Lauren Caravati – The UncommonWealth

Joseph Jenkins Roberts: Norfolk to Liberia to Norfolk

In the 1940s, as shipyards and military installations swelled with new workers and service members, the city rushed to construct housing developments to accommodate them.…

Lauren CaravatiMarch 18, 2026

Digital Projects Newspapers

“Radford is Boomingest Town in Virginia”

In 1940, the U.S. government contracted the Hercules Powder Company to build a massive manufacturing plant in the New River Valley, just outside Radford, Virginia.…

Lauren CaravatiDecember 3, 2025

Archives Digital Projects

Do You Want to Join the Gallon Club?

It was well understood during World War II that blood transfusions saved lives. However, prior to the 1930s, one of the only ways to provide…

Lauren CaravatiSeptember 22, 2025

Archives Digital Projects

“It’s Gonna Be A Gosh Darn Good Affair”: The Lackey USO Club

During World War II, various USOs were established across Virginia. The United Service Organizations is a nonprofit organization that provides military service members and their…

Lauren CaravatiMay 7, 2025

Archives Digital Projects

Denied Benefits, Forgotten Heroes: The Hidden Cost of WWII Blue Discharges

In previous blog posts and during events discussing the Virginia WWII Separation Notices collection, I've provided some background on the history of this collection and…

Lauren CaravatiFebruary 19, 2025

Archives Digital Projects Manuscripts & Special Collections

Building Towards Victory: The WWII Population Boom of Norfolk

The population in Norfolk, Portsmouth, and the greater Hampton Roads area greatly increased during World War II. Individuals and families moved to the area for…

Lauren CaravatiNovember 6, 2024

Archives Digital Projects

“We Can Do It.”: Women Who Served in World War II

Watch some fireworks and turn on the barbeques, but let’s also celebrate by highlighting Virginia women veterans of World War II, helping protect our country…

Lauren CaravatiJuly 3, 2024

Archives Digital Projects

World War II Military Athletics

Whether serving abroad or on the home front, sports were a large part of everyday life in the military during World War II.Many different sports…

Lauren CaravatiMay 8, 2024

Archives Digital Projects

Acts of Valor in World War II

On March 25th, we commemorate National Medal of Honor Day, providing an opportunity to explore the stories of the fifteen Virginians who were honored with…

Lauren CaravatiMarch 25, 2024

Archives Digital Projects

Red Cross Women and Donuts in World War II

The American Red Cross had over seven million volunteers during World War II and provided many services and supplies that impacted the war and troops1.…

Lauren CaravatiJanuary 3, 2024

Archives Digital Projects

World War II Separation Notices: Marines Collection and Future

The World War II Separation Notices: U.S. Marine Corps collection is now up on From the Page for indexing! This collection debuted this past September…

Lauren CaravatiNovember 8, 2023