box may have been created in one of these smaller camps rather than at Camp McCoy itself.
During the war, Camp McCoy had facilities, like a woodshop, where POWs could work on arts and crafts. Howell mentions, “The German POWs were encouraged to pursue arts and crafts, which allowed them to express their creativity during their time in captivity.”
A team of archaeologists from Colorado State University has also joined the research on this box’s history. They have been studying the experiences of POWs at Fort McCoy and how they spent their time when not working. Their findings reveal that POWs engaged in a variety of activities, such as sports, art, and social gatherings, supported by the camp administration and organizations like the YMCA.
According to a report from 2023, German POWs were the majority at Camp McCoy until mid-1944, when the population shifted as more Japanese POWs arrived. This fluctuation continued until the program ended in 1946 when the remaining German prisoners were the last group on site.
This crafted box will soon be part of the POW display at the Fort McCoy History Center. This center features various artifacts from that era, highlighting the experiences of POWs during World War II. Visitors can also find historical markers throughout Fort McCoy that indicate the locations of the former POW camps.
The Fort McCoy History Center serves as a reminder of the past, preserving stories and items from a time that shaped many lives. You can learn more about the history of POWs at Camp McCoy through various online resources.
Fort McCoy, the only U.S. Army installation in Wisconsin, proudly supports military training for thousands of service members each year. Its motto emphasizes being a “Total Force Training Center,” honoring its role in the military community.
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