The Great War:

Otis Library in Norwich is preparing to launch a series of programs on World War I.

Norwich — The experiences of a World War I Red Cross doctor will come to life Monday during a multimedia presentation at Otis Library in the first of a series of programs commemorating the 100th anniversary of the end of the war.

In April 1918, without her family’s approval, Dr. Jessie Weston Fisher left her home, husband and son in Connecticut to do her part for her nation’s effort in the First World War. She traveled to France, where she worked for the American Red Cross in a hospital at Beauvais, in Picardy. During her time abroad Fisher kept two diaries, documenting her part in one of the most historically significant events of the 20th century.

“Over There: The World War I Diaries of Dr. Jessie Weston Fisher,” a program that includes narrative commentary, period images and dramatic readings from Fisher’s diaries, will be presented at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 10, in the Otis Library community room, 261 Main St., Norwich. The program is free and open to the public and is sponsored by the Norwich city historian and the Norwich World War I Memorial Committee.

Historians Beverly York and Rick Spencer are the presenters.

It is the first in a series of World War I programs, which will include a talk on African-Americans in World War I at 6 p.m. Sept. 17 and a program on Polish-Americans and the war at 6 p.m. Sept. 24.

On Oct. 1, the 6 p.m. program “Beyond the Lost Generation: Literature and the Great War,” will examine the impact of the war on writers C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien and many others, presented by Faye Ringel.

The series will conclude with a showing at 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 5, of “Sergeant Stubby” an animated feature film about the mascot of the 26th Division, the “Yankee Division.”

For information, contact city Historian Dale Plummer at cityhistorian@norwichct.org.