In June 1942, the U.S. Army began recruiting immigrants, the children of immigrants, refugees, and others with language skills and knowledge of enemy lands and cultures for a special Military Intelligence Training Center located in the mountains of northern Maryland. Graduates of this program were called Ritchie Boys, and they are the subject of the book Ritchie Boy Secrets. The author, Beverley Driver Eddy, will speak about some of the surprising facts she learned about the camp and the men and women who passed through it. 

Beverley Driver Eddy is professor emerita at Dickinson College. She earned her doctorate at Indiana University, with a specialization in 19th- and 20th-century German and Scandinavian literature. She is the author of eight books, five of which touch on topics related to World War II.

This program is brought to you in partnership with OLLI at Penn State and The Pennsylvania Military Museum.

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Penn State is a membership-based, volunteer-driven organization, offering members of the community—aged 50 years and better—the opportunity to learn, explore, and connect with other curious adults through educational, social, travel, and volunteer opportunities. Learn more about OLLI at Penn State.

The Pennsylvania Military Museum is a community gathering place welcoming audiences of all abilities and backgrounds to gather and explore the story of the Commonwealth’s men and women serving in the Armed Forces, civilian activities on the home front, and Pennsylvania’s contributions to military innovation. Learn more about the Pennsylvania Military Museum.