Submitted by Leslie Cade on
In The Use of Art and Artists in Times of War, museum director William Milliken wrote, “the Cleveland Museum of Art stands ready in the present mobilization of American resources to dedicate its energies and its facilities in every way within its powers for the complete success in the great task which is before us…The [museum] offers any help at its command in the mobilization of art and artists for victory.”
This publication was used by over eight hundred institutions throughout the country during World War II. To complement the publication, Milton S. Fox, museum employee and chairman of the Civilian Camouflage Committee of the Cuyahoga County Council for Civilian Defense, developed a lantern slide program and booklet on camouflage illustrating both man made camouflage techniques as well as nature as camoufleur. This program was intended for schools training soldiers in camouflage techniques and for, “persons who must make an objective hard to find, by land, sea, and especially air.” It was only one of many efforts by the museum to keep the community informed during wartime. Explore more images on the archives' tumblr.