The West Haven Historical Society will open an exhibit on World War I on Saturday June 10 and Sunday June 11 from 11- 4. The exhibit will showcase local memorabilia, photographs, medals, and other artifacts related to West Haven’s participation in World War I. Admission is free on both days.
The display, “Over, Over There: West Haven in World War I,” will be highlighted by a local soldier’s diary relating events in his service in the American Army in France, a book written by a woman from the area who volunteered as a nurse in France during the Great War, a helmet worn by a young man in the World War and a U.S. Navy serviceman’s uniform.
“These wonderful examples of family memorabilia from the First World War, have been loaned to the Society by local families for the society’s special exhibition,” noted Jon Purmont, president of the Historical Society.
Also on view will be photographs of local West Haven soldiers who served in World War I, newspapers from the war years, letters and post cards from local West Haven residents who served in the armed forces of the U.S. from 1917-1918. Many of the items come from the archival collection of the city’s historical society.
“We searched our Archives and found numerous photographs, medals, souvenirs, sheet music and information about West Haven during the War,” according to Maureen Klein a member of the society’s Archives Committee. Among the interesting materials on display for the first time is a ledger book from 1917-1918 kept by West Haven officials concerning various local patriotic organizations rental of the Community Room of the Old Town Hall. The entry for all those groups notes “no charge” levied for those particular groups.
For example, the West Haven Liberty Chorus often used the facility at the Town Hall for rehearsals and public concerts in order to urge support for the war effort. Other local groups such as the West Haven Defense Council , the Home Guard, and the Liberty Bond Committee are also listed in the official town register from the last century.
The exhibit opens Saturday 11-4 and Sunday June 11 from 11-4 at the Historical Society 686 Savin Ave., opposite the West Haven Green. Admission is free.
The Historical Society’s Open House coincides with the statewide Open House program throughout Connecticut. The event provides the public the opportunity to visit historical societies, museums, and other cultural sites throughout the state.
The West Haven Historical Society will open an exhibit on World War I on Saturday June 10 and Sunday June 11 from 11- 4. The exhibit will showcase local memorabilia, photographs, medals, and other artifacts related to West Haven’s participation in World War I. Admission is free on both days.
The display, “Over, Over There: West Haven in World War I,” will be highlighted by a local soldier’s diary relating events in his service in the American Army in France, a book written by a woman from the area who volunteered as a nurse in France during the Great War, a helmet worn by a young man in the World War and a U.S. Navy serviceman’s uniform.
“These wonderful examples of family memorabilia from the First World War, have been loaned to the Society by local families for the society’s special exhibition,” noted Jon Purmont, president of the Historical Society.
Also on view will be photographs of local West Haven soldiers who served in World War I, newspapers from the war years, letters and post cards from local West Haven residents who served in the armed forces of the U.S. from 1917-1918. Many of the items come from the archival collection of the city’s historical society.
“We searched our Archives and found numerous photographs, medals, souvenirs, sheet music and information about West Haven during the War,” according to Maureen Klein a member of the society’s Archives Committee. Among the interesting materials on display for the first time is a ledger book from 1917-1918 kept by West Haven officials concerning various local patriotic organizations rental of the Community Room of the Old Town Hall. The entry for all those groups notes “no charge” levied for those particular groups.
For example, the West Haven Liberty Chorus often used the facility at the Town Hall for rehearsals and public concerts in order to urge support for the war effort. Other local groups such as the West Haven Defense Council , the Home Guard, and the Liberty Bond Committee are also listed in the official town register from the last century.
The exhibit opens Saturday 11-4 and Sunday June 11 from 11-4 at the Historical Society 686 Savin Ave., opposite the West Haven Green. Admission is free.
The Historical Society’s Open House coincides with the statewide Open House program throughout Connecticut. The event provides the public the opportunity to visit historical societies, museums, and other cultural sites throughout the state.