N-Y Historical Society Sets Veterans Day Lineup of Performances, Talks & Family Programs

Join the New-York Historical Society this Veterans Day Weekend as we honor those who have served our country, both in our modern era and throughout American history. Learn about the experiences of our nation's heroes and the challenges that many face today through performances, talks, programs, and family friendly activities.

All visitors receive free Museum Admission on Veterans Day, Saturday, November 11, thanks to AT&T. Veterans receive free Museum Admission all weekend, Friday, November 10, through Sunday, November 12.

Veterans Day Weekend programs are made possible, in part, by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, with additional support from Bank of America. They are presented in conjunction with our exhibition The Vietnam War: 1945-1975.

RSVP for programs not required but strongly recommended. Space is limited; those without RSVPs cannot be guaranteed a seat. To RSVP, contact the Call Center at 212-485-9268 or call.center@nyhistory.org.

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EXHIBITION:

The Vietnam War: 1945 - 1975
On view through April 22, 2018

Forty years after it ended, the Vietnam War remains a painful chapter in U.S. history. This groundbreaking exhibition examines the causes, conduct, and consequences of one of the most controversial events of the 20th century. Spanning the duration of U.S. involvement in Indochina from 1945 to 1975, The Vietnam War: 1945-1975 explores how the tumultuous era challenged the foundations of American life and defined a generation.

PUBLIC PROGRAMS AND EVENTS:

Cry Havoc!
Friday, November 10, 7 pm
FREE

Stephan Wolfert recounts his experiences of military service, weaving his personal narrative with lines from some of Shakespeare's most famous speeches and posing challenging questions: The military recruits citizens and trains them to kill, but what does the "de-cruit" process look like? How do civilians and veterans re-learn to live together? After the performance, Stephan Wolfert joins three veterans from the conflicts in Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan to discuss challenges they faced returning from battle and how they have dealt with them.

Veterans Resource Center
Sunday, November 12, 11 am - 4 pm
Free with Museum Admission

Veterans organizations will be stationed in our second-floor gallery Dexter Hall to answer questions and provide information on services.

Concert: Orion Music Ensemble
Sunday, November 12, 12-1 pm
Free with Museum Admission

Join us for a tribute to our heroes beginning with classical compositions written for the military and ending with marches, gallops, and a grand finale that will get everyone moving. Orion Music Ensemble has played for audiences around the city and around the world, delighting those at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and even Queen Elizabeth II.

Voices from War
Sunday, November 12, 2-4 pm
Free with Museum Admission

Listen to six veterans of the Vietnam War and recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan share original writing on their experiences of war and coming home, followed by a discussion and meet-and-greet with the Voices of War readers.

FAMILY PROGRAMS:

Living History: Veterans Day Weekend
Friday-Sunday, November 10-12, 11 am - 4 pm
Recommended for all ages
Free with Museum Admission

Visit the Museum to remember the service of veterans past and present! Meet soldiers from different wars portrayed by Living Historians-including members of a unique African American regiment each day. Listen to stories about life on and off the battlefield throughout American history, discover uniforms and equipment, or try out an army drill!

Friday, November 10: The American Revolution

Join the 1st Rhode Island Regiment in the struggle for Independence! The 1st RI portrays the Continental Army's historic "Black Regiment," which was formed in part by African or First Nation slaves when they reinforced a dwindling Continental Army in 1778. Meet members of the 1st RI, and hear marching tunes from the Orange County Militia Company, volunteer soldiers who fought throughout New York State in the War for Independence.

Saturday, November 11: The American Civil War

Fight for the Union with the 6th Regiment of Infantry, United States Colored Troops! The 6th USCT honors African Americans who joined the army, like many others, after Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. Don't miss your chance to listen to Civil War songs played by a fifer in the 119th New York Volunteer Infantry, too!

Sunday, November 12: The First World War

Jump into the trenches with the Ebony Doughboys! You might know them as the 'Harlem Hellfighters,' but the Ebony Doughboys portray the real 369th Regiment U.S. Infantry, who originally named themselves 'the Rattlers' and shipped out to France in 1917-100 years ago! Plus, say hello to other WWI soldiers, like a recruit from the Emergency Service Corps, which trained women at Camp Hewitt in New Jersey to drill, march, and even uniform themselves like regular troops!

Drawing from Life with Dare2Draw
Saturday, November 11, 2 pm
Recommended for ages 6 and up
Free with Museum Admission

Learn how history can inspire creative stories! Join us to meet comic book author Brian Wood and practice your hand at drawing. Followed by book signing.

Reading into History Family Book Club: Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai
Sunday, November 12, 2 pm
Free with Museum Admission

Recommended for ages 9-12 and their adults
This Veterans Day Weekend, we're exploring the history of the Vietnam War through Thanhha Lai's National Book Award-winning novel in verse about a young girl's transition from Vietnam to Alabama after the fall of Saigon. Lai will join us to meet families and discuss her book. Then we'll explore the Museum's landmark exhibition The Vietnam War: 1945-1975 in a family friendly mini-tour.

To learn more about our Veterans Day Weekend programs, visit www.nyhistory.org/veterans-day-weekend.

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The New-York Historical Society, one of America's preeminent cultural institutions, is dedicated to fostering research and presenting history and art exhibitions and public programs that reveal the dynamism of history and its influence on the world of today. Founded in 1804, New-York Historical has a mission to explore the richly layered history of New York City and State and the country, and to serve as a national forum for the discussion of issues surrounding the making and meaning of history.