Remembering World War One: Sharing History/Preserving Memories
As we approach the centenary of World War One, Connecticut State Library looks to tell the stories of ordinary men and women who both served on the front and at home. To do this we are holding Digitization Day events around the state in partnership with museums, libraries and other community organizations. At these events Connecticut residents are invited to bring in their photos, letters and other keepsakes from WWI for digitization. The digital images and stories collected at these events will be added to the State Library’s online archive and made freely accessible for public use.
In 2017 this project was awarded a Common Heritage grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. This grant will enable us to bring these events to communities around the state at no cost to the community. It also provides funding for public programming aimed at increasing knowledge about World War One and the effect it had on our families, communities and nation.
ONLINE SUBMISSIONS
Here are a few examples of things people have brought to Digitization Day events. To see more visit our collections in the Connecticut Digital Archive.
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- John T. Dillon, Co. C, 102nd Infantry Regiment, 26th Division
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- Mess kit, Percy Eustis
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- Emilio Vandamo, 27th Transportation Corps
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- Robert Bonner Remington, grave marker in France
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- Jacob Gworek, Co. G, 1st Connecticut Regiment
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- Certificate of Service, Merritt Learned
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- U.S. Navy Discharge, George Lawrence Lawson
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- Shaving kit, William Mullane
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- Helen Marie Chizmar, American Red Cross
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- Pickelhaube brought home by Jacob Bernasconi
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- Benjamin Wyrtzen, Ambulance Section, 101st Sanitary Train, 26th Division
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- Comrades in Service pledge card, Joseph Auerhamer
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- Handkerchief brought home by Charles Mariano
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- Soldier’s Memorial, 3d Ambulance Co. 26th Division
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- Memorial Tree Plaque, Middletown, Earl Clarke
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- Battalion runners, Chassemy Woods, Chemin des Dames, Merritt Learned
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- Benjamin Wyrtzen, Ambulance Section, 101st Sanitary Train, 26th Division
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- Chaplain’s Medal, Rev. John M. Groton
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- Pvt. Paul Maynard, arrival postcard
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- Anna Irvina Brown, Yeoman First Class, United States Navy
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- Mess Tent, Co. C, 102nd Infantry Regiment, 26th Division, Edward Schafer
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- Engraved canteen, J.G. Wilburt
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- James Joseph Bagnall, registration certificate
“I do not need to remind you that the splendid things which we know about those with whom we are acquainted, cannot possibly be known by others who follow us, unless we make some record of them, and that is what we want to do with the record of your son Robert…Hoping you understand what we are trying to do, namely help you and perpetuate the memory of the deeds of your son.”
– George Seymour Godard to Mrs. Minnie Remington regarding her son Robert Bonner Remington’s war record and death in France on May 1, 1918.