World War One was called ‘The Great War’ in 1917 when no one then living could conceive that there might be another. The hostilities affected the entire world, including the citizens of New Hampshire.
2017 is the 100th anniversary of the United States’ entry into the conflict. On April 6, 1917 we joined our allies, Great Britain, France and Russia. Major General John Pershing commanded more than 2 million soldiers for America.
-EXHIBITIONS (OPEN TO THE PUBLIC)-
In New Hampshire, the MUSE (Museums Sharing Experiences) group is offering public exhibitions throughout the year, called “Over There, Over Here: World War I and Life in N.H. Communities.” Their offerings include interesting programs, lectures, exhibits, book readings and activities. To date the towns involved include Bradford, Hopkinton, Penacook, New London, Warner and Webster museums, historical societies and libraries, along with the Aviation Museum in Londonderry. These programs are open to the public, not just their local residents. [See ALL the participating organizations with contact info here!]
World War I Valentine
Their web site, Over there, Over Here mentions that the themes will include temperance, women’s suffrage, the Spanish influenza epidemic, code talkers, camouflage, communication, art, literature and the home front. I highly recommend that you visit their web site for the entire listing of programs offered.
-WWI AFFECTED EVERYONE-
This is a good time for you, my readers, to think about your own family’s involvement in World War I. Those affected were not only those who went to war (including nurses and other Red Cross workers). There were military who worked on the home front, men and women who were conscientious objectors (some of whom were imprisoned), parents and siblings who anxiously awaited their return.
There were social groups who made bandages, wrote letters, educated families on how to conserve food, metal and other items needed by the war effort. New skills were developed at home as observers, signalers, organizers were necessary to keep watch, sell War bonds, and help with the unusual problems presented by the influenza epidemic.
Postcard showing a WW1 parade held in Manchester New Hampshire in 1918.
-RESEARCHING WWI-
If you want to research New Hampshire WWI military personnel, a good start is this article at my searchroots blog, “A Quick Guide to Researching United States WWI Military Genealogy. If you write a story about New Hampshire in WWI that you would like linked here, just let me know.
-STORIES of NH MILITARY-
If your WWI military ancestor hailed from New Hampshire, and died during that war, you could start by looking at my story about the WWI memorial plaque in the New Hampshire State House. I have written detailed stories about the following locations: Manchester, Nashua, Concord, Penacook, Tilton, Keene, Hooksett, Berlin, Conway, Exeter, and Hancock, New Hampshire.
Great post, Janice. A reminder to focus on the impact of an event on our ancestors.
It’s been quite an eye opener for me to learn that a number of my “long-lost” cousins fought in World War I. It’s one of the real side benefits of doing genealogy—learning more about history in general. What a terrible war it was. Great—a strange adjective to use for something so awful.
Your blog – and the many remembrances of the men who were called into service and, in some instances, gave all – is a great resource now in the year of the centennial of America’s joining the war and for posterity’s sake in the future.
Wonderful post, Janice, thank you! I’m very excited about this series and hope it generates lots of good discussions in our community.
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