Texas WWI Centennial Commemoration
2018 Planning Conferenece
The Texas World War I Centennial Commemoration Association (TXWWICCA) will host their 2018 Planning & Coordination Conference on March 2, 2018, in Austin. The conference will provide information, resources, and coordination for Texans interested in orchestrating WWI commemoration activities for their communities and organizations.
The March conference is co-sponsored by the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) and will be held at the Stephen F. Austin Building auditorium, located at 1700 North Congress Avenue in Austin. The day-long program will focus on helping organizations orchestrate events that will take place in 2018 through June 2019 when the National WWI Centennial period ends. The conference is free and open to the public, but advance registration will be required. Conference registration is available online beginning February 8, 2018, and will close February 27 or when auditorium capacity has been reached.
World War I had an enduring impact on Texas. Over 198,000 Texans from every race, ethnicity, and gender served in the Great War; 5,171 lost their lives. It was a time of great change in technology, culture, and society. Texas was a center for military logistics and training, as well as a key supplier of war materials (oil, cotton, livestock, lumber, etc.).
“Our purpose is to provide information, resources, and coordination for Texans interested in orchestrating WWI commemoration activities in their communities and organizations,” said Jim Hodgson, a Director with the TXWWICCA. “We’ve partnered with universities, museums, schools, civic groups, military units, and many others since 2016 on previous Texas WWI Centennial events.”
The conference agenda will include updates on existing Centennial initiatives around the state and ideas for “off-the-shelf” commemoration activities that can be easily adopted. Organizations and communities who have not yet identified a Centennial commemoration event will be able to identify commemoration activities that best suit their constituency.
“With TVC co-sponsorship, we will also emphasize the role veteran organizations can play,” Hodgson said. “Veteran’s issues from WWI remain relevant 100 years later…we believe that WWI Centennial commemorations provide a natural opportunity for veterans to connect with their communities, schools, and local governments.”
The online registration provides detailed information on the agenda, parking, and cafeteria services for the event. Contact the TXWWICCA at WWICC.TX@gmail.com if experiencing any difficulty registering.
CLICK HERE for Conference Information and Registration.
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Telling the story of Texas and Texans in the Great War to school students is a top priority for the World War I Centennial. Veteran’s Day 2017 is the perfect opportunity to make the connection. TSHA supports the Texas World War I Centennial Commemoration (TXWWICC) Association's fall 2017 outreach initiative, 100 Years / 100 Schools, with a goal to partner with at least 100 schools as part of organized Veterans Day programs to create awareness of the 100th anniversary of WWI, see PRESS RELEASE.
Through TeachingTexas.org, TSHA has assembled some resources for teaching WWI and especially its connection to Veterans Day. These include the resources of TXWWICC Google Drive among many others.
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The Texas State Library and Archives Commission marks the 100th Anniversary of the “Great War,” with its latest exhibit: “Texans Take to the Trenches.” The collection of photographs, documents, and dispatches commemorate the Texans who responded to Uncle Sam’s “I Want You” rally cry and showcases the individual experiences of Texans dealing with the war both at home and abroad.
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The Texas Historical Commission has a variety of resources at your disposal that covers a broad range of media from online, print, social media, and mobile resources. Check out their site by clicking on either logo above or use these links.
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The Texas WWI Centennial Commemoration Association website has a host of resources to help you including a calendar of events around the State.
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The Texas Military Forces Museum is your primary resource for all things related to the Texas National Guard and in particular the 36th Division. They house many WWI artifacts and is free to the public. It is located at Camp Mabry in Austin.
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This is the National Commission Site and the "Big Daddy" of resources but not specific to Texas. Excellent growing collection of resources.
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No Man’s Land: East Texas African Americans in World War I is a multimedia project—traveling exhibition and (eventually) online research tool—that draws attention to the First World War experiences of East Texan African Americans. Created initially to commemorate the centennial of World War I, it will document the thousands of black Texan men who served as commissioned and non-commissioned officers, infantrymen, cavalrymen, military policemen, mechanics, doctors, dentists, veterinary assistants, lumbermen, chauffeurs, laborers and stevedores, and in a variety of other roles.
It also seeks to tell the stories African Americans on the home front.
This is a great starting place to learn about Texas African Americans and their WWI experience.
CLICK HERE to visit the site.
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Limited Edition Coin AvailableThese coins feature the Texas WWI Commemoration logo on one side and a representation of the WWI victory medal on the back. They are about the size of a silver dollar. We had a limited number of these coins produced and want to offer them to you while supplies last.
1 to 10 = $5.00 ea.
19 to 20 = $4.50 ea.
20+ = $4.00 ea.
(Shipping not included.)
There are less than 200 of these coins remaining. They make a great gift for volunteers, sponsors, or supporters.
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