Helen VanGuilder WWII WAAC
Shared by Sandy Chamberlain

The Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) was a group of women who served in the United States Army during World War II. The WAAC was created to free up men for combat by taking on administrative duties.

Formation

The WAAC was established in 1942 in response to the attack on Pearl Harbor

The WAAC was created as an auxiliary unit, but was later converted to an active duty branch of the Army in 1943

The WAAC's first training center was located at Fort Des Moines, Iowa

Roles

WAACs performed a variety of roles, including aircraft spotting, mail sorting, and printing V-mail cards

WAACs were deployed all over the world

Challenges

The WAAC faced opposition from some quarters, including the defense industry and those who thought women shouldn't serve in uniform

Black WACs faced additional challenges, including being given menial jobs and court-martialed

Legacy

The WAAC's contributions were recognized with the passage of legislation that established a lasting presence of women in the Armed Services

The Women's Army Corps (WAC) was the women's branch of the United States Army before 1978. It was created as an auxiliary unit, the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC), on 15 May 1942, and converted to an active duty status in the Army of the United States as the WAC on 1 July 1943. Its first director was Colonel Oveta Culp Hobby. The WAC was disbanded on 20 October 1978, and all WAC units were integrated with male units.

Tioga Point Museum has been gifted some letters written by Sgt. Helen Van Guilder while she served in the WAAC during WWII. Helen was from Sayre, Pennsylvania. She shared interesting thoughts and feelings as she served her country. From her excitement of entering training to her excitement about being able to come home to the U.S. again is palpable to the reader of her letters.

On March 23rd in 1943 she was “on her way”, leaving from Penn Station, NY. On March 24th her father received word that she had arrived safely at Fort Oglethorp, Georgia and would be undergoing processing for the next 2 days. After that she would be assigned to basic training and able to send her address for those 4 weeks.

In May of 1943, she wrote of having a large piece of chocolate cake but assured her mother that it was only “almost as good” as hers. She talked about celebrating her birthday and lamenting that her grades weren’t as good as she’d hoped. She said the WAAC’s couldn’t complain about food, that they ate well. She mentioned how much they enjoyed potatoes as they often had “substitutes” like rice or macaroni. She said they sure couldn’t complain because they were all putting on weight!

One letter of interest from June, 1944 shared that her boss was “in a peck of trouble.” She couldn’t elaborate but expressed her utmost sympathy for him! She also added a p.s. to this letter requesting some things from home, including Arrid, a garter belt, starch , soap and gum. She commented more than once about soap being hard to get.

By August of 1945 Helen was anxious to get home and mentioned the “red tape” of the military. A letter from September 29th, 1945 from England mentions not being sure when she would actually get to the U. S. but “will see you again. Loads of love to all. Helen”

More can be learned about Helen’s time in the WAAC by visiting Tioga Point Museum website. To view the letters on website scroll down to Virtual Collection then choose Archives and enter Helen Van Guilder.

The Tioga Point Museum is open Tuesday and Thursday all year but hours are seasonal so please check our web page or Facebook page for current hours or call at 570 888 7225.

From our archives...Athens Car and Carriage Company

By Sandy Chamberlain

If you’re like me, you’ve never heard of the Athens Car and Coach Company. It was a thriving business in the late 1800’s. It was established in 1882 and incorporated in 1889. Frank Daly was the proprietor.

From an article that appeared in The Daily News, on Tuesday, July 23, 1889:

“In a visit to the Athens Car and Coach factory, we were shown several very handsome coaches. These coaches are made in the most substantial manner and finished as neatly and artistically as the work could be done in any establishment in this country. Mr. Dyer, the energetic manager, is proud of the high reputation his work enjoys everywhere and gives his personal attention to every department, to the end that no flaws shall be permitted nor any part slighted in the least degree.”

The Car and Coach Company was located between Susquehanna St. and Herrick St. in Athens, PA.

The company advertised Coaches, Cars, Omnibuses and Hotel buses of all kinds.

From the annual catalogue are the Terms:

All prices are F.O.B. ( free on board ) in Athens, unless otherwise stipulated in writing at the time of purchase.

Positively no goods on consignment.

All bills payable at our office in current funds or New York exchange, thirty days from date of invoice. When money is sent by express, the charges must be prepaid. Remittances should be made to Athens Car and Coach Co.

Write for net prices.

Charles Kellogg, President S.R. Payne, Secretary and Treasurer

James L. Dyer, Manager and VP

Again from the annual catalogue:

We desire to thank our numerous customers and inform them we have improved our styles (illustrated in the booklet). Our capacity and facilities for manufacturing have greatly increased, enabling us to fill orders with greater promptness and dispatch than was heretofore possible. Employing none but experienced workmen, and using only the best materials, we feel confident of our ability to please all customers.

In addition to this information in our archives, we have also acquired a mirror. Printed on it is Athens Coach Works, Frank Daly, Prop. Athens, PA It was a generous donation by Mac Hulslander of Raleigh, NC, formerly from Dimock, PA, who found the mirror when he bought his cottage in Dimock in 1969. Mr. Hulslander’s father was a minister and served United Methodist Congregations throughout the Wyoming Conference of the United Methodist Church, including Athens Methodist Church for several years.

Mr. Mac Hulslander shared that his family has a long history of local connection, including his great grandfather who was a Waverly alderman and largely responsible for the creation of the Waverly Glen Park. His aunt, Jessie Kinsman was employed by the Robert Packer for many years and his grandmother Elsie Letts was the proprietress of the Remnant Shop on Waverly’s Fulton St for many years. The Letts family home was in Waverly.

More can be learned and seen by visiting our archives at the museum.

The Tioga Point Museum is open 12-5p on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the year. You are invited to come and explore!