Avon Public Library, Historical Society Host WWI Events

From Avon Free Public Library: The Avon Historical Society invites the public to view an exhibit entitled The Mechanization of Warfare – WWI outside the Marian Hunter Local History room of the Avon Free Public Library from January through February 2017 mounted in conjunction with a statewide centennial observance of the United States’ entry in to the “Great War.”

As part of the State’s observance, the Avon Historical Society and Avon Free Public Library have teamed up to mark the occasion with several events. While the theme of the exhibit focuses on air, sea and land warfare, the Society has items on loan from local residents incorporated in to the display. A special part of the exhibit will be the handwritten Honor Roll of the 69 men from Avon who served which has many longtime family names from town such as Bonesio, Eddy, Manion, O’Neil, Volovski, and Zaugg. Fortunately all came back to Avon when the War ended.

In addition, the Society is pleased to present a talk in Library’s Alsop Community Room on Saturday, February 4 at 1:00pm by Dave Drury, former editor of The Hartford Courant, who recently published his first book entitled Hartford in World War I which is a comprehensive look at how the City and the region played a significant role in the US participation in the Great War. A reception will follow where Mr. Drury will sell and sign his books. No snow date has been arranged, so watch the local media should there need to be a cancellation.

In conjunction with the Society’s exhibit, the Library will screen WWI themed movies during their Thursday 1:30pm Movie Matinee Series: January 19, 37 Days: The Story of the Final Weeks Before the Outbreak of World War I; January 26, A Farewell to Arms; February 2, Paths of Glory; February 9, The Lost Battalion; February 16, All Quiet on the Western Front.

Finally, a large collection of books about WWI will be available on the shelves in the exhibit area. Patrons are welcome to browse the exhibit, watch a movie, loan a book and explore the Great War of 100 years ago. As time goes on, more and more information becomes available about how and why this War began before the US entered it. Visiting the exhibit and attending the book talk is a great first step in exploring this event. For information on the national World War I observance, visit: www.ww1cc.org

Flyer courtesy of Avon Free Public Library, Image via Pixabay