University archivist to present on Bluffton’s World War I experience

Carrie Philips, archives and special collections librarian at Bluffton University, will present “‘We Are Still Compelled…’: Artifacts of Bluffton’s World War I Experience” at 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 10, in the Kreider Room of Marbeck Center. 

Phillips will provide an overview of an exhibit she is curating at Musselman Library titled “Of Bronze and Bravery: Local Voices of Conscience” that features the selected works of artist John Peter Klassen, with archival documents and artifacts illustrating the Bluffton College experience in the Great War.

The presentation is part of a series of events that are being held in coordination with the traveling exhibit “Voices of Conscience,” which will be on display from Feb. 17-March 31 in Bluffton’s Musselman Library. 

“Voices of Conscience” remembers the witness of peace-minded people against the First World War from 1914-1918 and immerses visitors in the historical experience of witnessing for peace during “total war.” The exhibit also suggests parallels to the culture of war and violence in our world today. The exhibit was developed and produced at the Kauffman Museum in North Newton, Kan., and was underwritten at Bluffton by Jacob T. and Lola Friesen in memory of Jacob L. and Helena Friesen and Jacob J. and Eva Friesen.

Library hours are 8:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday. Weekend hours are 1-4 p.m. on Saturday and 4-10 p.m. on Sunday.

For more information about additional exhibit-related presentations and the complementary exhibit “Of Bronze and Bravery,” visitwww.bluffton.edu/voices.

All events are free and open to the public.