Bohannon Schoolhouse hosts “Life in the Trenches,” for visitors as part of WWI exhibit
Participants made trench periscopes to be able to see over their trenches.
Trench warfare happened on Central Michigan University’s campus the morning of July 14.
The simulation of the World War I performance at Bohannon Schoolhouse allowed Mount Pleasant resident Nola Boyle, 11 to learn even more about her favorite subject: history.
“I learned a lot about the trenches,” Boyle said.
The Museum of Cultural and Natural History at CMU hosted "Life in the Trenches" on the corner of Preston and West Campus Drive. The 20 attendees of the event were able to see what life was like during WWI.
“Life in the Trenches” was a part of a temporary exhibit “Sacrifice and Service: The World War I Experience” that was part of a guided tour. Graduate students in MST 750: Seminar in Advanced Exhibit Design and Construction put the exhibit together and installed it in the schoolhouse for the summer.
In addition to the trenches simulation fight, children filled out draft cards, experienced what it was like to wear a gas mask and performed a simulation fight in the trenches.
The museum’s education coordinator Sheree Hall said she loves doing this program because it allows families to learn history together through experience, and then bring some of that home with them.
“It’s given me the opportunity to do a lot of research,” Hall said. “I’ve had the opportunity to find creative ways to (help) others find interesting things about our past and our world in some way. I also really enjoy helping students learn to do what I do.”
Art major Katie Miellens, 22, of Bay City, said she enjoys working for the museum and helping organize these events because they get visitors to campus and learning about the exhibits.
“I love my job and I really enjoy watching kids actually learn in a schoolhouse and actually be in a place outside of a traditional classroom,” Miellens said.
“Sacrifice and Service: The World War I Experience” is open each Saturday 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Bohannon Schoolhouse.
Other events will be put on throughout the summer by the CMU Museum of Cultural and Natural History, visit www.bit.ly/1K3qN7G for more information or by calling 989-774-3829.
