Alabama’s WWII Heritage City asking community to help with new exhibit

Last year, the City of Foley was officially named a World War II Heritage City by the National Parks Service. Just one town in each state received that designation and Foley’s connection to the country’s role in the war after Pearl Harbor stood out.

Now, the city is trying to further expand on that designation by learning more about its own history through the community’s stories. Foley is asking residents for any memories or memorabilia from World War II to help create a museum exhibit and other displays commemorating the era.

Keep reading to find out more about the exhibit plans, how you can help and the city’s connection to WWII.

New exhibit at Foley Railroad Museum

“To commemorate the designation and the contributions made to the war effort in South Baldwin County, the city is preparing an exhibit at the Foley Railroad Museum. The exhibit will highlight Barin Field, wartime events in Foley and the contributions made by residents during the conflict.”

~ City of Foley

Foley is hoping to get additions to its exhibit from the public. Anybody who served at Barin Field or whose family members were stationed at the site are encouraged to share memories to contribute to the exhibit.

The city is asking for anything to help fill the exhibit including:

• Uniforms, hats, insignia
• Letters + photographs
• Medals
• Any other souvenirs from the era

Original photographs and letters can be scanned and returned to the owners. Other items that might be used in the exhibit could be loaned to the city for the display.

Anyone who can provide material for the exhibit is encouraged to contact Guy Busby at gbusby@cityoffoley.org, or 251-504-3759.

Foley’s WWII history

Nearly one year after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States opened the Barin Field training center in Foley. The center became a major facility for the Navy and served as an auxiliary training center for Pensacola Air Station in Florida.

The training center caused the population of Foley to grow drastically. The population was just 846 in the 1940 census but that number grew by more than 50 percent by the next census and more than tripled by 1960.

The population of Foley exploded during the war years. The number of aviation cadets who came through the Barin Field training facility was many times larger than the town’s population. This had a major impact on housing and other parts of the economy in a town that had 846 people in the 1940 census. In its first 24 months of operations, 5,795 students were trained at the center. 

~ National Parks Service

There is already a memorial in Foley dedicated to those who served in World War II. In 1943, the Women’s Club of Foley recognized the sacrifices made by Barin Field aviators and Foley residents with the planting of a live oak tree. A flagpole and stone marker were dedicated near the oak in 1946.

Want to read more? Check out why one publication called Foley the best place to retire on a limited budget.

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