Rochester War Council Records

In 1940, New York State governor Herbert H. Lehman appointed a state Council of Defense, bringing together civic and business leaders to help the state prepare for what Governor Lehman believed would be an American entrance into World War Two. The Council became a statutory body in 1941, and evolved into the New York State War Council in 1942, following the passage of the New York State War Emergency Act. Under this Act, over 100 local councils were formed in the cities and counties of the state. These councils were involved in promoting civilian protection and war production in their communities.

In Rochester, the War Council and Office of Civilian Protection came into being on May 1st, 1941. The War Council took over the Civic Exhibits Building as a headquarters, with City Manager Louis B. Cartwright as Director of Civilian Protection. Coordinator of Defense Activities William A. Lang was appointed Deputy Director of the 24-member board. Lang, who had served as secretary to Public Safety Commissioner Thomas C. Woods since 1937, would lead the War Council for its entire existence. The Council quickly raised a force of 14,000 volunteers to serve in various roles, such as air raid wardens, auxiliary firemen and auxiliary police. The Council also assisted in such activities as scrap drives, war bond sales and organizing vocational training for workers in rapidly expanding war industries.

The War Council began breaking up its efforst even before the war was completely won. For example, on May 18, 1945, months before Japan's surrender, the city-county civilian protection center was ordered to be dismantled. While this signified the official end of air raid preparations, it also led to calls for continued city-county partnership in areas of civilian interest (such as child care) into a post-war world, along with maintaining regional emergency preparedness measures. The War Councils across New York State were abolished in September of 1945, leading to the dissolution of the Rochester council and dispersal of the property it used during the war.