Exhibit a lesson in city life and history during World War I

The train ride last Wednesday, from Thomaston to Torrington, followed a sandwich-and-soda lunch in the spiffed-up Thomaston railroad station. Lunch was the first phase of a well-planned and carried out day for some 55 riders/ticket buyers.

The Torrington Historical Society and the Northwestern Chamber of Commerce Education Fund were the sponsors. The day went this way: People parked in the depot lot, enjoyed the pulled pork on hamburger buns, climbed aboard and rode the train to T-town, which took them to the place where the Torrington train depot once stood, near Christmas Village.

Disembarking, passengers walked down Church and up Main to the Torrington Historical Society, where they browsed and took the tour of the World War I exhibit. It features Torrington’s contributions to the war effort in terms of both men and women in uniform and those who toiled to win the war on the home front.

Passengers then retraced their steps to the waiting train and rode back to Thomaston to reclaim their cars. None were disappointed, agreeing it had been a fruitful and satisfying day.

In the very clean and well-appointed depot, the workers were tricked out in the black and white outfits of original trainmen. And on the very clean and wellappointed railroad car, the engineer and conductor were also properly dressed. It was like old times. The ride was fine and woodsy. The conductor came through the double car punching tickets, and as it neared its destination, he came through again, calling out, “Torrington next ... Torrington.’’ Like old times.

I did not accompany the other passengers on the walk to the exhibit (prior engagement), but went to THS Friday morning to take the tour, which is set up in the Carriage House behind the main building. I love history, and what I learned in 80 minutes was an education of the highest kind. This exhibit brings “the war to end all wars” right to our doorstep and illustrates some of the things our fathers and grandfathers used to talk about, “When Johnny came marching home.’’

Did you know that some 1,400 Torrington men served, most in the 26th Yankee Division; 50 killed in the war, 116 wounded, three missing and two captured. On one wall hangs a large sheet, enlarged and copied from the Torrington Register, listing the name of every man and woman who served.

Executive Director Mark McEachern said curator Gail Kruppa did most of the work putting the exhibit together, and Gail was there Friday to answer questions.

One of the first things one sees when he enters the exhibit is a picture of Paul Maynard. Maynard was killed on the last day of the active war which ended on Nov. 11, 1918, at 11 o’clock, famously known forever after as 11-11-11.

I took down many notes and wish I could use them all, but space doesn’t permit it. So you pick and choose; besides, if I listed everything, it might spoil it for folks who haven’t seen it yet.

But the attention paid to the home front is among the most interesting aspects of the exhibit. When World War II followed, practically on the heels of WWI, Rosie the Riveter became the symbol of the thousands (millions?) of American women who worked in factories and other defense jobs, building the tools and weapons of war while their men went off to fight that war.

The THS exhibit demonstrates that their mothers and aunts and neighbors did the same thing. Have you ever heard of Bloomerals? I hadn’t, but now I’ve seen a pair on a mannequin at the exhibit. Gail said, “That was what women wore when they went to work in the factories.’’

A nearby photo shows Fidela Ghidossi in her factory uniform (bloomeralls) and the lunchbox of her husband, Alexander. It can best be described as a small black box. He worked at Hendey’s. The Ghidossis lived on Chestnut Avenue.

Time’s up. Hardly a taste, I know, but I hope you’ll take in this wonderful exhibit. I’m going back, probably a couple of times. I’m hooked.

The 100-year anniversary of the armistice is Nov. 11.