Concentration camps

The War Relocation Authority (WRA) oversaw construction of ten concentration camps in sparsely populated and isolated areas. Between June and October 1942, Japanese Americans were transferred from the "assembly centers" to the larger camps. Housing approximately 120,000 people, the camps were designed to be self-contained communities, complete with hospitals, post offices, schools, warehouses, and residential areas. The WRA attempted to establish normalcy by setting up newspapers, a degree of self-government, sports leagues, and social events. But confinement, monotony, and harsh conditions exacerbated tensions between pro- and anti-camp administration residents and between the disempowered Issei and their U.S.-born Nisei children. At several centers, conflicts erupted into violence and at the Manzanar concentration camp the unrest resulted in fatal shootings. The WRA gradually granted work and school leave to those they considered "loyal." The last camp closed in March 1946.

World War II (231)
Concentration camps (1435)

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1435 items

doc The first Rohwer Reunion (ddr-csujad-1-50)

A booklet was published to commemorate the first Rohwer Reunion held at Stouffer Concourse Hotel, Los Angeles, California, July 20-21, 1990. It provides a historical background and information about the Rohwer incarceration camp, Arkansas, including the description of the life, activities, and events in the camp. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-1-50/

img Nisei soldier with friends (ddr-densho-2-63)

Soldier Ben Matsumoto is surrounded by inmates at the Minidoka concentration camp. The following people can be identified: Kaz Tsujimoto (wearing the white V-neck sweater) and his brother, Stan, is to his left holding the cigarette. Hiro Nishimoto is in front and Ben Tsujimoto is on the far right.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-2-63/

img Girls group (ddr-densho-2-40)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-2-40/

img Saying goodbye (ddr-hmwf-1-50)

"Kiyo Sato departure (24-18-C) Dec. 1, 1943 at gate" as described on back, l18 f11 1/50 G3snap, Plus x DK20-40' D76-18'

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-hmwf-1-50/

img Gathering at Fence (ddr-hmwf-1-60)

"Men and women gathered around barbed wire fence"

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-hmwf-1-60/

doc Letter (with envelope) to Mollie Wilson from Lillian (Nobie) Igasaki (July 9, 1943) (ddr-janm-1-49)

Handwritten letter to Mollie Wilson from Lillian (Nobie) Igasaki (July 9, 1943). Envelope is postmarked July 10, 1943 from the Manzanar Incarceration Camp in Manzanar, California.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-janm-1-49/

doc Letter (with envelope) to Mollie Wilson from Mary Murakami (December 25, 1942) (ddr-janm-1-32)

Handwritten letter to Mollie Wilson from Mary Murakami (December 25, 1942). Envelope is postmarked December 20, 1942 from the Poston (Colorado River) Incarceration Camp in Parker, Arizona.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-janm-1-32/

doc Letter (with envelope) to Molly Wilson from Miyeko Imamura (August 30, 1942) (ddr-janm-1-63)

Handwritten letter to Molly Wilson from Miyeko Imamura (August 30, 1942). Envelope is postmarked August 31, 1942 from the Heart Mountain Incarceration Camp in Cody, Wyoming.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-janm-1-63/

doc Christmas card (with envelope) to Mollie Wilson from Miyeko Imamura (c. 1944) (ddr-janm-1-68)

Christmas card to Mollie Wilson from Miyeko Imamura (c. 1944). Black card, red border with illustration in red/green/blue of a woman in a Christmas dress holding a yellow handkerchief in one hand and a basket of holly in the other. "Yoo Hoo!" is on the front of card. Envelope is postmarked but does not give a …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-janm-1-68/

doc Christmas card (with envelope) to Mollie Wilson from Sako (December 23, 1944) (ddr-janm-1-54)

Christmas card to Mollie Wilson from Sako (December 23, 1944). Blue/brown card with illustration in brown/red/green of the Three Wise Men on camels following the North Star. Envelope is postmarked December 23, 1944 from the Poston (Colorado River) Incarceration Camp in Parker, Arizona.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-janm-1-54/

doc Letter (with envelope) to Molly Wilson from June Yoshigai (July 7, 1943) (ddr-janm-1-83)

Handwritten letter to Molly Wilson from June Yoshigai (July 7, 1943). Envelope is postmarked July 7, 1943 from the Gila River Incarceration Camp in Rivers, Arizona.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-janm-1-83/

img Portrait of Chiyeko Akahoshi (ddr-janm-1-140)

Black and white portrait of Chiyeko Akahoshi. She has curly hair and a bow in it and is wearing a white shirt with a floral vest over it. Written on the back is: "To Molly. Always, Chiyeko Akahoshi".

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-janm-1-140/

doc Letter (with envelope) to Molly Wilson from Violet Saito (June 6, 1943) (ddr-janm-1-74)

Handwritten letter to Mollie Wilson from Violet Saito (June 6, 1943). Envelope is postmarked June 7, 1943 from the Granada (Amache) Incarceration Camp in Amache, Colorado.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-janm-1-74/

doc Letter (with envelope) to Mollie Wilson from Lillian (Nobie) Igasaki (April 14, 1943) (ddr-janm-1-47)

Handwritten letter to Molly Wilson from Lillian (Nobie) Igasaki (April 14, 1943). Envelope is postmarked April 20, 1943 from the Manzanar Incarceration Camp in Manzanar, California.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-janm-1-47/

doc Letter (with envelope) to Mollie Wilson from Sandie Saito (October 17, 1942) (ddr-janm-1-12)

Handwritten letter to Molly Wilson from Sandie Saito (October 17, 1942). Envelope (addressed "Miss 'Flea' Wilson") is postmarked October 17, 1942 from the Granada (Amache) Incarceration Camp in Amache, Colorado.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-janm-1-12/

doc Letter (with envelope) to Molly Wilson from Chiyeko Akahoshi (July 14, 1944) (ddr-janm-1-113)

Handwritten letter to Molly Wilson from Chiyeko Akahoshi (July 14, 1944). Envelope is postmarked July 19, 1944 from the Manzanar Incarceration Camp in Manzanar, California.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-janm-1-113/

doc Letter (with envelope) to Molly Wilson from Chiyeko Akahoshi (May 14, 1944) (ddr-janm-1-111)

Handwritten letter to Molly Wilson from Chiyeko Akahoshi (May 14, 1944). Envelope is postmarked May 15, 1944 from the Manzanar Incarceration Camp in Manzanar, California.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-janm-1-111/

doc Letter (with envelope) to Molly Wilson from Chiyeko Akahoshi (December 25, 1944) (ddr-janm-1-115)

Handwritten letter to Mollie Wilson from Chiyeko Akahoshi (December 25, 1944). Envelope is postmarked December 26, 1944 from the Manzanar Incarceration Camp in Manzanar, California.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-janm-1-115/

doc Letter (with envelope) to Molly Wilson from June Yoshigai (March 21, 1943) (ddr-janm-1-82)

Handwritten letter to Molly Wilson from June Yoshigai (March 21, 1943). Envelope is postmarked March 22, 1943 from the Gila River Incarceration Camp in Rivers, Arizona.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-janm-1-82/

doc Letter (with envelope) to Molly Wilson from Chiyeko Akahoshi (January 19, 1945) (ddr-janm-1-116)

Handwritten letter to Mollie Wilson from Chiyeko Akahoshi (January 19, 1945). Envelope is postmarked January 20, 1945 from the Manzanar Incarceration Camp in Manzanar, California.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-janm-1-116/

doc Letter (with envelope) to Molly Wilson from Violet Saito (March 26, 1943) (ddr-janm-1-73)

Handwritten letter to Mollie Wilson from Violet Saito (March 26, 1943). Envelope is postmarked March 31, 1943 from the Granada (Amache) Incarceration Camp in Amache, Colorado.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-janm-1-73/

doc Letter (with envelope) to Molly Wilson from Violet Saito (October 10, 1942) (ddr-janm-1-71)

Handwritten letter to Mollie Wilson from Violet Saito (October 10, 1942). Envelope is postmarked October 12, 1942 from the Granada (Amache) Incarceration Camp in Amache, Colorado.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-janm-1-71/

doc Letter (with envelope) to Molly Wilson from Yuri Shimokochi (c. 1943) (ddr-janm-1-58)

Handwritten letter to Molly Wilson from Yuri Shimokochi (c. 1943) from the Heart Mountain Incarceration Camp in Cody, Wyoming.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-janm-1-58/

doc Letter (with envelope) to Molly Wilson from Violet Saito (March 15, 1943) (ddr-janm-1-69)

Handwritten letter to Mollie Wilson from Violet Saito (March 15, 1943). Envelope is postmarked March 22, 1943 from the Granada (Amache) Incarceration Camp in Amache, Colorado.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-janm-1-69/

doc Letter (with envelope) to Molly Wilson from Sadae (Lillian) Nishioka (June 8, 1942) (ddr-janm-1-94)

Handwritten letter to Molly Wilson from Sadae (Lillian) Nishioka (June 8, 1942). Envelope is postmarked June 11, 1942 and addressed from Lillian Nishioka from the Poston (Colorado River) Incarceration Camp in Parker, Arizona.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-janm-1-94/