Fordyce to host WWI exhibit

Hot Springs National Park will host “The Great War: Arkansas in World War I,” a free traveling exhibit that tells the story of the state’s role during the “war to end all wars” at home and on the battlefields, beginning next week.

The exhibit will be displayed at the Fordyce Bath House, located on Bathhouse Row at 369 Central Ave., from Feb. 22 to March 11. The Fordyce is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

The traveling exhibit consists of 12 panels that showcase images from the Arkansas State Archives’ holdings, including original documents, photographs, posters, maps, and historical objects, giving a firsthand look at the lives of Arkansans during the war, Hot Springs National Park said in a news release.

The exhibit covers the chronology of the war, as well as various facets of the conflict, such as training troops in Arkansas, actions overseas, the home front, providing for the war, health care, and Arkansas heroes, the release said.

“As a veteran I’m honored to host this exhibit and provide our community an opportunity to

learn more about our state’s contributions during the Great War,” Josie Fernandez, Hot Springs National Park superintendent, said in the release. Fernandez is a retired U.S. Air Force colonel.

“World War I was also known as the ‘war to end all wars,’ sadly we know that hopeful wish did not materialize and many more people have gone on to don our nation’s military uniform in defense of our way of life. I invite all my fellow Americans and in particular all our dedicated veterans in our community to stop by to learn and pay tribute to the heroes of that global conflict,” she said.

Julienne Crawford, the Arkansas State Archives’ curator, reached out to the national park to host the exhibit and was pleased about their interest, the release said.

“I am very happy that Hot Springs National Park is sharing The Great War: Arkansas in World War I with their visitors and community,” Crawford said in the release.

The exhibit, created to commemorate the centennial anniversary of America’s entry into World War I, “powerfully memorializes the impact this first modern, global war had on the 65 million who were mobilized including the 70,000 soldiers from Arkansas,” it said.

This exhibit is funded in part by a grant from the Arkansas Humanities Council, the Department of Arkansas Heritage and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Submitted photo EBERTS FIELD: A pilot with a microphone receiving helmet and power generated radio telephone at Eberts Field near Lonoke, circa 1918. Established in 1917, Eberts Field was one of the leading training centers for aviators during World War I. Image from the collections of the Arkansas State Archives.

Submitted photo RED CROSS: An American Red Cross nursing class in Leslie, circa 1918. The Red Cross was instrumental in providing health care and supplies to soldiers and civilians during World War I. Image from the collections of the Arkansas State Archives.