Skip to Main Content

The Camp Ruston Collection

Camp Ruston Displays at the Archives

The Louisiana Tech Special Collections and Archives hosts a robust series of displays featuring various items from the Camp Ruston collection. Artifacts on display include various items that were hand-crafted by people interred at Camp Ruston, uniforms worn by prisoners, post cards, photographs, and more! Check out the gallery below for a look at our displays!

Remains of a model Rhine Castle

This is all that remains of the model Rhine Castle that was constructed by German POWs at Camp Ruston.

The Papers of Werner Ehrenpreis

German POW at Camp Ruston, 1943. On permanent loan courtesy of Stephen Babcock.

Items pertaining to Camp Ruston

Items include books relevant to Camp Ruston, and a cartoon depicting Ruston citizens disguised as POWs in order to gain admittance to the Camp Ruston movie theater (pencil on paper, 1943-1945).

Items pertaining to Camp Ruston

Items include a 48-star American flag, a WWII ration book, a drawing by Hans Stollenwerk (German P.O.W.), and photos from the camp.

Dresser and model ship

Pine dresser and model ship, both made by POWs during their internment at Camp Ruston.

Model Bavarian cottage

Model Bavarian cottage, built by prisoners during their internment at Camp Ruston.

Summer POW uniform, photos of prisoners, and German-English dictionary

Summer uniform worn by POWs at Camp Ruston, two images of POW that were interned at the camp, and a German-English dictionary that they may have used during their imprisonment.

Winter POW uniform and personal items

Winter uniform worn by POWs at Camp Ruston, along with personal items belonging to prisoners (a knife, a Yugoslavian prayer book, and a canteen).

Various Camp Ruston artifacts

This display includes items pertaining to the capture of the U-5050 by the US Guadalcanal, objects crafted by prisoners during their internment at Camp Ruston, Camp Ruston movie theater tickets, and more.

The Bernard J. Stinnett Papers

This display features documents that belonged to Pfc. Bernard Stinnett, who served as the Clerk of the German Officers Compound at Camp Ruston from October 12, 1944 to October 2, 1945.

The Camp Ruston Archaeological Excavation

This display includes images and newspaper clippings from the excavation of the Camp Ruston site. Also included in the display is a copy POW personal record for Franz Stich.