War Council records

After war broke out in Europe in 1939, the State created the State Defense Council, similar to the one during the First World War. It coordinated domestic mobilization through advisory committees of leading citizens, local councils and public officials, and agencies of the U.S. government. By 1943, this body was known as the War Council. It went out of business on October 1, 1945. Records include minutes, directives and circulars, general files, surveys, publications, and files (correspondence, memoranda, reports, subject files, and lists) documenting the work of sections dealing with protection services, an air raid network, air raid wardens, blackouts, bomb reconnaissance, communications, fire and plant protection, training, fuel, food, manpower, radio, film and statewide evacuation. Click here to see the scanned paper finding aid and container list (pdf).