Date: Fri, 25 May 2018 10:44:11 -0400 (EDT) From: "onthelake2@tds.net" <onthelake2@tds.net> Message-ID: <1395659851.15712782.1527259451611.JavaMail.zimbra@tds.net> Subject: Re: World War I Re-enactors.
Brian,
Good points, definitely overlooked by history classes and news stories!! Thanks!
Greg
----- Original Message -----
From: Brian Bigler <usemeum@mhtc.net>
To: localhistory@listserve.uwec.edu
Sent: Thu, 24 May 2018 07:32:28 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Re: World War I Re-enactors.
Hello all of you history lovers,WWI on the home front is one of those areas where we as
presenters of history often overlook the facts that there was also
a darker side of the regional story during the war. We may not
know that Wisconsin was actually dubbed the "Traitor State" and
that German speaking individuals that were well established state
residents and Americans were viewed as suspect by some. Patriotic
fervor took many turns during this period and perhaps you will
find that your hometown took a darker side of history during this
period (see sedition map Wisconsin Historical Society iconography
that shows areas of the state targeted and stories of the war
years).
Loyalty Day parades, propaganda and local newspapers reported
more than just the war over there they encouraged home front
locals to participate proudly and declared those who did not as
the enemy or disloyal. Some state individuals were actually
dragged from their homes and beaten by angry mobs. Churches that
used German or even Norwegian in their weekly services abruptly
stopped these practices. And so on.I always find that a good exhibit attempts to tell the "total
story" and takes an even path through the middle of history when
it relays its messages to the visiting public. It is not always
the rosy story that we want, but it is the true story.Another story often overlooked during the duration of WWI is that
a serious flu epidemic was on the horizon when the war came to a
close - a story often usurped by the war itself.Keep up the good work all of you!Sincerely,Brian J. Bigler
Exhibit designer - Mount Horeb
On 5/21/2018 10:00 PM, Mondovi History
wrote:
Just wondering if anyone has contacts for or knows of World
War I re-enactors. The Mondovi Area Historical Society is
planning on commemorating the centennial of the war at our
annual "The Past in the Park" event on July 1st. We realize
it is late in the game to be inquiring, but we thought we had
a group lined up and now have learned that they won't be
coming.
Thanks.
Steve MikelsonMondovi Area Historical Society