Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park

Join us for a powerful exploration of the Port Chicago disaster, the deadliest home front tragedy of World War II. This program features a gripping short film that brings the events of July 17, 1944, to life, along with a thought-provoking discussion led by experienced docent Diana King. Learn about the explosion that claimed 320 lives, the injustices that followed, and the lasting impact on the fight for civil rights in the U.S. military.

Join us for a special screening of a 19-minute documentary exploring the history of Japanese American incarceration during World War II. This poignant film sheds light on a chapter of American history too often overlooked, revealing the struggles, resilience, and lasting impact on those affected.

Each Friday at 2 PM, the screening is followed by a discussion with guest speaker Jim Oshima. Jim shares his family's personal story of incarceration, offering a heartfelt and firsthand perspective that deepens the film’s message.

While the documentary is shown daily in the visitor center, this Friday program provides a rare opportunity to connect history with lived experience. Don’t miss this powerful journey into the past, told through both film and personal testimony.

On most Fridays, you have the unique opportunity to meet real WWII Home Front workers. These extraordinary individuals, often referred to as "Rosies," are now in their late 90s and up, and provide an incredible firsthand connection to history. Programs are scheduled at 10:30 and 11:30.

Please note that due to their advanced age, we cannot guarantee their attendance. While we strive to confirm on the day of, last-minute changes may occur. If a Rosie is unavailable, a park docent will present a program highlighting the Rosies' significant contributions during the war.

Safety Note: For the health and safety of our Rosies, masks are required during all programs.

Dive into a lesser-known chapter of American history with author Lindsay Marie Morris: the experiences of Italian Americans on the West Coast during World War II. Based on the real events that inspired her historical novel Beneath the Sicilian Stars, Marie Morris brings to life the stories of Contra Costa County families labeled "enemy aliens" forced to evacuate their homes, as well as men imprisoned in internment camps.

Author, Steve Gilford explores how an "Ugly Duckling" Liberty Ship, a freighter, managed to sink a German cruiser.

Valerie Stoller, author of the historical novel “Shipyard Gals” and historian Jim Davis discuss the era of Rosie the Riveter in the Bay Area as well as the infamous Port Chicago disaster. Her novel takes place in 1944, with three women working in the Richmond shipyards. When a nearby US Naval base, Port Chicago, explodes, killing 320 men including 200 Black sailors, each woman must lean on her friends, and summon the courage to speak out against injustice.

Dr Matthew Mock, Professor of Psychology at the JFK School of Psychology and Social Sciences of National University speaks on the intergenerational trauma resulting from Japanese incarceration during WWII and the cultural strength, resilience, and commitment to the concept of "home” in contemporary families.

Retired history professor Jim Davis recounts how the home front and the Richmond Shipyards were shaped by the Roosevelt Administration and the New Deal programs.

Join us for a special screening of a 19-minute documentary exploring the history of Japanese American incarceration during World War II. This poignant film sheds light on a chapter of American history too often overlooked, revealing the struggles, resilience, and lasting impact on those affected.

Each Friday at 2 PM, the screening is followed by a discussion with guest speaker Jim Oshima. Jim shares his family's personal story of incarceration, offering a heartfelt and firsthand perspective that deepens the film’s message.

While the documentary is shown daily in the visitor center, this Friday program provides a rare opportunity to connect history with lived experience. Don’t miss this powerful journey into the past, told through both film and personal testimony.