Last weekend, I visited Valkenburg to hand over a gift of 9th Army secret maps and documents to the curator of the exhibition ‘Through Their Eyes’. I first visited the exhibit at Museum Valkenburg at the end of September. It is really well put together, with many large-size period photographs on the walls and artifacts from collectors in the area.

I bought this 9th Army lot 15 years ago, because it was from the area where I grew up. But it has remained in a box, as it didn’t really fit with the rest of my collection. After talking to David Loozen, the curator of the exhibition, I decided to offer the items on permanent loan. Hopefully, this exhibition will become permanent, for everyone to enjoy and learn from.

The items came from the 9th Army surgeon. As a member of General Simpson’s staff, he must have been on the circulation list of all these official documents and maps. The documents mostly cover logistics and operational issues and many South Limburg towns are mentioned in them. The 9th stayed in Limburg from October 1944 – March 1945. Other American troops remained in South Limburg until August 1945, and as a result, the region became the most ‘Americanized’ part of the country so their impact on the local community was strong (more on US Embassy website).

Do visit this exhibition in Valkenburg! And while you are at it, I recommend you swing by the new visitor center / museum at the Margraten American Cemetery. It’s nearby. I will add a post about this shortly.