The Karpeles Manuscript Library was founded in 1983 by David and Marsha Karpeles, "who created the museum(s) to stimulate interest in learning, especially in our children," according to its website, which details the national network of history museums, including the one in Tacoma by Wright Park. In a nutshell, the library system hosts the largest private collection of manuscripts in the world. The building that holds the Tacoma location of Karpeles originally served as a World War I veterans hall. Built by Henry A Rhodes in 1931, the building is a remembrance to his son, Lt. Edward B. Rhodes, who died in battle. The main room, which now houses the Karpeles Museum's traveling exhibits, maintains a stage and a floating floor on springs - a remnant of its first incarnation as a dance hall for the veterans. The "World War II" just opened at Karpeles housing the Japanese flag captured at the Battle of Okinawa and the navigator's flight log of the Enola Gay Boeing B-29 Superfortress bomber at the time of its dropping the atomic bomb on Hiroshima.

"WORLD WAR II," through Aug. 24, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Karpeles Manuscript Museum, 407 S. G St., Tacoma, free admission, 253.383.2575