Have you heard Indiana is having a birthday? We became a state in 1816. This makes us 200 years old in 2016!

The Fort Wayne History Center is helping to celebrate Indiana's Bicentennial with a new exhibit from the Indiana Historical Society (IHS).

 

It is a traveling exhibit that focuses on WWI. The IHS has collected a series of text panels that allows visitors to take a narrative walk through Indiana's involvement in WWI. The display called The Great War: From Ration Lines to the Front Lines runs February 1 - February 29. 

I became more interested in WWI after watching Downton Abbey. Of course, that took place in England.

Through this display, we can learn about the contributions made by the US during the First World War and in particular that of thousands of Hoosiers. The exhibit explores America's entrance into the war, Indiana's participation in and contributions to the war effort, the role of Hoosier women at home and abroad and Germans in Indiana.

The History Center is supplementing the exhibit with local artifacts about WWI that may not be seen often, including gas masks and a helmet.

 

 
The History Center is also working with the State Bicentennial event with its ‘200 at 200' display. Throughout the year, the staff will display 200 stories through 200 objects. In February, there will be a display of Fort Wayne's frontier history. A future display will revolve around Fort Wayne's military history.
 
Find out more information about Indiana's Bicentennial and celebration events around town, on Visit Fort Wayne's Bicentennial Page.

There is no extra cost to see The Great War exhibit.
Regular admission to the museum:
$6 adults
$4 (ages 17 under; seniors)

To learn more about the IHS and its programs, call (317) 232-1882 or visit www.indianahistory.org.

History Center
302 East Berry Street

*Soldier with Boy credit line: Bass Photo Co. Collection, Indiana Historical Society.