75th Anniversary Commemorative Event Series
This series of events commemorates the arrival of 84 British children who were brought to North Canton in 1940 by The Hoover Company. The children, whose parents were employees of Hoover Limited in London, ranged in age from 2–15 and were brought to Stark County and fostered by local families in order to keep them out of harm's way in war-torn Europe. The children returned home after WWII ended in 1945.
Presented By
Calendar of Events
All events are free and open to the public.
Through October 2015 The Hoover Historical Center, 1875 E. Maple St., North Canton, provides free, guided tours of the boyhood home of The Hoover Company founder, Boss Hoover. The 2015 tour will focus on the British children who were brought to North Canton in 1940 with photographs, videos, and original Hoover Company scrapbooks. Tours are on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays on the hour at 1, 2, 3, and 4 p.m.
Saturday, September 5
"Celebrate Molly: The American Girl Doll of World War II" - A party for 2nd-6th graders; 11 a.m. at the North Canton Public Library; Space is limited. Registration required. Visit the North Canton Public Library website for more information or to register.
Tuesday, September 8
"Readable History Book Club" - Discussion on Sweet Memories by local author and British war child Dorothy Warren Mathewson; 6:30 p.m. at the North Canton Public Library, 185 N. Main St., North Canton; No limit, no registration necessary, new members welcome.
Thursday, September 10–Sunday, October 11
"The British War Children in North Canton: 1940-1945" - Exhibit at the North Canton Public Library, 185 N. Main St., North Canton
Thursday, September 10–Sunday, October 11
"The War Hits Home: North Canton During WWII" - Exhibit at North Canton Heritage Society (Open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to Noon)
Wednesday, September 16
Panel discussion "North Canton and the Home Front" - Hosted by the North Canton Heritage Society (NCHS), this panel will consist of local residents who will share their experiences living in North Canton or working at The Hoover Company during the war years; 6 p.m. at the North Canton Public Library,185 N. Main St., North Canton. NCHS will be open after the panel discussion until 8:30 p.m. No registration required.
Saturday, September 19
"Pinocchio" (G) - Winner of two Academy Awards in 1940, showing at the Canton Palace Theatre, 605 Market Ave. North, Canton, at 3 p.m. Downloadable invitation required. Invitation can be downloaded from the Canton Palace Theatre website.
Saturday, September 19
"Citizen Kane" (PG) - Winner of the 1942 Academy Award for Best Writing, Original Screenplay, showing at the Canton Palace Theatre, 605 Market Ave. North, Canton, at 7:30 p.m. No reservations required.
Tuesday, September 22
"Historical Perspectives on the Blitz"
Keynote address by Dr. Peter Stansky
Frances and Charles Field Professor of History, Emeritus, Stanford University
6 p.m., Walsh University Barrette Business & Community Center
2020 E. Maple St., North Canton
Dr. Stansky will present a keynote lecture on the Blitz with response by Dr. Douglas Palmer, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Walsh University. For reservations, which are required for this free event, please send an email to warchildren@walsh.edu by September 15th with the names of a maximum of 4 adults per reservation.
Saturday, September 26
"Casablanca" (PG) - 1943 Academy Award Winner for Best Picture, showing at the Canton Palace Theatre, 605 Market Ave. North, Canton, at 7:30 p.m. No reservations required.
Saturday, October 3
"Celebrate Molly: The American Girl Doll of World War II" - A party for 2nd-6th graders; 11 a.m. at the North Canton Public Library, 185 N. Main St., North Canton; Space is limited. Registration required. Visit the North Canton Public Library website for details or to register.
Monday, October 5
"First Monday Book Club" - Discussion on Sweet Memories by local author and British war child Dorothy Warren Mathewson; 2 p.m. at the North Canton Public Library, 185 N. Main St., North Canton; No limit, no registration necessary, new members welcome.
Wednesday, October 7
Panel Discussion
"The British War Children and Their North Canton Neighbors: A Conversation of Memories"
5:30 p.m., Reception; 6 p.m., Panel Discussion
Hoover High School's Hoover Hall, 525 7th Street NE, North Canton
Witness history as several surviving British war children return to North Canton to describe their experiences living in war-torn England during the early years of WWII, their five-year stay in North Canton coordinated by The Hoover Company, and their lives following their return home at the end of the war. Panel discussion moderated by Hoover Historical Center Curator, Megan Pellegrino. No registration required.
Wednesday, October 14
"Crafter's Corner WWII-Era Craft Night" at 6 p.m. at the North Canton Public Library, 185 N. Main St., North Canton; Limited to 25 participants, Registration required. Visit the North Canton Public Library website for more information or to register.
For a collection of oral histories relating to the British war children, please visit Walsh's Brother Edmond Drouin Library website. For questions about the series of events, please contact Hoover Historical Center curator Megan Pellegrino at warchildren@walsh.edu.