Patriotic Posters of the First World War

The public is cordially invited to a rare opportunity to view an exhibit showcasing forty-two very colorful and dramatic Patriotic Posters of the First World War collected by Mabel Wilcox during her war service in France, at her 1914 Mahamoku beach house at 5344 Weke Road, Hanalei, Kauai.  The exhibit, which will be open April 6^th to May 4^th, 2013, Tuesdays thru Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., has a $10 requested donation.   Visitors may also use this occasion to tour her historically intact Hanalei Bay beach house.

The impact of posters as a means of communication was greater during this war than any other time.  These propaganda posters depicted many themes.  They secured support for the war effort on the home front and helped to meet the colossal costs of the war through frequent loan subscriptions.  The posters were a means also by which French artists and poster-makers could commit themselves to the war effort.

Among other artifacts included in the exhibit will be fifteen bronze commemorative medals created to raise money for support of the Allied troops during World War I, a German helmet collected at the frontlines after Armistice Day by Miss Mabel, as well as her Medal of Appreciation from the Queen of Belgium and another from the Mayor of La Havre.

During the exhibit, a series of Talk Story luncheons featuring Barnes Riznik, Director Emeritus of Waioli Mission House and Grove Farm museums and author of Mabel Wilcox, R.N., Her Legacy of Caring, will be served on the beach house lanai.  This exhibit, coordinated by museums’ Curator, Moises Madayag, is presented by Waioli Corporation, the non-profit community organization that preserves the Waioli Mission House, Grove Farm and Mahamoku museums and other sites.

For further information about the exhibit or luncheons please telephone Grove Farm museum at 245-3202 or visit our website at www.grovefarm.org.