Congressman DeSaulnier Introduces Legislation to Expand Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11) announced the introduction of the Rosie the Riveter National Historic Site Expansion Act (H.R. 7585) to add the Nystrom Elementary School in Richmond, California to the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park. Senators Kamala Harris (D-CA) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) are introducing companion legislation in the U.S. Senate. 

“Richmond and West Contra Costa played a pivotal role in our nation’s efforts in World War II. We owe it to the families who helped write that history to share their stories. By expanding this culturally significant site, visitors will have the opportunity to learn about the Nystrom School, which was built to teach the children of shipyard workers,” said Congressman DeSaulnier. 

“I’m proud to join Rep. DeSaulnier on this legislation to expand the Rosie the Riveter National Historic Park to include the Nystrom School– this will allow visitors to learn more about the history of the Richmond shipyards and the families who lived and worked there to support the war effort in World War II,” said Senator Harris.

“It’s important that we remember the sacrifices made by all Americans during World War II. Nystrom Elementary School was built to accommodate the influx of families moving to Richmond to work at the shipyards. Preserving it as part of the historic park will help tell the story of the war effort,” said Senator Feinstein.

Built during World War II to accommodate the large number of families that moved to Richmond to work at the Kaiser Shipyards, Nystrom Elementary School sits just north of the current historical park. Nystrom was built as part of a planned development that includes the Maritime Child Development Center, which has already been preserved as part of the park, as well as the Nystrom Housing Area, which has been scheduled for future preservation and redevelopment by the city of Richmond. Congressional approval of this addition is required by the law that created the Historical Park. The bill would also provide the National Park Service with the authority to add other historically relevant sites to the park’s boundaries

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