One hundred years ago, on April 6, 1917, America entered World War I. The Simsbury Public Library commemorates this event with a series of programs beginning in April. "In presenting this series it is important to remember the terrible struggle of the Great War, a war that transformed the world, and to understand this fascinating era in our history," says Reference Librarian Joan Nagy.
On Thursday, April 13 at 6:30 pm, New England Air Museum Researcher Carl Stidsen will present "The Central Blue", a program that reveals how the airplane moved from a curiosity to a game changer from 1914 to1918. Lawrence Court, Head of the English Department at Westminster School in Simsbury, looks at the poetry of the Great War, focusing on the work of Wilfred Owen on Monday, April 24 at 3:00 pm.
Take your picture by a vintage World War I ambulance that will be at the Library on Saturday, April 29, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. George King and Jeff Klinger will be there in period costumes to answer your questions. Tap your feet to the beat of ragtime on Sunday, May 7 at 3:00 pm pm. Join us on Monday, May 22 at 6:30 pm for a community discussion of the classic war novel, All Quiet on the Western Front, facilitated by Carol Clark-Flanagan of the Ethel Walker School.
Come discover World War I era stories from local Connecticut newspapers with Christine Gauvreau from the Connecticut State Library on Tuesday, May 23 at 6:30 pm. As Memorial Day approaches, learn about the historical significance of the holiday itself and the stories behind the Simsbury Veterans Memorial on Wednesday, May 24 at 1:00 pm. After the lecture, everyone is invited to visit the Memorial on the Library grounds.
On Monday, March 29, you are invited to honor Simsbury's fallen heroes at the Town's 100th Memorial Day Parade in Tariffville at 9:00 am and Simsbury at 1:30 pm.
Registration is suggested for the Library programs. Register online at or contact the Library at 860-658-7663. All programs are free and open to the public. The Simsbury Public Library is located at 725 Hopmeadow St., Simsbury, CT. 06070
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