Exhibit will feature Red Cross history

SUBMITTED PHOTO

  An upcoming exhibit at the Wayne County Historical Society's Museum of Wayne County History features the Wayne County chapter of the American Red Cross. Pictured Red Cross Workers 1917-1918 are: front row left to right: Marian Getman, Nell Young, Mrs. S.B. Gavitt, unknown; Women back row left to right: Mary Arnold, Mrs. John (Blanche) Rodenbach

LYONS - The Wayne County Historical Society's Museum of Wayne County History is partnering with the Wayne County chapter of the American Red Cross for the first exhibit of 2009 in the changing exhibition room titled 'Wayne County Red Cross: Their Story.'

Executive Director of the Wayne County chapter of the Red Cross James Love completed extensive research on the American Red Cross in Wayne County, from its inception in 1917 until present day, and will be the featured speaker at the exhibition preview party 7 p.m. March 5.

The Wayne County chapter was born from the skirts of a group of local women, including Kate Bloomer, J.E. Hayes, Jane Stuart and E.B. Elliot, who worked on numerous knitting projects for British troops from 1914 to 1916. Their organization was known as the 'Bundles for Britain.'

After the United States entered World War I on April 6, 1917, the women decided that their efforts should be directed towards helping the United States Armed Forces serving overseas through the American Red Cross. Hence, through the hard work of 'Bundles for Britain,' the Wayne County Chapter of the American Red Cross was born.

The exhibit will feature many of the museums collection of Red Cross items, as well as some of the Wayne County chapters memorabilia.

Anyone who has pictures or memorabilia regarding the Wayne County chapter is asked to contact the museum.

During the exhibit, which runs from March 6 to July 18, the museum will be hosting blood drives at the museum.

For more information on blood drives, visit www.waynecountyredcross.org.

For more information about the exhibit, call 946-4943 or visit www.waynehistory.org.

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