Speaker Series: "Life in Chatham During World War II"

Chatham Marconi Welcomes Dick Kraycir to its Speaker Series

While researching the history of Chatham Radio/WCC for his book Marconi-RCA Wireless Museum: Ocean Waves & Radio Waves, our speaker (who was “way too young to remember”) gathered fascinating information about Chatham and Cape Cod during the World War II years. The museum’s newest exhibit focuses on the U.S. Navy’s secret operation of “Station C” and its strategic importance to the Allies, against the background of life in Chatham at the time. World War II was felt in all quarters of this country, and was the last war in which the general population was greatly impacted by conflict in Europe and the Pacific. From food stamps to the limited availability of gasoline and sugar (“use one teaspoon and stir like hell”) there was not a day that went by without some reminder. As a seaside community, and having three branches of the Armed Forces present, Chatham (and all of Cape Cod) was particularly aware with nightly blackouts, collection of scrap material, and fishermen having special radios to report any U-boat sightings during their voyages. Our speaker will share his insights to complement the exhibit.

About Our Speaker

J. Richard (Dick) Kraycir held various professional and managerial positions in technology development and production throughout his career. Dick was an early member of the Chatham Marconi Maritime Center and served on the board for 15 years, including in the roles of: Clerk, Executive Director and President. Today, as Director Emeritus, his focus is on the Chatham Marconi TechSmart communications technology initiative that introduces Fourth Grade students on Cape Cod to the technical aspects of Sound and Radio. He is also currently on the Boards of Trustees for the Chatham Orpheum Theater and the Chatham Railroad Museum.

Dick and his wife Melissa have had a home in Chatham since 1985 and moved there full time in 2002. They have one daughter who is an Architectural Interior Designer in Branford, Connecticut.

About Chatham Marconi Maritime Center

Founded in 2002, the Chatham Marconi Maritime Center is a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to preserve and celebrate the history of Chatham Radio/WCC and 20th Century maritime communication through interpretive museum exhibits, educational programs and community engagement. The Center comprises the historic Marconi-RCA Wireless Museum, an Education Center offering in-house education in communications science and technology for grades K - 9, and the Chatham Marconi TechSmart education outreach initiative designed to bring its proven wireless technology curricula directly to 4th grade children in Cape Cod classrooms. More at: www.ChathamMarconi.org.

About the Chatham Marconi Speaker Series

Programs are usually presented on the first Thursday of each month from September through June, and on alternate Thursday evenings during the Summer. Subjects are drawn from the resources of the Marconi-RCA Wireless Museum, the Education Center's STEM programs, or member-suggested topics related to our mission.

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Author and Historian Dick Kraycir will speak on "Life in Chatham During World War Two" on Thursday, June 5, 2025.

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Date and Time

Thursday Jun 5, 2025
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM EDT

Location

831 Orleans Road North Chatham MA 02650

Fees/Admission

General Admission is $10 either per person attending or for Zoom webinar access for one linked computer. In-person seating is limited. Reservations may be made at ChathamMarconi.org/speakerseries .
This event is free for Chatham Marconi members. Why not join now at www.ChathamMarconi.org to enjoy future Speaker Series programs at no charge?!

Website

https://chathammarconi.org/speakerseries

Contact Information

See website for more detail.
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