Minnesota in the Great War

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2017 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$505
Fund Source
Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund
Recipient Type
Libraries
Status
Completed
Start Date
March 2017
End Date
March 2017
Activity Type
Education/Outreach/Engagement
Counties Affected
Blue Earth
Blue Earth
Project Overview

Arn Kind has been an educator for over 35 years, both in the classroom teaching grades 4 through 12 and through his presentations to students and adults of all ages and is well known for his historical presentations.

2017 is the 100th anniversary of the America's entry into the Great War, now known as World War I. To commemorate it, Arn presents "Minnesota in the Great War," an exciting living history program that provides an entertaining and educational perspective about "The War to End All Wars." The First World War, which for America, lasted only 19 months involved more than 100,000 men from Minnesota. They served in the army, navy, Marine Corps and medical corps. Of that number more than 1,400 were killed in battle or fatally wounded. Another 2,000 died of disease; many from the flu epidemic which broke out during the war.

A very important part of Arn's presentations are the artifacts, uniforms and equipment that students will be able to observe, handle, and interact with as part of their hands-on experience in living the history.

Project Details

60 participated

Legal Citation / Subdivision
Laws of Minnesota for 2015 Chapter 2--S.F. No. 1, Article 4, Section 2, Subdivision 5
2017 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$505
Other Funds Leveraged
$90
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

In this presentation participants will learn:
?the causes of the war as well as why and how America got involved
?strategies used to win the war
?the uniform, weapons, equipment and the life of the typical Minnesota soldier or "Doughboy."
?the role women played in the war
?the new technologies that were introduced during the war. Technologies like the airplane, the submarine, the tank, and the introduction of lethal gas on the battlefield made the Great War the first "industrial war." Minnesotans found themselves on battlefields and on seas that were far more lethal than anything that had come before.
?how the end of the war would make the United States a world power, but it would plant the seeds that would lead to the Second World War.

Measurable Outcome(s)

The audience was impressed and enjoyed Arn's presentation and many stated that they had learned much from his presentation. As always, Arn provided historical information in a down-to-earth style that brought history to a personal level for many in the audience. All who attended felt the program was worthwhile and provided them with a new perspective on World War I.

Source of Additional Funds

Orness Plaza, Mankato Free Press, New Country 93, KEYC-TV, Blue Earth County Library staff

Project Manager
First Name
Ann
Last Name
Hokanson
Organization Name
Traverse des Sioux Library Cooperative
Street Address
1400 Madison Avenue, Suite 622
City
Mankato
State
MN
Zip Code
56002-5488
Phone
507-625-6169
Email
ahokanson@tds.lib.mn.us
Administered By
Administered by
Location

1500 Highway 36 West
Roseville, MN 55113-4266

Phone
651-582-8200