exhibit room

World War I: Lessons and Legacies

Join us in the Exhibit Room, October 18 – December 6 to explore World War I, the “the war to end all wars”, which had a lasting impact and far-reaching influence on American life. Sparked by the assassination of one man, the war eventually included the forces of the world’s major industrial powers (over 18 countries) and ended with millions dead. Beyond the countries involved and people affected, World War I gave rise to significant and enduring changes in America.  Wartime technologies and medical advances resulted in new industries and novel ways to fight disease and treat disability. The roles that women and minorities filled in the war led to the right to vote for women and a raised consciousness of civil rights issues throughout society. From the Great Migration to the 1918 flu pandemic and from the unionization movement to women’s suffrage, World War I led to pivotal changes in America’s culture, technology, economy, and role in the world. It redefined how we saw ourselves as Americans and its legacy continues today (text courtesy the Smithsonian Institution).

This exhibit features items from the Doughboy Foundation, the Smithsonian Institution, the Wisconsin Veterans Museum, and the Waupaca Historical Society.