Anthropology Museum's Marks WWI Anniversary with Exhibit, Author Lecture
Katlyn Casagrande, a senior majoring in anthropology, displays World War I-era aviation googles that will be among the artifacts in the new exhibit, "World War I: Aviation and Immigration," at USU's Museum of Anthropology. The exhibit, which commemorates the 100-year anniversary of the United States’ entry into the Great War, opens Saturday.
The background of bullets and mud played out on the fields of France, but World War I also affected and misplaced those in places as calm and isolated as the Cache Valley.
Men leaving as soldiers. Immigrant families seeking stability. Families facing disease and deprivation.
A new exhibit at USU’s Museum of Anthropology examines those dynamic and hungry years in Cache Valley during the Great War.
The exhibit, “World War I: Aviation and Immigration” commemorates the century mark of the United States’ entrance into the war that had been raging in Europe since 1914, said museum curator Molly Cannon. The kickoff will be part of the museum’s monthly Family 1st Saturdays.
The day-long celebration on Saturday will be highlighted by a presentation by authors Jeff Bateman and Emily Wheeler at 12:30 p.m. The authors of “No Peace with the Dawn: a Novel of the Great War,” will share their research focused on the effects of World War I endured by Cache Valley residents.
Cannon said the museum exhibit will feature artifacts of World War I collection. On display will be a flight suit and accessories from immigrants to the U.S. who returned to their home countries to fight, said Cannon.
This period of the 20th century also saw an influx of immigrants to Cache County, some who fought for the United States and others who were forced to leave because of pressures, said Cannon.
Many were Eastern Europeans who were drawn by Utah’s mining and railroad industries. Logan even included a “German Town” neighborhood at the base of Old Main Hill.
“That’s all of what we’re looking into,” said Cannon.
The exhibit continues through the end of 2017.
Activities for children and families will begin at 10 a.m. with hands-on activities and arts and crafts. Activities continues to 2 p.m.
The Museum of Anthropology is in Old Main, room 252. All events are free and open to the public. The public is welcome to come for the 12:30 p.m. presentation only.
For information, call the museum at 435-797-7545.
Contact: USU Museum of Anthropology, 435-797-7545.
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