Currently in development at the Isle of Wight County Museum is our Duck and Cover exhibit!

In the 1950s under the National Plan for Civil Defense and Defense Mobilization, fallout shelters were developed for homes, business and schools to protect citizens from a nuclear blast and radioactive fallout. Sites prepared for an unknown number of inhabitants as anyone – employees, customers, students, passersby, etc. - might need shelter on a moment's notice. The basement of the Bank of Smithfield was a designated fallout shelter, and our exhibit is a conceptual rendition of a community shelter.

These images show our exhibit's development process:

Designer's Rendering

The Exhibit Space - Exterior

The Exhibit Space - Interior

Painting the Faux Wall Panels

Preparing for Installation

Installing the Panels

Adding the Shelving Unit & Artifacts

Mr. Civil Defense Arrives