Buffalo Never Fails: The Queen City and World War I
About The Event
Buffalo Never Fails: The Queen City and World War I commemorates the 100th anniversary of the United States entering what came to be known as “The Great War” - a critical time that left a major legacy in Buffalo, the United States, and the world.
This free public exhibition explores Buffalo, its people and the region’s contributions to the war effort during a globally turbulent period. Central to the exhibition is the Library’s extraordinary collection of stunning World War I posters, which were donated in 1919 by prominent Buffalonian Edward Michael. The collection includes posters from the United States, Canada, and Europe, representing some of the finest examples of graphically designed war propaganda encouraging military enlistment and appealing directly to citizens to back the war effort, buy bonds, conserve food and support the Red Cross. Colorful images on posters were a very effective means to provide information, inspire patriotism and motivate the public to support WWI.
Also on display are original materials about the sinking of the RMS Lusitania ocean liner, which took the life of Elbert Hubbard, writer and founder of East Aurora’s (NY) Roycroft community; local innovations and industrial mobilization that significantly contributed to both the victory and devastation of this first truly mechanized war; a war diary by a local soldier; pamphlets on a variety of wartime topics; the souvenir program of the April 1919 “Welcome to Our Boys” celebration and much more. Buffalo was very different from the city as we know today, and the stories of sacrifice, honor, glory and grief unfold in the exhibit.
Contact : mosherl@buffalolib.org
Category: Museums and Exhibitions
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