Minnesota Historical Society Honored with National Award for New Exhibit on 'WW1 America’
National Endowment for the Humanities grants $600,000 for exhibit which opens Spring 2017 on the 100th anniversary of America’s entry into WWI

The World War I era—1914 to 1919—was a transformational time for America. The nation emerged as a confident global superpower while deep divisions and conflict at home threatened to tear the nation apart.

The Minnesota Historical Society, in partnership with the National Constitution Center, the National World War I Museum, the Oakland Museum of California and the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum is developing a major traveling exhibit documenting this pivotal time called “WW1 America.”

In recognition and support of this effort the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) announced today, Aug. 9, 2016, a Chairman's Special Award and a grant of $600,000 for exhibit implementation. Karen Mittelman, director of public programs at NEH, said the grant size is "the largest grant made to anyone or any organization in this round, and that's in recognition of how really exceptional we thought the project was."

Timed to open on the 100th anniversary of America’s entry into what was already being called the “Great War,” the new exhibit will present original artifacts, voices, music, interactives, and multimedia presentations that tell the extraordinary stories of Americans--both the legendary and the unsung--who made history in this turbulent era.

After its opening run at the Minnesota History Center, April 8 - Sept. 4, 2017, “WW1 America” will begin a three-year tour to premier historical museums around the country.

A website and public and educational programs will be offered in conjunction with the exhibit. Beginning in September 2016, the public will be invited to give feedback on the position of key American figures in a large mural being painted at the History Center that is based loosely on the vast Pantheon de la Guerre mural at the Liberty Memorial in Kansas City. The History Center mural will be painted through the run of the exhibit.

Additional content advisers include active-duty military and veterans, including the American Legion and the Disabled American Veterans, organizations that are direct legacies of the American experience in World War I.

About the Minnesota Historical Society
The Minnesota Historical Society is a non-profit educational and cultural institution established in 1849. MNHS collects, preserves and tells the story of Minnesota’s past through museum exhibits, libraries and collections, historic sites, educational programs and book publishing. Using the power of history to transform lives, MNHS preserves our past, shares our state’s stories and connects people with history. Visit us at mnhs.org.

The Minnesota Historical Society is supported in part by its Premier Partners: Xcel Energy and Explore Minnesota Tourism.

Media contacts:
Jessica Kohen, Marketing and Communications, jessica.kohen@mnhs.org, 651-259-3148
Lauren Peck, Marketing and Communications, lauren.peck@mnhs.org, 651-259-3137