NEWBURGH – A hundred years has passed since the World War I. So many wars and conflicts have been fought and continue to be during that time-frame that much of the war efforts both the fighting by soldiers and the massive support by citizens on stateside have been tucked away in scrapbooks and closets. But efforts are being made to open the books and storage areas especially with the centennial of the battles to break the Hindenburg Line (September 29) and Armistice (November 11) quickly approaching.
Photographs depicting these extraordinary moments have been collected by the Historical Society of Newburgh Bay and the Highlands and are being shared this summer through the end of the year in the tall glass vitrine display cases at Kaplan Hall at SUNY Orange in an exhibit entitled The World War I Home Front – How Newburgh Supported the Colors.
National Guard Companies Company E and L from Newburgh and I from Middletown numbering 2600 all folded into the 107th Infantry Regiment of New York’s 27th Division.
According to Newburgh City Historian Mary McTamaney, “In addition to raising millions in war bond campaigns, “Newburghers” manned canteens that served the hundreds of troop trains passing through on the West Shore Railroad. They knitted thousands of socks and sweaters and scarves and sent care packages to soldiers on the front. Churches and clubs hosted dinners for soldiers who, on their way to Europe, stayed overnight at the YMCA and YWCA.
The city’s small Red Cross chapter grew to over 12,000 active members within a few months in 1917. Every local soldier who departed for basic training was accompanied by family, neighbors, and often hundreds of other citizens who walked with them to the train to wish them Godspeed.”
Visitors may view the exhibit in July, Monday through Thursday 8am to 5pm and August 1-25 Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm; then, August 27 through December 14 Monday through Thursday 8am to 9pm and on Fridays 8am to 6pm.
Kaplan Hall is located at the corner of Grand and First Streets on the Newburgh campus of SUNY Orange. Free, secure parking is available in the parking garage entered at 73 First St. Questions may be directed to Cultural Affairs at (845)341-4891/9386 or cultural@sunyorange.edu
Information is available through the website at www.sunyorange.edu/culturalaffairs
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