<p> Union Station Canteen S2917 1941-1946 1 folder</p><p>Manuscripts & Rare Books Division Indiana State Library</p><p>Finding Aid by: Nikki Stoddard Schofield, November 2013</p><p>Organizational History:</p><p>The Union Station Canteen opened on December 21, 1941 and closed on March 31, 1946. The location was the southwest corner of the Union Station Concourse. Almost two million members of the armed forces and their families used the facilities during World War II. Volunteers offered refreshments, recreation, letter writing, sewing, and information. Katherine W. Atkins, the Canteen Director, wrote this eleven-page history. </p><p>Source: Information Found within Collection ______</p><p>Scope and Content:</p><p>The typed history is organized in sections which explain the various aspects of the Canteen. Under the heading Army Forces, Ms. Atkins wrote: “they talked and the volunteers listened. They left with the certain knowledge that, at the Canteen, people were interested in them, and cared about them.” </p><p>Counter volunteers prepared and served orange juice, coffee, and donuts for breakfast. Because of an arrangement with the Union Station restaurant, no meals were served, just refreshments.</p><p>The Reception Desk in the Lounge provided information and offered overnight storage for baggage. After November 1942, Military Police were assigned to the Lounge so that it never closed. Hostesses filled the Coke machine, repaired billiard cues, sewed, checked luggage, and handled emergencies. Indianapolis clubs recruited volunteers to work at the Canteen. Volunteers had to be checked by the FBI and be between the ages of 25 and 50. There were also Junior Hostesses under 25.</p><p>Ms. Atkins lists some of the things various groups did, such as children decorating the Christmas tree, donating cookies and cakes, giving cigarettes and matches, and providing magazines and cards. She explains the administration and lists the officers of the Executive Committee. She lists herself as Mrs. Elias C. Atkins, Director. The last page is a statistical report giving numbers by years, with 1941-1942 together, then 1943, 1944, and 1945 in their own columns, and 1946 – 3 months, followed by a TOTAL column. ______</p><p>Photocopy Policy:</p><p>Manuscript material CANNOT be photocopied or digitized in its entirety. Photocopies and/or digital reproductions (i.e. scans, digital photographs) cannot exceed 25% of a COLLECTION or FOLDER within a collection. In some cases, photocopying may not be permitted due to the condition of the item. Please check with the Manuscript Librarian for possible alternatives. ______</p><p>Collection Inventory Folder and Item Listing:</p><p>Union Station Canteen. History from 1941 to 1946 </p><p>______</p><p>Collection Information:</p><p>Size of Collection: 1 folder Collection Dates: 1941-1946 Provenance: Katherine Atkins Access: The Collection is Open for Research Use Restrictions: None Reproduction Rights: Permission to reproduce, exhibit, or publish material in this collection must be obtained from the Manuscript and Rare Books Division, Indiana State Library. Language: Materials are entirely in: English Alternate Formats: None. Related Holdings: None. Collection Notes: None.</p>