Brookdale Center for World War II Studies
Brookdale Community College’s Center for World War II Studies and Conflict Resolution will host historian and Professor Emeritus of History, Jack Needle. He will speak about “The Monuments Men.” The presentation will take place Tuesday, November 13 in the Warner Student Life Center on the Brookdale Lincroft main campus, 765 Newman Springs Road. It will begin at 7:30 p.m.
As Hitler was attempting to conquer the western world, his armies were methodically pillaging the finest art in Europe. The Monuments Men had expertise as museum directors, curators, art scholars and educators, artists, architects and archivists. Their job description was simple: to save as much of the culture of Europe as they could during World War II. The group of men and women from 13 nations not only had the vision to understand the grave threat to the greatest cultural and artistic achievements of civilization but joined the front lines to do something about it. The Monuments Men had a mandate from President Roosevelt and the support of General Eisenhower but no vehicles, gasoline, typewriters, or authority was authorized. It was a race against time to save the world’s greatest cultural treasures from destruction at the hands of Nazi fanatics.
Professor Needle will share the story of these unlikely heroes, many who were volunteers, whose courageous spirit and actions actually enabled the best of humanity to defeat the worst. The event is code XWWTS 267PR. To register, call 732-224-2315. The fee is $12 for adults, $5 for students.
