Patriotic Posters
SLIPPERY ROCK — Slippery Rock University’s yearlong history series on the 100th anniversary of World War I has a new entry: 24 patriotic posters produced during the Great War.
The university archives is showing the display on the third floor of Bailey Library to commemorate the centennial and provide research opportunities.
The posters, on loan from the art department, will be displayed all semester.
The poster slogans evoke a sense of urgency: “Give or We Perish,” “You Can Help” and “On the Job for Victory.”
Kevin McLatchy, library technician in the archives, hung the exhibit. Art department students cleaned and repaired the posters. Judy Silva, assistant professor of library, coordinated the effort.
Mass-produced for factories, libraries and offices, the posters depict mythical characters such as Lady Liberty and historical figures such as Joan of Arc in various poses, with catchy phrases to motivate Americans to support the war, including “See Him Through,” “Women of America, Save Your Country” and “Americans All!”
The Red Cross, Treasury and the National Catholic War Council are among the agencies represented in the vintage posters.
One poster from the U.S. Food Administration calls for Americans to “Eat Less.” It implores citizens to be thankful that “we have enough to share with those who fight for freedom.”
The posters will be used this fall in courses across a number of departments, then there will be a gallery show and the entire project will become the centerpiece for the launch of the Stone House Center for Public Humanities in April.
Library hours are 7:45 a.m. to 11 p.m. Mondays to Thursdays, 7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and 1 to 11 p.m. Sundays.
For more information, call 724-738-2058 or 724-738-2635.
