The Conservancy and Bronxville Public Library jointly organized a special Veteran’s Day presentation on November 10th, featuring an exhibition of nine newly framed WWI Propaganda Posters belonging to the Library and a lecture by Sarah Lawrence College Professor Fred Smoler and demonstration by Conservancy Board member Jack Bierwirth.
Smoler gave an enlightening talk on the significance of WWI posters in the days when radio was still in its infancy and the U.S. government was dependent on this highly graphic mode of communication to reinforce its ideology. Bierwirth then shared with the audience the contents of his grandfather’s army trunk, which included uniforms, hats, metal helmets, a Sam Brown belt and a gas mask. Students were invited to model the memorabilia while Bierwirth explained their uses.
