Hello! I’m Artur, a Second World War researcher. Uncovering the wartime history of my two homes of Chicago (United States) and Tarnów (Poland) is my passion. I hold a bachelor’s degree in History from the University of Illinois as well as a master of letters in Conflict Archaeology and Heritage from the University of Glasgow. My curiosity in the war has taken me on an academic journey spanning six years on two continents.
Previously I worked as the manager of an estate sale company in the Chicago area for 4.5 years. Currently I am employed as a museum technician with the government. In my spare time I serve as the historian for a Polish American military veterans post in Chicago.
What fascinates me the most about the war are the tangible links that have been left behind:
Keepsakes
What are they?
By definition a keepsake is something that is kept or given to be kept as a memento, with the different shapes and forms that it can take being endless. One category of keepsake is ephemera. It consists of written or printed materials, like letters and postcards, that were not meant to be preserved. In contrast, photos capture and preserve a specific moment in time. Other types of keepsakes include jewelry and militaria. Militaria refers to military collectibles and is itself a broad category, including uniforms, awards, equipment, and other items.
Conflict sites
What are they?
A site of conflict can be many things. It does not necessarily have to be a place where actual conflict happened. There are many related activities prior to this type of event such as recruiting, training, and staging. The same can also be said of the aftermath. Taking care of the wounded, the burial of the dead, the internment of prisoners, and commemoration, are just a few associated acts. Thus what can be classified as a site of conflict is extensive: recruitment office, barracks, parade ground, entrenchment, field hospital, war cemetery, monument, e.g.