Exhibit Opening, Lecture On Veterans Day
Columbia Calls/Enlist Now for U.S. Army, lithograph
designed by Frances Adams Halstead (1873-1951), original
painting Vincent Aderente (1880-1941), 1917. New Hampshire
Historical Society.
The
New Hampshire Historical Society announces special Veterans Day
programming on Saturday, November 11, including the opening of a
new exhibition of World War I propaganda posters and a
presentation of the illustrated lecture “New Hampshire at War.”
As
part of this year’s centennial commemoration of America’s entry
into World War I, the Society continues its exploration of the
war’s impact on the Granite State with a new exhibition, Making
the World Safe for Democracy: Posters of the Great War in New
Hampshire. Featuring 15 posters from the Society’s collection,
the exhibition examines the use of this popular art form to
shape public opinion and mobilize American citizens to fight a
distant war.
Europe plunged into World War I on July 28, 1914. Long isolated
from the conflicts of Europe, many Americans were not eager to
enter the war. The United States remained neutral until April 6,
1917, when Congress declared war on Germany. Just a week after
the declaration of war, President Woodrow Wilson created the
Committee on Public Information with an entire division -- the
Division of Pictorial Publicity -- dedicated to the creation and
distribution of poster propaganda.
Poster propaganda offered several advantages -- it was
inexpensive, visually appealing, and sent a clear, strong
message. The posters were designed to evoke a range of emotions
from patriotism, loyalty, duty, and thrift, to hatred of the
enemy. With powerful images and a few well-chosen words, these
posters urged the people of New Hampshire and the nation to
support the war effort by enlisting in the army, navy, and Red
Cross, purchasing liberty bonds, or conserving food and raw
materials.
Making the World Safe for Democracy opens on Saturday, November
11, the anniversary of the armistice agreement that ended World
War I. In honor of Veterans Day, the Society is also offering a
special presentation of the lecture “New Hampshire at War” at 2
p.m. on November 11. This program covers all major conflicts
that have affected the Granite State from the colonial period to
the present. It highlights New Hampshire’s contributions to the
war efforts and famous New Hampshire residents who participated
in the conflicts. This presentation includes a 45-minute
illustrated lecture and a brief guided tour of the “Citizen
Soldier” section of the Discovering New Hampshire exhibition.
Making the World Safe for Democracy: Posters of the Great War in
New Hampshire will be on view at the Society’s headquarters,
located at 30 Park Street in Concord, until October 2018. “New
Hampshire at War” will be presented on Saturday, November 11, at
2 p.m. Museum staff will also be leading guided gallery tours of
the Society’s historic Park Street building and the Discovering
New Hampshire gallery at 2 and 3 p.m. on November 11. These
programs are all included in the price of admission, which is $7
for adults. Society members and children 18 and under are
admitted free of charge, as are active military personnel and
their families with ID.
Founded in 1823 the New Hampshire Historical Society is an
independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to saving,
preserving, and sharing New Hampshire history. Nowhere will you
find a more extensive collection of objects and archives related
to New Hampshire’s history. The Society shares these vast
collections through its research library, museum, website,
publications, exhibitions, and youth and adult educational
programs. The Society is not a state-funded agency. All of its
programs and services are made possible by membership dues and
contributions. For more information about the Society and the
benefits of membership, visit nhhistory.org or call 603-228-6688.