[Michlib-l] Ribbon Cutting Planned for 11am on Saturday, July 30 For Chelsea District Library's Upcoming World War I Centennial Historic Display

Thu Jul 14 17:50:27 EDT 2016

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Promote Michigan <promotemichigan at gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Jul 12, 2016 at 8:06 AM
Subject: MEDIA ALERT: Ribbon Cutting Planned for 11am on Saturday, July 30
For Chelsea District Library's Upcoming World War I Centennial Historic
Display
To: Promote Michigan <promotemichigan at gmail.com>

*[image: cid:image007.png at 01D1DAAF.3CD355B0]*

** MEDIA ALERT **

*Ribbon Cutting Planned for 11am on Saturday, July 30 For Chelsea District
Library’s Upcoming *

*World War I Centennial Historic Display: Strong Foundations, New
Possibilities*

*WHAT:*

As part of a continuing effort to chronicle Chelsea’s history, the Chelsea
District Library <http://www.chelseadistrictlibrary.org> presents *World
War I Centennial: Strong Foundations, New Possibilities*, commemorating the
centennial anniversary of WWI.

The library has created and produced several community events focused on
art and culture including WWI-era photographs, letters, stories and
artifacts from local residents. The collection culminates with the
installation of two dozen 36-inch x 18-inch avenue banners hung on light
posts lining Main Street, as well as twelve large-format images (ranging in
size from 55-inch x 91-inch to 167-inch x 96-inch) placed on 11 community
buildings.

The 36 images chosen to be reproduced and displayed were among hundreds
submitted by Chelsea residents who have shared histories from the Great
War. This includes the only-known remaining photo of Herbert J. McKune, a
local Chelsea soldier who died on October 4, 1918 during the Battle of
Champlain in France. This photo is permanently on display at the Chelsea
American Legion Post #31, which was named in his honor. A reproduction of
this image will be featured on a banner gracing the library’s front steps.

*PHOTO & VIDEO OPS: Installation of banners and large-format images will
begin July 11 and will take approximately two weeks to complete, weather
permitting. *

All images selected to be displayed are being added to this Facebook album
<https://www.facebook.com/ChelseaDistrictLibrary/photos/?tab=album&album_id=10153752523857993>
throughout the month of July.

*WHO:*

The original concept for this project came from Deborah Greer, co-director
of Chelsea River Gallery <http://www.chelsearivergallery.com/>, who was
moved by a 2013 PBS documentary about artist Marian Marzynski titled
‘Before I Was Anybody, I Was a Child Survivor of the Holocaust’. It
featured large-scale outdoor banners with images of child Holocaust
survivors from Warsaw. Inspired to bring the presentation concept to her
community, Deborah shared her ideas with the library staff when they were
looking for a way to mark the 100th anniversary of the Great War.
Recognizing the available canvases in the form of towering historic
buildings, which could display a series of larger-than-life images, the
concept for *Strong Foundations, New Possibilities* was born.

*WHEN:           *

Ribbon cutting: Saturday, July 30, 2016 (11-11:30am) featuring a welcome by
Mayor Jason Lindauer, comments from the centennial committee and a musical
rendition of “In Flanders Field”
<http://www.greatwar.co.uk/poems/john-mccrae-in-flanders-fields.htm>* – a war
poem written during WWI by Canadian physician, Lieutenant-Colonel John
McCrae.

****This is one of the most popular and most quoted poems from the war and
its references to the red poppies that grew over the graves of fallen
soldiers resulted in the remembrance poppy becoming one of the world's most
recognized memorial symbols for soldiers who have died in
conflict. Volunteers from the Chelsea VFW Post & Auxiliary 4076 will be on
hand to take donations for their Buddy Poppy Program during the event. *

Docents will host free guided tours of the historic installations from Noon
until 2pm, following the ribbon cutting ceremony. Space is limited to 25
people per trip, and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The
south side tour includes bus transportation to the start of the walking
tour, while the north side tour will begin at the library steps. The
Chelsea Historical Society will also be giving tours of Chelsea’s Historic
Oak Grove Cemetery, pointing out gravesites for local area WWI veterans,
including some featured on the banners.

*Strong Foundations, New Possibilities* is held in conjunction with the
city’s annual Sounds & Sights Festival, and will be on display through
Veteran’s Day, November 11.

*WHERE:         *

The ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at the Chelsea District
Library, 221 South Main Street, followed by free guided tours throughout
town.

Maps for self-guided tours will be available free for those who wish to
explore the exhibit on their own. Private guided group tours can be made
during the 5-month exhibit, with prior arrangement.

Artifacts will also be on display inside the Chelsea District Library
through November 11, including a helmet, binoculars, sword, riffle, medals,
journal, uniform and more.

*WHY:*

More than 100 years ago, America was gripped in the midst of World War I
(July 28, 1914 – November 11, 1918). It affected U.S. troops overseas and
families back home in communities across the country, including those in
the southeast Michigan town of Chelsea, in Washtenaw County. *Strong
Foundations New Possibilities* is a chance for this community to share its
stories.

*EVENTS:        *

*Wednesday, August 10 (6:30-8pm) — McKune Room @ Chelsea District Library  *

*General John J. Pershing’s Hello Girls:* *When the U.S. entered WWI in
1917, General John “Black Jack” Pershing insisted on bilingual phone
operators near the front and the “Hello Girls” were formed, enlisting
support from Bell Telephone. During this historical interpretation,
Lois Sprengnether Keel portrays Oleda Joure, a 16-year-old Marine City,
Michigan (103 miles northeast of Chelsea) teenager who received special
permission to enlist. In uniform and with music, Lois will tell the story
of how pre-war, Oleda and her brother were weekend musicians. When she
arrived in England and was asked to entertain the troops like her brother,
she had to refuse due to her Oath and risk of court-martial. After the war,
the Girls learned the army considered them contractors, not deserving
benefits. They did not receive recognition until 1977. Learn about this
group of heroic women of southeastern Michigan, including their only death
abroad. For more on Oleda’s unique story, click **here*
<http://www.worldwar1.com/dbc/hello.htm>*. **Registration Required.*

*HOW:              *

*Strong Foundations New Possibilities* is m*ade possible in part by a grant
from the *Michigan Humanities Council <http://www.michiganhumanities.org/>*,
an affiliate of the *National Endowment for the Humanities
<http://www.neh.gov/>* as well as the *Chelsea Chamber of Commerce
<http://www.chelseamichamber.org>* Tourism Action Plan Program (CTAP)*,
through Washtenaw County Convention and Visitors Bureau
<https://www.visitannarbor.org/>.

*MEDIA:*

Download the official media kit for *Strong Foundations New Possibilities*
here
<http://promotemichigan.com/chelsea-unveil-world-war-centennial-strong-foundations-new-possibilities>
.

*PHOTOS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST*

Link to this Media Alert online:

Ribbon Cutting Planned for 11am on Saturday, July 30 For Chelsea District
Library's Upcoming World War I Centennial Historic Display

http://promotemichigan.com/ribbon-cutting-planned-11am-saturday-july-30-chelsea-district-librarys-upcoming-world-war-centennial-historic-display

*CONTACT:*

Keegan Sulecki, Head of Adult Services at Chelsea District Library

734-475-8732 x 218 | ksulecki at chelseadistrictlibrary.org

[image:
http://www.michiganhumanities.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/MHCportraitColorRGB.jpg]
[image: cid:image009.png at 01D1DAAF.3CD355B0]

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-- 
Keegan Sulecki
Head of Adult Services
Chelsea District Library
221 S. Main St. Chelsea, MI 48118
734.475.8732 ext. 218
chelseadistrictlibrary.org
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