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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
Online Library of Selected Images:
-- PEOPLE-TOPICS -- WOMEN & THE U.S. NAVY
World War I era Yeomen (F) -- Activities --
Scenes in Navy Department offices in Washington, D.C. -- Part
I
World War I's rapid expansion of the Navy and War Departments
produced a massive building boom in the Nation's Capital. Dozens
of quickly-constructed "temporary" buildings were erected
in Washington, D.C., parks and other open land to house the huge
bureaucracies that administered the war effort. The most substantial
of these structures, the Main Navy and Munitions Buildings, stretched
along the south side of Constitution Avenue, NW, from 17th to
about 21st Streets. Built of reinforced concrete and brick, with
extensive glass windows, these two buildings were occupied in
1918. Many members of their initial work forces were Yeomen (F).
After the conflict's end, most of the wartime "temporary"
buildings were gradually demolished. However, Main Navy and Munitions
lasted far longer than intended. They served through the Second
World War, the Korean War and most of the Vietnam War. In 1970,
much to the amazement of the many "old hands" who had
seen such decisions come and go uneventfully in the past, the
Nixon Administration decided to tear down the old buildings and
actually did it. Constitution Gardens park and part of the Vietnam
War Memorial now occupy their sites.
This page, and those linked from it, feature images of Yeoman
(F) and other Naval personnel and civilians at work in Navy Department
offices in the Main Navy and Munitions Buildings, during 1918-1919.
These photographs provide a fine visual representation of early
20th-Century office conditions, personnel and equipment.
For other views of Yeoman (F) working in the Main Navy and
Munitions buildings, see:
Yeomen (F) Activities -- Scenes in Navy
Department offices in Washington, DC -- Part II;
Yeomen (F) Activities -- Scenes in Navy
Department offices in Washington, DC -- Part III;
Yeomen (F) Activities -- Scenes in Navy
Department offices in Washington, DC -- Part IV;
For additional images of World War I era Yeoman (F) activities,
see:
Yeomen (F) -- Activities.
For selected views and links to further pictorial coverage
on Yeomen (F), see:
World War I era Yeomen (F) -- Overview
and Special Image Selection.
Click on the small photograph to prompt
a larger view of the same image.
Photo #: NH 52900
Navy Department, Washington, D.C.
Military and civilian personnel in a Navy Department office (apparently
a mail room) in the Main Navy or Munitions Buildings, in 1918
or early 1919.
Most of the women in the foreground are Navy Yeomen (F).
Note typewriter on desk at center, mail "pigeonholes"
in the left background, and Victory Liberty Loan poster on the
wall in the center background.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 123KB; 740 x 605 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 52905
Navy Department, Washington, D.C.
Military and civilian personnel maintaining files in a Navy Department
office in the Main Navy or Munitions Buildings, in 1918 or early
1919.
Many of the women present are Navy Yeomen (F).
Note hatracks around the office, with many Yeoman (F) uniform
hats on them.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 134KB; 740 x 595 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 52906
Navy Department, Washington, D.C.
Military and civilian personnel in a Navy Department office in
the Main Navy or Munitions Buildings, in 1918 or early 1919.
Many of the women present are Navy Yeomen (F). There is at least
one male Chief Yeoman (left center, middle) in the group and
what appears to be a civilian supervisor (standing, by pillar).
Note calculating machines at several workstations, spool of red
tape on the desk in the right foreground, drop cords from ceiling
electrical fixtures and lockers along the wall in the distance.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 145KB; 740 x 605 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 52908
Navy Department, Washington, D.C.
Military and civilian personnel in a Navy Department office in
the Main Navy or Munitions Buildings, in 1918 or early 1919.
Many of the women present are Navy Yeomen (F). There are several
officers in the room, including a lieutenant commander (with
an overseas chevron on his sleeve) at right.
Note open windows, many with sunscreens installed, and desks
designed for filing purposes.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 131KB; 740 x 605 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 52909
Navy Department, Washington, D.C.
Military and civilian personnel in a Navy Department office in
the Main Navy or Munitions Buildings, in 1918 or early 1919.
Many of the women present are Navy Yeomen (F). There are two
male Chief Yeomen at the first two rows of desks and typewriters
on most desks.
Note name tag for "Miss Anderson" in the lower right
foreground.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 150KB; 690 x 640 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 52910
Navy Department, Washington, D.C.
Military and civilian personnel in a Navy Department office in
the Main Navy or Munitions Buildings, in 1918 or early 1919.
Many of the women present are Navy Yeomen (F).
Note hanging files and paper sorting racks on some desks, electric
fans on pillar brackets and Victory Liberty Loan posters on the
pillars in the center of the room.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 134KB; 740 x 625 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 52912
Navy Department, Washington, D.C.
Military and civilian personnel in a Navy Department office in
the Main Navy or Munitions Buildings, in 1919.
Most of the women present are Navy Yeomen (F).
Desk in center bears a name tag for "Miss Carlisle"
and has a wickerwork wastebasket beside it.
Calendar on the wall (upper right) is for March 1919.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 102KB; 740 x 615 pixels |
 |
For other views of Yeoman (F) working in the Main Navy and
Munitions buildings, see:
Yeomen (F) Activities -- Scenes in Navy
Department offices in Washington, DC -- Part II;
Yeomen (F) Activities -- Scenes in Navy
Department offices in Washington, DC -- Part III;
Yeomen (F) Activities -- Scenes in Navy
Department offices in Washington, DC -- Part IV;
For additional images of World War I era Yeoman (F) activities,
see:
Yeomen (F) -- Activities.
For selected views and links to further pictorial coverage
on Yeomen (F), see:
World War I era Yeomen (F) -- Overview
and Special Image Selection.
Return to Naval
Historical Center home page.
21 April 2000