World War I Community Archives Project

FAIN: PY-253109-17

Massillon Museum (Massillon, OH 44646-6633)
Heather Jean Haden (Project Director: May 2016 to April 2018)

A digitization event, co-sponsored by the Massillon Museum and the Massillon Public Library in Ohio, to document stories about the community’s wartime involvement in the First World War and help the families preserve heritage materials and maintain digital archives, which chronicle their relatives’ role in the war both at home and abroad. Building on extensive experience digitizing photographs and other cultural items and organizing exhibitions centered on digitized materials, the applicant would exhibit collected heritage items and arrange related programming such as school tours, gallery talks, and a panel discussion with scholars and community members regarding the region’s engagement in WWI.

To prepare for an exhibition aligned with the centennial of the US involvement in World War I, as well as to engage the community, county-wide, the Massillon Museum plans to facilitate a digitization event augmented by related programming. The community repositories of social, industrial and military histories can be further mined for important documentation that will not only elucidate existing narratives, but create new links with fresh and relevant perspectives connecting history to our current realities. Museum professionals will work with local experts to execute the digitization efforts and public programs, in which patrons and citizens can share their stories and voices to recognize the wartime involvement of men, women, and families of Stark County residents.  As a publicly funded institution, the Massillon Museum honors its responsibility to commemorate community members who fought in WWI, and to share best practices for preserving both oral histories and material culture.

Associated Products

Massillon in the Great War: Voices form the Archives (Film/TV/Video Broadcast or Recording)
Title: Massillon in the Great War: Voices form the Archives
Writer: Mandy Altimus (Stahl)
Director: Mandy Altimus (Stahl)
Producer: Massillon Museum
Abstract: a 30 minute documentary film based on letters, photographs and oral histories within the Massillon Museum's collections. Produced in conjunction with the exhibit "Stark County in the Great War," on view June 10 - November 12, 2017 at the Massillon Museum.
Year: 2017
Primary URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hf8vLekdFtg
Primary URL Description: Massillon Musuem Youtube Channel
Access Model: open access
Format: Film
Format: Video
Format: DVD
Format: Digital File
Format: Web

Prizes

Gold Award, Visual Communications
Date: 3/20/2018
Organization: Ohio Museums Association
Abstract: The Visual Communication Competition recognizes creative excellence in Ohio museums by its field professionals and organizations producing material for museums. Articles for submission can include, but are not limited to: Annual Reports, Audio-Visual/Electronic Media, Books, Brochures, Catalogs, Campaigns, Education Materials, Fundraising Materials, Institutional Identity, Invitations/Announcements, Newsletters/Magazines, Posters and Press Packs.

Stark County in the Great War: Community Archives Day Reference Resource (Catalog)
Title: Stark County in the Great War: Community Archives Day Reference Resource
Author: Massillon Museum
Abstract: A reference resource for all items shared through Massillon Museum's Community Archives Day event. Items in this resource are privately held collections from the community that have been digitized for preservation and research in and outside the community.
Year: 2017
Primary URL Description: This resource is not yet available online. A copy has been forwarded to our grant officer.
Catalog Type: Other
Publisher: Massillon Museum

Stark County in the Great War (Exhibition)
Title: Stark County in the Great War
Curator: Heather Haden
Abstract: An exhibit focusing on the various ways in which the Great War impacted Stark County. Ohio. Through the exhibition of items in the Massillon Museum's collection as well as those items on loan from the Community Archives Day event, the exhibit personalizes the history of the period and the impact of the war both on the home front and for soldiers.
Year: 2017
Primary URL: http://www.massillonmuseum.org/worldwari
Primary URL Description: This website features the online collection materials related to the Stark in the Great war exhibit. These online collections are supplemental to the items that were on display.

Brown Bag Lunch: “Women in World War I” (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Brown Bag Lunch: “Women in World War I”
Abstract: Dr. Leslie Heaphy, Associate History Professor, Kent State University, talks about the role of women during the Great War.
Author: Dr. Leslie Heaphy
Date: 7/25/17
Location: Massillon Museum
Primary URL: http://www.massillonmuseum.org/worldwari
Primary URL Description: Please see Previous Related Events at the bottom of the page for related programming dates, topics and locations.

History Happy Hour (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: History Happy Hour
Abstract: Social time and a half-hour presentation about memories and war. A program geared toward attracting young professionals in the community as well as college-aged participants interested in history during the Great War era.
Author: Dr. Molly Sergi, History
Date: 9/6/17
Location: Massillon Museum
Primary URL: http://www.massillonmuseum.org/worldwari
Primary URL Description: Masillon Museum's website of past exhibits and events.

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