Browse Items (415 total)

In early 1942, sugar was rationed; each rationing book contained 28 stamps, each stamp good for one week's ration of sugar. It is estimated that 3/4 pound of sugar was considered aweek's ration. To prevent people from stocking up on sugar, the…

On November 29, 1942 coffee joined the list of rationed items in the United States. While coffee production itself was not affected by the war, the distribution suffered as a result of the prioritization of the military's shipping needs. Demands…

Miscellaneous items could be purchased with the use of the stamps marked "Spare."

Stamps, such as these from the third ration book, were used to purchase various rationed items of the time.

During World War II, there was a great demand for various materials, such as rubber, iron, and steel. Junk drives, scrap drives, and other types of collection initiatives were made in an attempt to get the public involved and to donate old, unused…

This World War II medal, awarded to Byrd W. Long for his service in the United States Navy, is known as the World War II Victory medal. Made of red brass, the medal is a little less than 1.5 inches across; all members of the Armed Forces of the…

First Lieutenant Joseph N. Porter was initially an Army Exchange Officer and later a Supply Officer, Administrative. Between October 1942 to December 1944, Porter handled the requisition and distribution of Army post exchange supplies to the entire…

This certificate verifies Captain Joseph N. Porter's role in the Army of the United States between October 1942 and December 1944; the certificate also notes the ribbon and medal to be awarded to Mr. Porter for his service as an Exchange Officer in…

This response letter, dated September 8, 1933, was sent to Mr. W.A.C. Pettit of Fredericks Hall. While the contents of Pettit’s original letter to the Commissioner of Insurance and Banking are unknown, the response letter provides several details…

This 1933 notice, from the Virginia Bankers Association, lets bank employees know about the legal holiday declared by Governor Pollard. Notice the wording of this letter, such as the phrases “unusual situation” and “cool thought”; these…

This letter, from Cousin Annie to Mary, was written in the early years of the Great Depression. The second paragraph depicts how Louisa was the victim of both terrible drought and frosts; the agricultural-based facets of Louisa’s economy suffered…

This form reveals a little bit about the political and economic setting in the Mineral District of Louisa in 1934. J.A. Kent was the Treasurer of Louisa County; he was to receive these tax forms back from the citizens within the Mineral District. …

This receipt, from the Virginia Public Service Company, is dated January 1930; Mrs. L.W. Massie of Louisa, Virginia paid 2.00 for her electrical energy consumption. Calculating for inflation, this would be approximately $26.13 by today’s…

This 1940 Schedule of Farm Income and Expenses, known as Form 1040F by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), was utilized by farmers to calculate their income. The livestock, produce, and services listed – as well as their respective amounts –…

This price comparison sheet from 1931 provides some insight into the value of items of the period. Below is a list of what these items would cost today, calculating for inflation: 100# Sugar $ 71.77 1 Bbl. Flour $ 50.24 10# Meat $ 11.48 1#…

This letter, written in 1936, from the Virginia Compensation Board was copied to Louisa County’s Treasurer, Mr. Russell C. Crank. It outlined the expenses allotted to the office, including Crank’s $3,720 salary, at a total of $5,995. Crank’s…

These instructions, provided to teachers for the 1932-1933 school year, detail important information related to the effective functioning of the schools within the Louisa County Public Schools system. On the third page of this outline, a section…

This hastily-written five-page letter is the first in a series of letters from Alice to Lizzie in December 1937. This particular letter sheds some light on the topics of family and death during the Depression. While little is known about the…

In this follow-up letter, Alice attempts to alleviate some of the tension by explaining how the previous letter's contents were based upon a misunderstanding. It is claimed that Lelia, the "she" referenced in both this letter and the previous one,…

In this final letter from Alice to Lizzie, dated December 17, 1937, the financial issues surrounding the arrangements for Uncle August's expenses have been settled. Just as a reference point, today's equivalent for the $10.00 check given to Alice by…