We’re excited to share the following announcement from Congressman Mark DeSaulnier, who, along with Senators Kamala Harris and Dianne Feinstein, is introducing legislation to add Nystrom Elementary School in Richmond to the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park. Interactive Resources, Inc. designed the complete modernization and historical rehabilitation of Nystrom’s 48,000 sf, two-story classroom and administration building, and the new construction of a 14,000 sf state-of-the-art multipurpose building, which also can serve as a community center for the surrounding neighborhood.
The historic Nystrom Elementary School was originally constructed in 1943 by the Kaiser Company for the US Maritime Commission to serve as the primary elementary school for the children of workers in the nearby shipyards. It would be momentous, fitting and an important act of preservation to have Nystrom officially added to this remarkable cultural and historical resource.
Congressman DeSaulnier Introduces Legislation to Expand Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park
July 14, 2020 – Press Release
Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11) announced the introduction of the Rosie the Riveter National Historic Site Expansion Act (H.R. 7585) to add the Nystrom Elementary School in Richmond, California to the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park. Senators Kamala Harris (D-CA) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) are introducing companion legislation in the U.S. Senate.
“Richmond and West Contra Costa played a pivotal role in our nation’s efforts in World War II. We owe it to the families who helped write that history to share their stories. By expanding this culturally significant site, visitors will have the opportunity to learn about the Nystrom School, which was built to teach the children of shipyard workers,” said Congressman DeSaulnier.
“I’m proud to join Rep. DeSaulnier on this legislation to expand the Rosie the Riveter National Historic Park to include the Nystrom School– this will allow visitors to learn more about the history of the Richmond shipyards and the families who lived and worked there to support the war effort in World War II,” said Senator Harris.
“It’s important that we remember the sacrifices made by all Americans during World War II. Nystrom Elementary School was built to accommodate the influx of families moving to Richmond to work at the shipyards. Preserving it as part of the historic park will help tell the story of the war effort,” said Senator Feinstein.
Built during World War II to accommodate the large number of families that moved to Richmond to work at the Kaiser Shipyards, Nystrom Elementary School sits just north of the current historical park. Nystrom was built as part of a planned development that includes the Maritime Child Development Center, which has already been preserved as part of the park, as well as the Nystrom Housing Area, which has been scheduled for future preservation and redevelopment by the city of Richmond. Congressional approval of this addition is required by the law that created the Historical Park. The bill would also provide the National Park Service with the authority to add other historically relevant sites to the park’s boundaries