As part of the annual celebration, SOA creates a poster every year to highlight items from collections around the state. This year’s theme was Ohio in World War I, to mark the 100th anniversary of United States involvement in the “War to End All Wars.” Out of the 21 institutions that submitted images for possible inclusion, a poll of SOA members selected six. Only three were included in the final poster, so we wanted to take this opportunity to share all of the winning images and their stories with you. Congratulations to all images chosen and keep an eye out for the call for submissions for next year’s poster!

Congregational Archives, Franciscan Sisters of the Poor, Cincinnati, OH
In 1918, after 46 years in the US, Sister Eutropia was required to register as an Alien Enemy Female. She had to carry her registration card at all times.

Franciscan Sisters Registration Card

National Museum of the United States Air Force, Dayton, OH
Female employees at the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company, Plant 1, Motor Department, July 1, 1918.

Dayton Wright Airplane Company, Plant 1, Motor Department, 1 July 1918.

Defiance College, Defiance, OH
Card advertising the Student Army Training Corps on the Defiance College campus, c. 1918.

Defiance Students Army Training Corps Card

Ohio Army National Guard, Columbus, OH
Chaplain John F. Herget serving ice cream to Soldiers of the 1st Infantry Regiment during training in Cincinnati, September 1917.

Chaplain John F. Herget serving ice cream to Ohio National Guard Soldiers

Ohio History Connection, Columbus, OH
Photograph of 21,000 soldiers who were stationed at Camp Sherman in Chillicothe, Ohio, during World War I standing in formation to make the shape of President Woodrow Wilson’s head. In the upper right-hand corner can be seen the tents and buildings of the camp.

Soldiers stationed at Camp Sherman in standing in formation as the shape of President Woodrow Wilson’s head

Mary E. Gladwin Papers, University of Akron Archival Services of University Libraries, Akron, OH

Akron nurse and University of Akron graduate Mary E. Gladwin (back row, center) poses with nurses at the American Red Cross Field Hospital in Belgrade, Serbia during World War I—the only Red Cross hospital then located in a combat zone—where she helped care for over 9,000 soldiers.

Akron Gladwin with Nurses in Serbia

With your Archives Month celebrations wrapped up, don’t forget to check out SOA’s Passport to the Past, it’s a great tool to learn more about historical organizations throughout the state.