MANITOWOC - Manitowoc recently earned designation as the state's only American World War II Heritage City.
Manitowoc received the designation because of its substantial involvement in World War II.
Most notably was its production of 28 Gato Class Submarines by the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company.
Per the John D. Dingell Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act of 2019, there can only be one city, township or municipality per state that can receivethe designation. That means no other location in Wisconsin can receivethe designation, since Manitowoc has claimed the onlydesignation available for the state.
In a news release, Manitowoc Mayor Justin Nickels shared: “Most of us that grew up here in Manitowoc know that we played an important role contributing to the war effort by building submarines. By designating Manitowoc as the one American WWII Heritage City in the state of Wisconsin, the National Park Service has recognized the national significance of our city and our history.”
Many other local companies were involved in wartime production, including Aluminum Goods Manufacturing, Burger Boat, Lakeside Packaging, Heresite Protective Coatings and others. These companies produced thousands of products for the war, ranging from oil tanks for B-29 bombers to meal cans and protective coatings for torpedoes. Many of the companies still exist today.
Manitowoc citizens also raised a significant amount of funds through the selling of war bonds. For example, in February 1944, a touring stage show called “It’s the McCoy” played at the Capitol Theatre in Manitowoc. The one-night show in Manitowoc earned more than $1 million in war bond sales, second only to Milwaukee. Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company received the coveted Minuteman “Bullseye” banner for having 100% of workers participate.
Manitowoc continues to keep its World War II history alive through community events such as Subfest, an annual celebration of the submarine-building heritage of the area, the brave men and women who served aboard the vessels, and the resilient men and women on the home front who built them.
Catherine Green, executive director of the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, which is at 75 Maritime Drive in downtown Manitowoc, said: “The wonderful thing about Manitowoc is that you can still explore that WWII heritage today. Touring the WWII submarine USS Cobia transports you back to 1945 when these vessels were patrolling the Pacific.”
The World War II Heritage Cities program was established by the John D. Dingell Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act of 2019 to recognize the historic importance of the United States domestic involvement in World War II and ensure the continued preservation of a defining period in American history.
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Start your week here in weekly dose, a roundup of local community news. Here are more things happening in the Manitowoc County community:
▶ ‘Snow Golf’ fundraiser to benefit Civil War gravestone restoration effort: The organizer of a Civil War gravestone restoration effort that has been taking place at Manitowoc’s Evergreen Cemetery is planning a “Snow Golf” fundraiser for Feb. 11 at Meadow Links Golf Course, 1540 Johnston Drive, Manitowoc.
Tee times will run 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and will be held “snow or shine.”
Entry fee is a $25 donation per person, or free for ages younger than 12.
Proceeds will be used to continue the Civil War gravestone restoration effort and to benefit the Manitowoc County Veterans organization.
Entry fee includes nine holes of snow golf, a burger and a bag of chips. Prizes will be awarded and sponsorships are available.
People can learn more by contacting Daniel Reinke at SaveTheVeteransDan@outlook.com or call or text him at 920-973-7870. Meadow Links also has information about the event and can be reached at 920-682-6842.
In its first two years, the gravestone restoration effort has restored more than 150 gravestones of Civil War soldiers, wives and other family members. The group’s goal for 2023 is to restore remaining Civil War gravestones at Evergreen Cemetery, which Reinke said is around 100.
▶ Rahr-West Art Museum seeks volunteer guides: Manitowoc’s Rahr-West Art Museum is looking for volunteer tour guides.
Tour guides will guide groups of visitors through the museum on guided tours and engage them in conversations and activities relating to exhibits.
Enthusiasm for art and history are required, a news release said.
Tours generally occur during the museum’s open hours, which are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. weekends.
Primary audiences are grade-school children and retired adults, but vary by group, according to the news release.
To apply, people can visit https://tinyurl.com/b6ba96be or rahrwestartmuseum.org; visit the museum front desk; email dbolander@manitowoc.org; or mail to Diana Bolander, Rahr-West Art Museum, 610 N. Eighth St., Manitowoc, WI 54220. An initial training is planned for the afternoon of Jan. 23.
▶ Miss Harbor Cities & Outstanding Teen opens applications: Applications are open for the Miss Harbor Cities & Outstanding Teen 2023 competition, which will be Feb. 19 at the Capitol Civic Centre, 913 S. Eighth St., Manitowoc.
All aspects of the competition will be that day, with one mandatory meeting the week of Feb. 12 via video conference.
To qualify, a candidate must be between the ages of 13-26, no older than 26 on Dec. 31, 2023; be a United States citizen; meet residency requirements by either living, working full time or attending school full time in the state of Wisconsin; meet fundraising requirements of Miss America; and meet character criteria as set forth by the Miss America Organization.
The registration fee of $35 is to the Miss America Organization and is not received by the Miss Harbor Cities Organization.
To register or for more details, go to missharborcities.org.
▶ Snowmobilers should check trail conditions before heading out: The Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs said that as of Dec. 9 the majority of the 25,000-mile statewide network of public snowmobile trails had not yet opened. It advised people to go to awsc.org or travelwisconsin.com/snowreport/snowmobile for the latest trail information.
The association said that before a trail can be opened, the ground under the snow needs to be frozen to ensure trails crossing wet areas are safe. It added that in agricultural areas, adequate snow is necessary to protect the ground and crops the trail travels over.
After trails are opened, the association advised snowmobilers to ride cautiously as early-season trail conditions magnify possible hazards under the snow.
Additionally, the association said snowmobilers should never ride on trails crossing lakes or rivers that are not marked by the local snowmobile club.
The AWSC is composed of more than 610 snowmobile clubs from every county in Wisconsin. Community-based snowmobile clubs and their 41,000-plus volunteer members are solely responsible for developing and maintaining more than 25,000 miles of public snowmobile trails. Wisconsin’s snowmobile program is administered by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, but it’s unique in that it is a user-funded program.
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