Stayton hosting World War I museum

World War I museum

“Lest We Forget,” a traveling exhibit commemorating the centennial anniversary of World War I, will make its first appearance in Fort Worth and is open free to the public at The Stayton at Museum Way on Dec. 3rd from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Stayton at Museum Way, Fort Worth’s premier senior living community, is located at 2501 Museum Way in the Cultural Arts District.

“Our residents are highly engaged in continuing education and enjoy these types of events that provide exceptional learning experiences,” said Amy Janak, lifestyles director of The Stayton at Museum Way. “We wanted to share this with the community because we believe it’s important to honor and remember the veterans who were a part of this world conflict.”

The World War I Mobile Museum, sponsored by Klarus Home Care, is a traveling exhibition of original artifacts composed of ten sections depicting different themes, including trench warfare, photographic and cinematic treatment of the war and Christmastime on the battlefield. More than 200 artifacts and photographs are presented, including numerous personal items used by soldiers, one of the first battlefield movie cameras and an authentic trenching tool like those used to dig more than 25,000 miles of trenches during the war.

“When I was visiting the National World War I Museum in Kansas City, I realized that senior adults are the last direct descendants of World War I veterans and decided to create a mobile museum to bring these artifacts to them wherever they live,” said Keith Colley, director of Things That Matter for Klarus Home Care. “We’re finding people of all ages are drawn to the exhibit. Our hope is to keep the memory of World War I and its veterans alive, which is why we called it ‘Lest We Forget,’ a phrase that comes from a speech delivered by President Woodrow Wilson after the war ended.”

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The plan is to take the museum on tour for the duration of the 100th anniversary of World War I, which began in 1914 and concluded in 1918.

“When we learned of the uniqueness of this fascinating exhibit about an important time in our history, we felt that we had to share this with the public,” said Scott Polzin, executive director of The Stayton at Museum Way. “Although World War I was 100 years ago, many of our residents had family and friends who served in the war and feel strongly connected to the veterans. We are all intrigued with and excited to see this exhibit.”

www.thestayton.com