H73.63.48

Window shade. Description: "Blackout Curtain." From the History Information Station: Object: Woven cotton draperies and blackout shade. History: Draperies like these gave a casual air to this little living room, but the blackout shade reminded people that World War II was going on. Local air raid wardens called blackouts from time to time, at night. During blackouts people had to turn out all their lights, or else pull down heavy black shades over the windows, so that their houses could not be seen by enemy aircraft flying overhead. The Bay Area was never bombed during World War II, but many people thought it might be. The Bay was ringed by army and navy bases, and the docks were full of warships, which were all potential targets for enemy bombs. Gifts of L. T. Frye, Elizabeth Gerstley and Mrs. Lawrence Stein