WWI America

WWI America presents the stories of a divisive and transformational America told through original artifacts, images, voices, music, hands-on exploration, and multimedia presentations.

Highlights:

• A recreated newsstand features a multimedia show on the ongoing war in Europe before American entry.
• At a wharf interactive visitors explore the variety and scale of U.S. products shipped overseas, including horses, locomotives, steel, weapons, and donations of grain and flour.
• A short animation and original artifacts from the sinking of the RMS Lusitania — including a deck chair from the ship — show the threats of submarine warfare.
• A multimedia environment tells stories of the Great Migration of African Americans from the rural South to northern cities, and how these migrants sought jobs in booming war industries.
• A Red Cross ambulance sets the scene for an immersive battlefield environment where visitors hear stories from soldiers and nurses.
• Original artifacts and stories from “doughboys” like Charles Whittlesey and Jose de la Luz Saenz. Whittlesey, of the famed “Lost Battalion,” was trapped behind German lines for almost a week. Saenz, a Mexican-American soldier, fought for democracy in France and against racial segregation in the United States.
• Artifacts and images show the impact of new, terrifying technologies, such as poison gas, machine guns, tanks, and airplanes.
• An interactive quiz reveals the government’s swift suppression of dissent from Emma Goldman, Eugene V. Debs, and others.
• The struggle for woman suffrage was intertwined with American involvement in the war. A multimedia environment features original artifacts and stories from the movement.
• At a music store with an interactive Victrola and in a sit-down movie theater, visitors explore popular culture of the era.

Throughout the exhibit, visitors encounter “Witnesses,” people who represent the complex and divergent stories of the day, including:

• Social reformer Jane Addams
• African American activist W.E.B. DuBois
• Evangelist Billy Sunday
• Volunteer nurse and driver Alice O'Brien
• Movie star Mary Pickford
• Entrepreneur-activist Madam C.J. Walker

Programs and Events

• War Work: WWI In America 
  April 13, 2019 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
  100 years on, explore how WWI was experienced here at home and how it shaped our modern world.

• High Noon Talk: They Called Them Soldier Boys
  May 1, 2019 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
  Explore the contributions of Texans in the Great War.  

• H-E-B Free First Sunday: Texans Who Serve
  June 2, 2019 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
  Honor the brave Texans who serve and protect our country.

• Evenings Out: National Donut Day
  June 7, 2019 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
  Commemorate the centennial of WWI with drinks and donuts. 

• Sense-sational Thursdays: Pretty Poppies
  June 27, 2019 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
  Read stories and learn all about these brightly colored flowers and their symbolic connection to World War I.

• Make It Tuesdays: WWI Animal Heroes
  July 2, 2019 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
  Discover the stories of animal war heroes and participate in an activity to learn more about their daring deeds.

• Cool Summer Nights: Time
  July 19, 2019 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
  The second Cool Summer Nights of the season highlights the many ways in which the American experience has been impacted by inventions, technologies and cultural movements in conjunction with the exhibition WW1 America. 

• B Movies and Bad History: The Great War
  July 30, 2019 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
  See the best (and worst) portrayals of The Great War shown on-screen and explore the meaning behind them.  

• Workshop: Food Preservation 101
  August 10, 2019 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
  Discover the ins and outs of food preservation, then try it for yourself.

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WWI America was produced by the Minnesota Historical Society in partnership with the National Constitution Center, the National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial, the Oakland Museum of California, and the Bullock Texas State History Museum.

WWI America has been made possible in part by major grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the human endeavor.

Support for the Bullock Museum's exhibitions and education programs is provided by the Texas State History Museum Foundation.

Sponsored by The Albert and Ethel Herzstein Hall Fund.

Additional support provided by Union Pacific.