A House on the Home Front

In a downstairs apartment at 16 Elm Street, one family shared the nation's struggle during World War II.

 

By the end of 1942, Mary Scott and her family were part of the war effort. Mary, a school custodian, shopped with ration coupons, planted a victory garden, and preserved vegetables in this kitchen. Her daughter, Annie Scott Lynch, and son-in-law, Richard Lynch [no relation to previous resident Catherine Lynch], moved in here with their son, Richard , and worked at local war materials plants. Mary's sons, Roy and Arthur, were on active duty.

 

The Scott family had moved from Kansas to Massachusetts in the 1920s, and endured the Great Depression in this house. In 1942, Mary's husband died and her sons went off to war.