The Importance of the WW2 Observation Towers

• Jonna Mobius, Art, University of Delaware

• Aaron Terry, Art & Design, University of Delaware

In the Sussex county of Delaware, various towers that have been sitting on the beaches since World War 2. Information about them can be mostly found at the state parks and the articles published by the local community newspaper. However, these towers are not widely mentioned outside Sussex county despite their historical importance. When learning about World War 2 in the local high school, there was never a moment taught about how the Observation towers were constructed during the war. No one knew that our beaches were once a spot used for war purposes. In recent years, one of these towers was successfully restored with help from the entire community. However, only those who were around just our community were aware that a piece of Delaware history was being restored. The importance of the Observation towers can be visualized through the use of oil painting techniques. The oil paintings show the importance of the WW2 Observation towers through the use of perspectives, time periods in history, and community symbolism. The towers can be explored by the public, the paintings show the viewers where they will be traveling to, from the top of the tower to the spiral staircase in the interior. Since these towers were built for war, these paintings also exhibit how the towers protected us in the past and should still stand in order to stand guard in any potential future wars. The towers are a symbol that make up the importance of what Sussex County really is. The importance of these towers should be continued to be shared with not just the local community but with the rest of the state to ensure that everyone is aware of the rich history that lies on those very beaches.