2018.034.007 [Ring, Finger]

These rings were made for an Iowa woman named Elsie Madsen by a German POW who was being held at the Audubon, Iowa, skating rink. The rings were made from United States nickels. The Audubon POW camp was located in and around the Audubon roller skating rink. The area was surrounded by a barbed-wire fence and three guard towers. Between 100 and 125 POWs were housed in the camp, and they helped the Carlson Hybrid Corn Company and local farmers with their farm work. The prisoners were only allowed outside of the fence when they were working. The prisoners were paid $0.80 per day in canteen coupons, which they used to purchase cigarettes, magazines, stationery, and other goods available at the camp canteen. Content can be used with the following standards: SS-Gov. 9-12.27 Unique Iowa Systems, SS-WH 9-12.26 Iowans Influence World History and SS-US 9-12.23 Iowans Influence US History in a lesson on Iowans influence in WWII and the development of war programs in the state. For any use other than instructional resources, please check with the organization that owns this item regarding copyright restrictions.