Honoring History
The Peters Township Public Library pays tribute to the United States ’ entrance into WWI .
By Nicole Tafe
Countries around the world have been honoring the past , as millions remember the First World War in various ways during its 100th anniversary year . Peters Township Public Library will be doing its part to acknowledge and honor the United States ’ entry into the world-changing event by hosting the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History ’ s “ World War I and America ” exhibit in August .
“ World War I and America ” is a two-year initiative of the Library of America and is presented in partnership with the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History , the National World War I Museum and Memorial , and several other organizations , with generous support from The National Endowment for the Humanities .
Grants were awarded to 120 organizations across the country . The grant value is $ 1,800 and designed to cover two to three public programs that explore WWI and its resonance today . Peters Township Library was additionally awarded a traveling exhibit , created by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History that will be on display in the library ’ s lobby for three weeks in August . Approximately 40 sites received a full grant award , while the remaining received awards valued at $ 1,200 . With only five sites participating in this project across Pennsylvania , the Peters Township Public Library is one of only three sites in the state to receive the exhibition .
The grant was written and applied for by 17-year Peters Township employee Margaret Deitzer . Deitzer and her husband have resided in Peters Township for 24 years . She is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University with a B . A . in Political Science and holds a master ’ s degree in Library Science from the University of Pittsburgh . “ I first learned about the grant when Stephanie Townrow of the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History sent me an email in early May 2016 ,” says Deitzer , who then approached Library Director Myra Oleynik for permission to apply . Deitzer soon set to work with the assistance of George Dvorznak , Todd DePastino , the Veterans Breakfast Club and representatives from McMurray VFW Memorial Park Post 764 .
Deitzer learned that the award and exhibition had been granted to the Peters Township Public Library in August of last year . “ As grant recipients , we received a ‘ World War
April 2 , 1917 : President Woodrow Wilson asks Congress to declare war on Germany . Image courtesy of the Library of Congress .
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