Nevada State Museum exhibit features World War I technology

CARSON CITY – When American troops hit the battlefields of Europe 100 years ago, they had to learn how to fight a new kind of war.

This howitzer, which belongs to the Nevada National Guard, is part of a one-day exhibit, “Geared for the Great War,” at the Nevada State Museum Carson City on Saturday, July 14. Photo provided by Nevada State Museum.

From trench warfare to technical advances in weaponry, this was much different fighting than Americans had experienced before.

On Saturday, July 14, visitors to the Nevada State Museum can get an up-close look at what was then state-of-the-art technology as the museum presents “Geared for the Great War,” a one-day exhibit in the Dema Guinn Concourse of the Nevada State Museum, 600 N. Carson St., in Carson City.

The exhibit – which includes a German howitzer, a rare full-sized flight suit and numerous other artifacts provided by the Nevada National Guard and Gary Cain of Westwall Militaria – will be going between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

The exhibit in the concourse is open to the public for free.

Inside the museum, which requires regular admission, is the museum’s exhibit, “Remembering the Great War: One Hundred Years Later,” in the South Gallery. The exhibit is comprised of World War I artifacts and more than 30 powerful images taken by the Photographic Section of the French Army during the war. The photos show American soldiers preparing for the fight in Europe; scenes inside the trenches, first-aid operations and much more.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to make paper poppies as part of the museum’s “Poppy Project” – all part of the museum’s commemoration of the 100^th anniversary of the end of World War I. The poppies will be part of a special celebration on Nov. 10 at the museum.

The museum opens at 8:30 a.m. Admissions is $8 for adults; free for museum members and children 17 and younger.

IF YOU GO

What: “Geared for the Great War,” an exhibition of state-of-the-art World War I technology.

When: 10 a.m. to 3 pm., Saturday, July 14. (Museum doors open at 8:30 a.m.)

Where: Nevada State Museum, 600 N. Carson St., Carson City

Details: Contact Education Curator Mina Stafford at mstafford@nevadaculture.org