The first US war memorial restoration projects to win grants as part of an American WWI Centennial initiative have been announced at a press conference in Chicago.
Fifty monuments in 28 states across the US will each receive $2,000 in match-funding towards their renovation and maintenance. They’re now designated official ‘WWI Centennial Memorials’. See the full list here.
The 100 Cities/100 Memorials campaign was launched by the US World War I Centennial Commission and the Chicago-based Pritzker Military Museum & Library in 2016 to help American communities rescue memorials after years of exposure to the elements, neglect or vandalism.
The aim is not only to honour those who served, but also to raise awareness of the First World War as a crucially important event in modern US history.
“More than 4 million American families sent their sons and daughters to serve in uniform during World War I, 116,516 US soldiers died in the war and another 200,000 were wounded,” said Centennial Commissioner Terry Hamby, announcing the awards in Chicago on 27 September 2017.
“100 Cities/100 Memorials is a critically important initiative that will have an impact beyond these grants. These memorials represent an important part of remembering our past and preserving our culture.”
Submissions are now invited for the second round of grants. The 50 remaining Centennial memorial projects are due to be announced on 6 April 2018, the 101st anniversary of America’s entry into the Great War. See 100 Cities/100 Memorials for details.
Also in Centenary News:
Sculptor Sabin Howard talks about his work on the new US National World War I Memorial being created in Washington.
Information & images: US World War I Centennial Commission
Posted by: CN Editorial Team