Oregon Historical Society presents “So Ready for Laughter: The Legacy of Bob Hope”

Bob Hope elicited laughs through radio waves, on the stage, in television and film. But none of them mattered more than the humor he injected into American camps across the globe during World War II. Using multimedia elements and captivating storytelling — including objects, films, rare photographs, and an interactive display — So Ready for Laughter: The Legacy of Bob Hope highlights how Hope helped lift the human spirit during one of the darkest times in American history. This national touring exhibition is on display at the Oregon Historical Society, 1200 S. Park Ave., through Aug. 18.

Exploring Hope’s major tours and travels during World War II, So Ready for Laughter features nearly fifty objects and also includes an original 11-minute documentary. Highlights include rare, unpublished photographs of Hope, wartime correspondence between Hope and servicemembers, WWII-era objects engraved to Hope, videos of his traveling wartime troupe, and Hollywood Victory Caravan programs and scrapbooks.

The museum is open seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. Admission is $10, with discounts for students, seniors, teachers and youth. Admission is free for museum members and Multnomah County residents. Learn more and plan your visit at ohs.org/visit.

Photo courtesy of The National WWII Museum