WW2 (Officer) Prisoner of war Barracks at the 4-H Camp NC

[Woodland Detectors]

The 200 acre 4-H education Center was taken over by the US government to house WW2 (officer) Prisoner of war in the mid 1940's.
The Americans actually got along real good with the German POW's and were granted a sense of leniency and were permitted to build things, socialize, and yes...even drink alcohol with the other American men. (so I'm told) As a matter of fact the crafty and intelligent Germans built a beautiful, now extinct wormy chestnut Bar which is still used today for functions and weddings. The men also built two wings from our lodge whichone side is still being used for a office and the other side for a weekly Talent show for kids. The camps beautiful stone fireplace, Also built by the men, is still used for cooking and baking bread in the summer. The photos in this thread are of the historical structures the POW German Officers built.
1. Prisoner Barracks
2. Prisoner Barracks
3. Prisoner Barracks
4. Stone fireplace built by the POW Officers . Still used at camp to this day!!!!
5. Children dancing on the original floor that the German Officers built...Kids and adults continue to stomp on it.
6. Picture of camp from the late 1920's


We strive to protect and preserve this property to invite kids and staff from all over the world.
We take Great pride in what we do to help change lives.

 

[seger98]

Pretty neat old photos, that stone fire place is pretty neat.

 

[ivan salis]

germans as a group are know for skilled building --good craftsmenship

 

[Tnmountains]

Wow love the Black and whites 4-H cool history.My Dad was pensylvania Dutch and spoke German but he fough them viciously in war world II.
Neat history you are preserving there with the children.
TnMtns

 

[ivan salis]

the dutch while speaking german -- got very harsh treatment treatment from the nazi's -- some dutch sold out ( were treated as "traitors" and dealt very harshly with after the war by loyal dutch) --those that didn't sell out were 100% die hard anti nazi -- many of the dutch resistance died in WW2 fighting the nazis -- the PA dutch did not care care for the nazi's at all.

 

[Mental Granny]

Love those pics and the stories about German POWS getting to do a lot of stuff, they were allowed to do it around here (I was told) they built and socialized and got along with the people in the town. There isn't anything kept up in that nearby town from then but its still there been swimming in the hole, that was there for that back then!