Centennial at the Grass Roots: Lost Altos [California] History Museum WWI Program

Today the Los Altos (CA) History Museum will open what appears to me to be a model WWI appreciation presentation, adaptable by communities around the country. It actually has three important elements. At the center is the photographic exhibit provide through the National Archives. Los Altos chose the "Over Here" program that examines the home front. A second program is available focusing on the action "Over There."

From "Over Here" — A Women's Committee of Food Conservation on Parade

A second dimension of the Los Altos approach is to bring in local experts to expand on the war and how things were influenced on the home front.

From "Over Here"— Men Who Have Just Registered for the Draft

The third part of the program will specifically look at how the war impacted Los Altos itself. The greatest influence came from nearby Camp Fremont, where the Army's 8th Division was training. Speaker Barbara Wilcox is the author of a book on the subject,  World War I Army Training by San Francisco Bay: The Story of Camp Fremont.

New Soldiers Training at Camp Fremont

You community can build a similar program using the the National Archives "Over There," and "Over Here" programs.  Here's contact information for you.