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Over There, Over Here

Program Excellence
       Over There, Over Here: World War I and Life in New Hampshire Communities was awarded the Local History Award for 2017 by the Association of Historical Societies of New Hampshire. New London Historical Society was one of 13 area historical societies participating in this yearlong collaborative.
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The MUSE (MUseums Sharing Experiences) group sponsored a multi-organization exhibition in 2017, Over There, Over Here:  World War I and Life in N.H. Communities. A multi-group collaboration, this program commemorated the 100th anniversary of the United States’ entry into World War I.
       The goal was to put the war in social context exploring the themes of the lives of service men and women, Native American code talkers, the development of camouflage and chemical warfare, communication tactics on the battlefield, the war relief effort, changes on the home front, temperance, women’s suffrage, the Influenza epidemic, and the profound changes in music, art, and literature.
These are just a handful of the topics that were covered throughout the year.  Audience members had the opportunity to gain in depth knowledge about all aspects of life on the home front, immediately before, during and immediately after the war. (link)
       This year long event featured exhibits, programs, lectures, and book readings in Bradford, Hopkinton, Penacook, New London, Warner, and Webster museums, historical societies, and libraries as well as the Aviation Museum in Londonderry. ​​
        NLHS, Tracy Memorial Library, the New London Archives, and Kearsarge Council on Aging participated offering programs and exhibits in New London. (schedule at right)
       The New Hampshire Historical Society created a series of lectures and exhibit on this period in time.
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 What does Instant Coffee have to do with WWI?
   In the trenches, Instant Coffee gave troops a much-needed boost!
     On April 6, 1917, the U.S. declared war on Germany and formally entered World War I. By late June, American infantry troops began arriving in Europe. One thing they couldn't do without? Coffee.
       "Coffee was as important as beef and bread," a high-ranking Army official concluded after the war. A postwar review of the military's coffee supply concurred, stating that it "restored courage and strength" and "kept up the morale." In fact, U.S. troops had long looked toward coffee as a small source of salvation amid the hell of war.  (more)