• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Alert

HOLIDAY CLOSING: All Library Locations Closed Monday, May 30 in Observance of Memorial Day More Info

Alert

Free COVID-19 Rapid Antigen At-Home Test Kits Available at All Arlington Libraries More Info

Home - Arlington County Virginia - Logo
MENUMENU
  • Join Now
  • My Account
    • Login
    • Borrow, Renew, Return
    • Holds
    • About My Account
    • My eAccounts
    • Join Now
  • Hours & Locations
    • All Hours & Locations
    • Operations Updates
    • Holiday Closings
  • News
  • Help
    • FAQs
    • Contact Us
    • By Appointment
  • Contact Us

Arlington Public Library

MENUMENU
  • Search
      • Browse New
      • Browse All
  • Events
    • Programs
    • Featured Events
    • Calendar
  • eCollection
    • eAudiobooks
    • eBooks
    • Digital Magazines
    • Learning Tools
    • Research Tools
    • All eCollection
  • Research
    • Research Portal
    • Research Tools A-Z
    • Local History
  • Services
    • Accessibility Services
    • Find A Good Book
    • Maker
    • Meeting Rooms
    • Notary
    • Public Computers
    • More Services
  • Explore
    • Catalog
      • Catalog Search
      • Catalog Browse
      • Digital Archives
      • Borrowing Collections
      • Book Lists
    • Kids & Teens
      • For Babies and Preschoolers
      • For Elementary Schoolers
      • Middle and High Schoolers
    • Local History
      • Research Room
      • Community Archives
      • Online Exhibits
    • Support the Library
      • Friends of the Library
      • Giving Opportunities
      • Donating Materials
    • Popular
      • Lynda.com
      • Consumer Reports
      • Overdrive
    • EXPLORE MORE
  • Join Now
  • My Account
    • Login
    • Borrow, Renew, Return
    • Holds
    • About My Account
    • My eAccounts
    • Join Now
  • Hours & Locations
    • All Hours & Locations
    • Operations Updates
    • Holiday Closings
  • News
  • Contact Us

test post

When World War I began in mid-August of 1914, it divided the global superpowers into Central and Allied Powers.

But it was not until after the sinking of the Lusitania in 1915 – and incessant pleas from the Allied Powers – that the United States officially entered World War I on April 6, 1917. Then soldiers from all over the United Sates, including Arlington, signed up to “do their part for the War effort.”

Because of new innovations in weaponry and chemical warfare, this was unlike any previous war; more than nine million soldiers perished, and approximately twenty-one million were wounded between 1914-1918.

Many Americans never returned home, but one who did make it back to Arlington was Edward G. Fenwick.

Fenwick served as an ambulance driver during World War I, and his journey through wartime Europe can be relived through his numerous personal correspondences.

Remy Belgium Fenwicks Car

Fenwick’s World War I Ambulance

Fenwick's letter home, page 1

Fenwick’s letter home, page 1

With letters addressed to his loved ones, including his beloved “Momsie,” the contents reveal an intimate look at life behind-the-scenes during war, and a soldier’s internal struggle to maintain a sense of normalcy and familiarity amidst a chaotic war-torn backdrop.

These wartime correspondences, as well as other family records can be found in the Eastman-Fenwick Family Personal Paper Collection at the Center for Local History.  The Eastman-Fenwick Collection details the history of this well-known Arlington family over four generations.  The collection is comprised of wartime letters, (both Civil War and World War I) economic records of the family, 19th century sermons, genealogical materials, and various postcards and correspondences.

When Kristin Young, an Arlington County employee, discovered that the Center for Local History was going to showcase letters and photographs from World War I, she graciously loaned us a photograph of her grandfather, William Leo Diedrich for our exhibition.

William Leo Diedrich

William Leo Diedrich

Kristin’s grandfather served in France in 1917 and his personal diary quoted that he was “shot and gassed in October 1918.”  He survived the war but Kristin says, “My grandfather didn’t talk much about his service.  Nor did my uncles who served in WWII.  I can say that I am proud of my family’s tradition of service.”  In fact, Kristin is retired from the Navy Reserves.  She stated, “I’d like to think that I continued that tradition and hopefully made him proud.”

View the Center for Local History’s complete online World War I exhibit.

We also invite you to visit the Center for Local History’s Research Room at Central Library to see our World War I mini-exhibition, and to get an up-close-and-personal glimpse into this bygone wartime era.

 

The Center for Local history is happy to accept archival donations—please contact us through our webpage to speak to a staff member about your collection. 

The Center for Local History is a community driven archive which collects documents, photographs, and other archival records detailing Arlington’s diversified neighborhoods, groups and clubs, and residents.

 

April 18, 2017 by Web Editor

Filed Under: News

Primary Sidebar

News

Photo of a Pride flag.

Arlington Public Library Celebrates Pride Month

Arlington Public Library will host several … ... about Arlington Public Library Celebrates Pride Month

Read More News

Operations Updates

Link to information about holiday closure.

HOLIDAY CLOSING: All Library Locations Closed Monday, May 30 in Observance of Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United … ... about HOLIDAY CLOSING: All Library Locations Closed Monday, May 30 in Observance of Memorial Day

See More Service Updates

Center for Local History

Link to oral history blog post.

Oral History: Gertrude “Trudy” Ensign

U.S. Army Intelligence Analyst During World War … ... about Oral History: Gertrude “Trudy” Ensign

Read More Local History

Director’s Blog

Reading Between the Lines: Year Two of Reading in a Pandemic

For me, 2021 was marked by reading. A lot of … ... about Reading Between the Lines: Year Two of Reading in a Pandemic

More Director's Blog

Recent Comments

  • Web Editor on OPERATIONS UPDATE: Regular Service Resumes Monday, Jan. 31
  • Gail Burnaford on OPERATIONS UPDATE: Regular Service Resumes Monday, Jan. 31
  • Web Editor on OPERATIONS UPDATE: Cherrydale, Glencarlyn Currently Closed; Other Services Under Review

Footer

About Us

  • Mission & Vision
  • Center for Local History
  • News Room

Administration

  • Policies
  • Library Staff
  • Job Opportunities
  • Propose a Program

Support Your Library

  • Friends of the Library
  • Giving Opportunities
  • Donating Materials
  • Volunteer Opportunities

Our Mission

We champion the power of stories, information and ideas.

We create space for culture and connection.

We embrace inclusion and diverse points of view.

Facebook. Twitter. Instagram. YouTube. Flickr. Newsletter.

download appDownload the Library App

Arlington County | Terms & Conditions | Accessibility | Site Map
· Copyright © 2022 Arlington County Government ·