Seattle Civilian War Commission

Domestic war commission which provided services to the armed forces in Seattle during World War II and war-effort information services to civilians.

The Seattle Civilian War Commission evolved from the Seattle Welfare Council and Community Fund Defense Committee. In October 1941 the Seattle Municipal Defense Commission was created and many members of the earlier Defense Committee were appointed to the new body. In the Spring of 1942 the name changed to Seattle Civilian War Commission. The Commission operated two units-- 1) the Civilian Protection Division, which was responsible for air raid wardens and other civil defense services such as auxiliary police and firefighters, and 2) the War Services Division, which provided entertainment to the armed forces and veterans in Seattle in the form of dances, concerts, sports meets, plays, etc.; it was also concerned with civilian health and welfare issues, and provided a telephone information and referral service about war issues to Seattle-area civilians, and was also involved in the organization of lectures, classes, and programs - including youth activity centers - for civilians about ways to help in the war effort. The Commission organized the Council for Services to the Armed Forces, which became the U.S.O. Council. The Seattle Civilian War Commission closed in 1945.