INDIANAPOLIS — There’s a photograph, one of the 1.6 million in the Indiana Historical Society’s collection, that’s been brought to life.

It was taken on Jan. 20, 1945. Ernest Zwerner stands behind the counter of his Citizens Market store in Terre Haute, assisting a customer with her purchases.

At first glance it may seem quotidian. Not to John Herbst, president and CEO of the Indiana Historical Society.

“This was a pivotal time in the 20th century,” he said.

It’s why the organization chose this photograph as the subject of its first living history exhibit, called “You Are There: 1945 Hoosier Home Front.” Running through the end of the year at the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center (450 W. Ohio St.), the display recreates Citizens Market down to its proprietors and merchandise. More than 2,000 food labels were replicated for authenticity. The nonperishable items will be donated to Gleaners Food Bank once the exhibit ends.

In 1945, World War II was still raging. Though it was half a world away, residents here were feeling its effects. Not just with family members fighting in the war, but with the rationing required to keep the country’s war machine sustainable.

You Are There includes the ration book system in place at that time. It limited the number of certain goods a family could buy. Zwerner, portrayed this day by Grant Carlton, tells customers chocolate and cigarettes are difficult to get.

“You want those, you better enlist,” he said. “Those are going to the troops.”

Sugar also is scarce, but citizens are used to it at this point.

“They understand there’s a greater purpose,” Zwerner said.

Jan Snowden, a volunteer at the history center, remembers those days from her childhood.

“I’ve seen wars all my life,” the native Hoosier said. “That’s the downfall of my age. It’s disheartening in a lot of ways, but we all have to go through something. I always say it’s been an adventure.”

You Are There has had a similar effect on many others.

“Everyday someone comes in and just cries,” said Dan Shockley, coordinator of interpretation for the Indiana Historical Society. “It brings on a flood of memories.”

One visitor who grew up in Indiana during World War II had to sit down upon entering the recreated Citizens Market, it was so realistic.

“The interpreters have many stories to tell, but they get as many back from the visitors,” Shockley said.

That’s the point of an exhibit like this.

“Living history gives you a chance to have a connection with something that, if it were just behind glass or on the wall, wouldn’t give you,” Shockley said.

So far it’s resonating with more than just those who actually lived it.

“It’s a good learning tool for children and for older people, it’s nostalgic,” Snowden said.

That was obviously the point of You Are There. Faith Revell, the society’s director of exhibitions, says careful consideration was put into choosing this photograph: whether it conveyed a compelling story, they would have the funding to recreate it, could find interpreters for it.

“We wanted a scene where you could learn something new or re-engage something from your past,” Revell said. “It had to be something you could immerse yourself in, but also be a lasting, visceral experience.”

The Indiana Historical Society’s collection is always growing, and ideas for future You Are There exhibits are already being bounced around. Herbst says the board is examining photos dating back to the Civil War to modern times. One being considered depicts an Indianapolis flood relief station in 1913 — an obvious correlation to current events.

“We’ve got some exciting ideas,” Herbst said.

Hours for “1945 Hoosier Home Front” are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays. It is free and open to the public. For more information, call 232-1882 or visit the website at www.indianahistory.org.





Wade Coggeshall writes for the Hendricks County Flyer in Avon, Ind.