By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
As the nation prepares to honor those who gave their lives serving the country, the Wood County Historical Center is preparing to look back to those who served a century ago.
The museum is planning to focus on World War I next year – 100 years from when the U.S. officially entered the war – trying to give local residents an idea of what it was like to serve in the war and what it was like to be left behind at home.
Though the exhibits are still in the planning stages, Museum Director Dana Nemeth and Curator Holly Hartlerode Uppal explained the concept last week to the Wood County Commissioners. All men living in Wood County at the time had to sign up for war, but it cannot be found exactly how many went overseas to battle, Uppal said.
One part of the exhibit will be a trench-like structure so visitors can experience a little of what the soldiers felt during trench warfare. “Imagine living in one of those things,” Uppal said.
Soldiers fought largely in trenches during World War I. By the end of the war, more than 9 million soldiers had been killed, and another 21 million wounded.
Nemeth and Uppal hope to have global domination games, and WWI propaganda posters from the library, as well as gas masks and uniforms from the era. Bradner American Legion will be approached about loaning the museum its WWI machine gun for the exhibit.
The exhibits will also focus on the lives of families left behind here in the states, by explaining Victory gardens, Liberty Bonds, and rationing that was part of life then.
The exhibits will also look at “shell shock” and post traumatic stress disorder – terms that originated during WWI, Uppal said.
In an effort to immerse visitors in the era, Uppal said the community band will be approached about playing a concert of World War I music. And some type of poppy field will be created to recognize the poem memorializing WWI soldiers, called “In Flanders Field.”
The WWI theme will carry throughout 2017 at the historical center.
“It’s brought a lot of new life to the staff,” Nemeth said.
Military personnel and their families are invited to tour the Wood County Historical Center & Museum at no charge this summer as part of the annual Blue Star Museums program in collaboration with the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, and the Department of Defense. This promotion will last through Labor Day weekend.
Nemeth and Uppal informed the county commissioners of other events planned at the center, such as a corn maze this fall and the time capsule filling and sealing this summer. The deadline for objects to be submitted for the time capsule is July 1.
Nemeth also reported that the elevator project at the historical center should be completed this summer, with Aug. 27 scheduled as the grand re-opening for accessibility project. Fundraising is continuing for the elevator.
The museum is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and weekends from 1 to 4 p.m. The museum is closed on holidays. The scenic grounds are open daily dawn to dusk for photos, picnics, and walking.
