The U.S. World War I Centennial Commission and the Pritzker Military Museum and Library have announced a new program to help people across the country restore and preserve local World War I memorials.
“100 CITIES/100 MEMORIALS” is a fund-matching program, where groups or individuals can A) identify local sites in their area, B) create a simple plan for helping to restore the site, C) submit their plan for consideration for matching grant funds, D) restore the site, with communication help & possible matching funds.
A WWI Memorial in Berrien County, Georgia. Photo by Michael Rivera.
The details of the program, including guidelines and online application form, can be found on the website www.ww1cc.org/100Memorials
The program is designed to foster a sense of heritage in local communities, to recognize local stories & people who were involved in the war, and create a way for community members to participate in the national World War I Centennial.
Kenneth Clarke, President and CEO of the Pritzker Military Museum & Library stated, “The words ‘Lest We Forget’ appear on World War I memorials across the nation. Sadly, however, many of these memorials are in need of repair and restoration, in this, their centennial year.”
The 100 CITIES/100 MEMORIALS program is particularly well-suited for community-service projects hosted by school groups, scout troops, veteran group posts, historical/cultural organizations, church groups, local sports teams, and others.
Dan Dayton, Executive Director of the Centennial Commission, commented
“Doughboys came from every town and village in the US. This program gives the Commission a way to say thank you in a very tangible way.”
The sponsor organizations have teamed with the World War I Memorial Inventory Project, a nationwide database of sites across the country, to help identify where monuments are located, and what condition they are in.
Some of the 100 CITIES/100 MEMORIALS program specifics include the following:
- All submitted projects are given communication resources, to help participants to publicize their work, post imagery to social media, and to tell their own stories.
- There will also be webinars & videos provided on the website to help with ‘How To Properly Provide Restoration”, and “How To Create a Project Plan”.
- All sizes and scope of projects can be considered for this program’s matching funds. However, the amount of matching funds available per project is currently limited to $2,000.
- In November, 2016, one hundred of the submitted projects will be jury-selected to receive matching funds.
- To qualify for a matching grant, a project needs to be submitted by November 11, 2016. It needs to be located in the 50 states and US territories, and it either should have been completed since January 1, 2014 or will be completed by November 11, 1918.
This fund-matching program has been adopted by The American Legion by Resolution of the National Executive Committee. The Centennial Commission and the Pritzker Military Museum & Library welcome additional supporting organizations as well as additional sponsors to expand the funds available to the awardees.
Information on the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission can be found here: www.ww1cc.org
Information about the Pritzker Military Museum and Library can be found here: www.pritzkermilitary.org/WW1
Information about the World War I Memorial Inventory Project can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/wwiinventory/?fref=ts
