WWI exhibit at Depot Museum
By submitted, 05/3/17 9:40 AM
PRESCOTT – May is Arkansas Heritage Month. This year’s theme, “ A State of War: Arkansas Remembers World War I,” reflects the ongoing centennial commemoration of the role of Arkansas – and the entire United States – in the war, as well as the impacts of the war felt back home.
World War I broke out in Europe in 1914. The United States was reluctant to become involved. However, after a series of events, President Woodrow Wilson felt compelled to enter the war on April 6, 1917. Volunteers began to register for the military at locations all over the United States.
Peggy Lloyd, board member of the Nevada County Depot and Museum, wrote for and received a $3,000 grant from the Arkansas Heritage Commission to prepare an exhibit commemorating WWI Nevada County Soldiers. The exhibit consist of four banners. The banners list in alphabetical order the approximate 550 men who served in the military from Nevada County. The names were compiled from records at the Arkansas State Archives and they include men who either registered in, registered in, or were born in Nevada County, Arkansas. The first and four banners feature photographs of Nevada County citizens. The first banner features a young WWI soldier in his uniform and his bride and the fourth banner features two African American soldiers. Of the 550 men from Nevada County, 171 were African Americans and served largely in labor battalions. The photo of the bride and groom is form the Depot Museum collections and the photo of the African American soldiers is courtesy of the Arkansas State Archives. The WWI Exhibit also includes several photos from Nevada County commemorating those that served in WWI.
The exhibit will be on display around the county beginning May 1. May 8–12 the exhibit will be at the Nevada County Courthouse. May 22–May 31 the exhibit will be at the Nevada County Depot and Museum. The WWI Exhibit is currently at the Prescott High School and will be there through May 3. If the exhibit comes to your community take the opportunity to see it. Nevada County is rich in Arkansas Heritage.
For more information on World War I go to this web link:
http://www.wwiarkansas.com/world-war-i-timeline
