Three generations of Patton women have been instrumental in serving the military, veterans, and their families.
During World War II, Beatrice Ayer Patton supported the war effort by promoting war bonds and famously creating a victory garden here at the Patton Homestead. As the spouse of a beloved general, she traveled the country during the war to speak to military wives and families, active duty military, community organizations, and more on behalf of the War Department’s Women’s Interest Section. A book of her speeches is located within the Patton Family Archives. Beatrice Ayer Patton was also a writer and had a passion for the Hawaiian Islands. Her book, Blood of the Shark, is her work of fiction about Hawaiian culture.
During the Vietnam War era, Joanne Holbrook Patton was instrumental in founding the National Military Family Association and she was the first volunteer recipient of the Outstanding Civilian Service decoration by the Department of the Army for her work with Army Community Service. She was also a key volunteer in Operation Troop Support, the American Red Cross, Northeast ARC, and numerous other local philanthropic and civic organizations. Joanne Patton also founded and was the principal of Patton Consulting, which helped nonprofit organizations and institutions develop human and financial resources.
Today, Helen Ayer Patton serves as the representative of the Patton family in Europe. Through the Patton Alliance, she continues to support veterans, World War II historic sites and battlefields, and stewards the legacy of her grandfather, Gen. George S. Patton, Jr.
To continue your tour, look for the mill stone outside the back porch.
Photo: Joanne Holbrook Patton the back porch of the Patton Homestead; Joanne Holbrook Patton and Helen Ayer Patton while volunteering for the Red Cross; Wedding photo of George S. Patton, Jr. and Beatrice Ayer Patton. Images from the Patton Family Archives at the Wenham Museum.
