WWI Road Show Coming To Morris County

WHIPPANY, NJ — The World War I Road Show is making its way to Morris County this Saturday, with a free event featuring WWI experts and reenactors.

Experts from the New Jersey State Archives and the Morris County Archives will be on hand to teach locals about their WWII-related objects, including manuscripts, photographs, textiles, and other memorabilia. They'll share tips on how to care for the 100-year old items.

Historians and reenactors will also be there, giving children the chance to experience a 1917 schoolroom.

“Morris County is honored to be the host county for such an impressive and exciting statewide event, which honors those who served in World War I,’’ said Morris County Freeholder Director Doug Cabana. “We remember today the great sacrifices made 100 years ago in the name of freedom by families from across Morris County and our state and nation.’’

There will be two sessions to have memorabilia examined: between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., and again from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Firearms, ammunition and live artillery shells are strictly prohibited.

Historians will give presentations on a variety of topics:

• Life in the Trenches by John Torkos, past president of the Great War Association, reenactor, and collector of militaria. He also will help identify military collectibles.
• Teaching World War I History by West Morris Mendham High School history teacher Steve Santucci.
• Animals of the Great War, presented by Joan Schiable, Morris County Park Commission.
• Picatinny Arsenal During the Great War will be presented by Picatinny Arsenal historians and through a series of historical panels.
• Other programs include World War I- era food, dress, and daily life for civilians.

The event takes place thus Saturday, Oct. 14 at the Morris County Library in Whippany.

William J. Hocking of Wharton (left): American Legion Post 91 in Wharton is named for William J Hocking. Private Hocking was killed in action on November 1, 1918, in Germany. He was laid to rest on September 22, 1921, in the Orchard Street Cemetery in Dover. Photo credit: New Jersey State Archives

Nurse Amabel Scharff Roberts of Madison (right): The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post in Madison was named for Nurse Roberts. The Post has since merged with Post 3401 in Morris Plains. Nurse Roberts died at Base Hospital No.2 in Etretat, France. She was the first resident of Madison to lose her life in the Great War. Photo credit: Columbia University War Memorial