The exhibit “War Comes Home: The Legacy” opens April 1 through Sept. 25, 2021 at the Greeley History Museum, located at 714 8th St, in historic Downtown Greeley.
The public can access the exhibit during museum normal business hours Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“War Comes Home: The Legacy” explores the joys and hardships that returning soldiers and their families face during homecoming, as expressed through private letters and email correspondence. The exhibit includes thirteen interpretive panels spanning conflicts from the Civil War through the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Through these panel displays, “War Comes Home: The Legacy” explores the shared themes of wartime separation, the adjustment to life back at home, and the costs of war. The exhibit features an audio tour offered in both English and Spanish, to add a personal touch to the Veteran’s stories.
Combined with local artifacts from the City of Greeley Museums’ collection, “War Comes Home: The Legacy” highlights private correspondence from almost every major conflict in U.S. history. The traveling exhibition, rich with historical and contemporary letters, offers an intimate perspective into the thoughts and emotions of veterans and their families upon a soldier’s homecoming.
“War Comes Home: The Legacy,” is part of Cal Humanities’ current “War Comes Home” initiative, a thematic program designed to promote greater understanding of veterans and explore how war shapes a community.
The exhibition is based on the work of the Center for American War Letters (CAWL) and is presented by Exhibit Envoy. Andrew Carroll, the director of CAWL and an award-winning New York Times bestselling author, and John Benitz, associate professor in the Department of Theatre at Chapman University, co-curated the exhibition.
“War Comes Home: The Legacy” is a partnership between Cal Humanities, the California State Library and Exhibit Envoy. Visit greeleymuseums.com for additional details.
Colorado's mask order requires all individuals wear a face covering while inside the Greeley History Museum. Officials encourage all visitors to practice social distancing at the museum. Anyone with COVID-19 or flu-like symptoms — fever, cough, or shortness of breath — should not enter or use city facilities including the Greeley History Museum. Visit the City of Greeley’s website for more information about how the organization is handling COVID-19.