News Flash

Mariners’ Museum archivist Bill Barker presents “WWI Posters and Propaganda” as part of the Hampton History Museum’s free Lunch in Time series at noon, Wednesday, September 19.

In his illustrated lecture Barker will examine World War I era posters from the Mariners’ Museum’s collection. These pieces of propaganda played an important role in galvanizing public opinion and shoring up support for the war effort. He’ll explore how the pairing of pithy phrases and dramatic artwork elicited such a strong reaction from the public and significantly impacted how the country thought about war.

Barker’s talk will start with the creation of the Committee on Public Information as a clearing house for government propaganda during World War I, and then focus on the Division of Pictorial Publicity, headed by Charles Dana Gibson. The presentation will cover the broad categories of posters, the output of noted illustrators, and what makes for an effective poster design. Of particular focus will be on the posters of the War Shipping Administration/ Emergency Fleet Corporation, in addition to the posters that are featured in the Mariners’ Museum current exhibition “Answering America’s Call: Newport News in World War I” that commemorates the 100th anniversary of America’s involvement in the “war to end all wars.”

Admission is free. Attendees are encouraged to bring a bag lunch. The museum will have free dessert.

The Hampton History Museum is located at 120 Old Hampton Lane in Downtown Hampton. There is free parking in the garage across the street from the museum. For more information call 757-727-1102.