Petition to dedicate rooms at Southampton art gallery to US Army

Southampton played a vital role in preparing for the D-Day landings in the Second World War.

Hundreds of thousands of British and American troops were stationed around the city and on Southampton Water.

Sections of Southampton Civic Centre were used as a base for the US military.

These rooms are part of Southampton City Art Gallery, which is currently undergoing refurbishment.

An online petition has been submitted to the city council to rededicate this space given its significance as a Second World War headquarters for the US Army.

In their submission, the petitioner said most people were not aware of the historical importance of the rooms, adding that they were closed during the D-Day 80 commemorations in June.

The resident said there was a plaque over the door to the rooms hidden in plain sight acknowledging their use, which was removed.

“It is suggested that the plaque is replaced and because the second front was planned and directed from these rooms there should also be a public dedication ceremony, lest we forget,” the petition said.

The gallery originally opened at the Civic Centre in 1939 but it was badly damaged during daytime bombing raids of the city in November 1940.

The current phase of refurbishment is thanks to £2.23million from the Museum Estate and Development fund, which is provided by the Department for Culture Media and Sport, and administered by Arts Council England.

This project includes replacing the west wing roof and installing a new mechanical plant to regulate the gallery’s environment better.

The main hall, east wing and public library have remained open while this work is carried out.

A first phase of refurbishing the art gallery was completed in November 2022, with the replacement of the main hall’s copper roof.

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