Observance at Camp Pike, exhibits among WWI centennial events

An observance of Camp Pike’s centennial anniversary, exhibits, lectures and a seminar are among the sanctioned activities set for September in conjunction with the World War I centennial, the state World War I Centennial Commemoration Committee announced.

A complete list of events and ongoing exhibits in the state is available online at wwiarkansas.com/calendar-events.

A day of activities is planned Sept. 16 for the observance of the centennial of Camp Pike at Camp Robinson in North Little Rock. A Camp Pike exhibit also will continue during September at the Arkansas National Guard Museum at Camp Robinson.

Camp Pike, named for Gen. Zebulon Montgomery Pike, was the forerunner to Camp Robinson, home of the Arkansas National Guard. The post, originally home of the 87th Division, served as a replacement training facility after the division deployed to France. It then was a demobilization station and home for the U.S. 3rd Infantry Division after World War I ended. The post was renamed in 1937 for the late U.S. Sen. Joseph Taylor Robinson of Arkansas.

On Sept. 12, “Faithful to Our Tasks: Arkansas Women of World War I,” a lecture by Elizabeth Griffin Hill, will be at the Mabee-Simpson Library at Lyon College in Batesville.

“The DAR and the World War I Mural at the Historic Washington County Courthouse,” a program by Cheri Coley and LaNita McKinney of the Marion Chapter-Daughters of the American Revolution, will be Sept. 20 at the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History in Springdale.

“Keep the Home Fires Burning: Arkansas and WWI,” a half-day seminar sponsored by the World War I Centennial Commemoration Committee and the Old State House Museum, will be Sept. 23 at the Old State House in Little Rock.

“Mamie Josenberger and Women Suffrage Activism in World War I,” a lecture by Cherisse Jones-Branch, will be Sept. 26 at the Maxfield Room of the Ed Commons Building at Lyon College in Batesville.

The Arkansas World War I Centennial Commemoration Committee is part of the Arkansas Department of Heritage.