From the Vault: A Mystery Center Opening

It’s a curious setting for a USO Center opening, but we can’t figure out why else there would be a ribbon and scissors in this picture!  Do you recognize the time period, the people, or even the plaque on the wall in the back?  Where are they?!

7 Responses to From the Vault: A Mystery Center Opening

  1. Barbara Augsdorfer

    The plaque looks like the symbol for the Nobel Peace Prize, so I’m guessing this picture was taken in Switzerland? The ladies look like members of a royal family — the pic was probably shot sometime in the 1950′s.

  2. Possibly Brigadier General Mary E. Clarke on right.
    I agree that the woman on the left looks like Oveta Culp Hobby.
    Woman at center could be Colonel Mary A. Hallaren
    Just guessing though.

  3. The short blond woman in the white dress is late actress, Helen Hayes.

  4. Almost forgot to add, since Helen Hayes was always called “The First Lady of The American Theater”, I’m guessing the picture may have been taken at the USO in NYC.

  5. Former First Lady – Lady Bird Johnson is the one cutting the ribbon. She and Helen Hayes were close friends.

  6. Correction: it looks like Lady Bird Johnson – not sure.

  7. You have to scroll through to find it, but this photo is in there. According to it, it’s from 1965 grand opening of General MacArthur USO with Mrs. MacArthur presiding.

    http://www.usonyc.org/AboutUs/OurHistory/tabid/70/Default.aspx

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