The Friends of the Frankfort Public Library invites you to “In the Trenches of World War I” during the month of May.
Several contributors have teamed up to bring you compelling stories of WWI and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier located in Arlington National Cemetery.
These month-long programs are in conjunction with the Friends Annual Meeting that will be held on Friday May 14 at 6 p.m. in the Elizabeth O’Rear Skanta Theatre. Social distancing and masks are required.
May 7 – June 2: The Great War: From Ration Lines to the Front Lines Exhibit
The Indiana Historical Society’s (IHS) traveling exhibit, courtesy of Kroger, explores the roots of WWI, America’s entrance into the war, Indiana’s contributions to the war effort, the evolution of warfare, the role of Hoosier women both at home and abroad, the construction of the American Legion building and the Indiana War Memorial, and more. In addition to the IHS exhibit, the Friends of the Frankfort Community Public Library will have enlargements of historical photos and memorabilia courtesy of the Smithsonian Institute, Indiana War Memorial, National Archives, VFW Post #1110, Clinton County Historical Museum, and a replica of a WWI Trench. This exhibit will be on display in the Anna and Harlan Hubbard Gallery.
Friday, May 14
Replica of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier will be on display. In honor of the 100th anniversary of the dedication of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a half-scale replica of the Tomb will be on display outside in front of the Frankfort Library from 11 AM to 7 PM on Friday May 14. The Patriot Guard will be escorting the Tomb between 9 AM and 10 AM before exhibit begins at 11 AM. (In case of rain, the replica will be moved inside to the Circulation Area.) The Tomb replica will be staffed at all times to answer your questions and is owned and managed by the Americanism Committee of the Exchange Club of Rome, Georgia. The Indiana Patriot Guard will be escorting the replica to the library the morning of May 14 from the downtown square to the library. This exhibit is sponsored by Frankfort VFW #1110.
As a professional storyteller of more that 32 years, Sharon Kirk Clifton has traveled throughout America’s heartland, presenting her one-woman historical performances. On May 14 at 6:15 PM, Clifton will share the story of Indiana WWI nurse, Ruth Wright, as part of her program, Over There and Back Again, in the Library’s Skanta Theatre. She has received multiple writing and poetry awards, and is a recipient of a Lilly Teacher Creativity Fellowship.
Also on May 14, you can hear retired Sentinel/Military Guard, Sergeant Matt Kreeb, of Illinois. Sgt. Kreeb served in the Army as a Sentinel on the detail at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from 2001-2005. He served in nearly every position at the Tomb, most distinctively as Assistant Sergeant of the Guard. Matt will share his personal experiences and training for the guard, and include the creation of the Tomb after WWI, and illustrate the Sentinel mission. Sgt. Kreeb’s program will begin at 7 P.M. in the Skanta Theatre.
Please be sure to visit the Indiana Historical Society’s exhibit at the library on May 14 before or after the special programs. These programs and exhibits are free and open to the public.
WILO’s Kevin Keith and Mike Downey will broadcast with guests and information LIVE from the library on Friday May 14 from 11 AM to 1 PM, made possible by Center Township Trustee Office.
More information: CLICK myfcpl.org.
Special Thanks to:
- Indiana Humanities grant in cooperation with the National Endowment for the Humanities
- VFW Post # 1110
- Industrial Federal Credit Union
- Encompass Credit Union
- American Legion Post #12
- Gangwer Powers Insurance
- Skiles Electric, Inc.
- Clinton County Community Foundation
- Ransom Family Advised Endowment Fund
- Graphics Guardian, A Gerber Designs Company
- Knights of Columbus – Mary Queen of Peace Assembly, Frankfort/Lebanon
