The Independent: World War I exhibit open at Stuhr
By Amy Schweitzer
Hall Country, Nebraska -- It was the Great War -- the war to end all wars -- and Hall County men and women were at the front of the line to help fight it.
"Hall County was right up front when it came to volunteering," said Kari Stofer, curator of exhibits at Stuhr Museum. She said not only did Grand Island step up to the plate with its fighting men during World War I, but also in selling war bonds and setting up a canteen. "They went way above and beyond the quota. Hall County did a tremendous job."
World War I started in Europe in 1914, but the United States didn't enter the war until 1917 after President Woodrow Wilson tried to negotiate peace and was even re-elected based on his neutrality to the war. War was officially declared by the U.S. April 6, 1917.
An Italian carbine rifle, a medic's belt, a hand grenade and a stretcher are just part of a new exhibit at Stuhr Museum dedicated to World War I.
The museum will have photographs, uniforms and memorabilia from World War I on display starting today and running through Feb. 13.
Stofer said the museum had a similar display about five or six years ago, but it has added items to its collection since then, including a fabric water bucket and a couple of pieces of uniforms.
Each of the more than 160 items, including 40 photographs and 18 uniforms, have some connection to Hall County. Many were donated by soldiers or nurses who brought them home from the war to Hall County.
The exhibit includes helmets, American as well as German, which Stofer said were probably picked up as souvenirs by fighting men from Hall County.
A 48-star flag hangs on the wall of the main Stuhr building. It had been presented to a Hall County widow.
Also on display are several star mother flags that mothers who had a son serving hung in their window. If the woman's son died, the star was yellow.
Stofer said there were some items that they didn't even realize were related to the war until some research was done on the item.
"This looks like a nice vase, but it's really what we call trench art," she said, pointing to a large vase made from a large shell. "They would collect the shells, then go back to the trenches and make them into vases or other decorative objects."
Another unusual item in the collection was a fragile crocheted vest or shawl that had been traded to a World War I soldier in exchange for food.
"We have some pretty neat things," Stofer said.
The Lacy Hall is dedicated to the nurses and other women volunteers during the war.
"Troop trains would stop off in Grand Island and (the town) would have a full force of people ready to meet them," Stofer said.
Each year Stuhr Museum chooses a theme for its displays. This year the theme is first responders in honor of the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 tragedies. World War I was chosen because when the call to arms came from Washington, D.C., Hall County was one of the first to answer with soldiers and volunteers.
"Soldiers and women basically dropped everything and put their full trust in the armed forces," Stofer said. "It's very inspiring."
About a month after war was declared, Congress passed the Selective Service Act that drafted 2.8 million men into the Army. By the summer of 1918, the U.S. was sending 10,000 fresh soldiers to France every day. The war ended on Armistice Day, Nov. 11, 1918.
Stofer is inviting everyone out to the museum while the display is up.
If you go...
What: World War I display
Where: The Stuhr building's Main Gallery and Lacy Hall, Stuhr Museum, 3133 W. Highway 34
When: Jan. 15 to Feb. 13
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday
More information: 385-5316 or www.stuhrmuseum.org
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