History Lecture Series! 🙂 Henry County in the Great War: Loyalty Trials, German-Americans, and the League of American Patriots
The Monclova Historical Foundation invites you to join us on Wednesday, January 25th at 7:00pm for our next History Lecture – Henry County in the Great War. Featuring Michael McMaster.
In 1918 an organization in Napoleon, Ohio called the League of American Patriots of Henry County was formed to reputably stamp out Pro-German sentiment. Despite their stated goal, the League, led by Napoleon’s Methodist and Presbyterian ministers, set its fury on loyal German Lutheran churches and parochial schools. Several high profile loyalty trials were held in Napoleon, Ohio. Nearly all of the targets of these loyalty trials were Democrats running for office. In 1918 in Henry County, Ohio, like many other places in the United States at the time, petty religious, political, and personal grudges were exacerbated by the German spy hysteria that gripped America. Patriotism was used as a cloak to settle these scores.
Michael is the Education Programs Coordinator at the Wood County Museum in Bowling Green, Ohio, a position he has held since 2003. A veteran of the U.S. Army, he was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge in 1991. He earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Elementary Education and a Master’s Degree in American Culture Studies from Bowling Green State University. Michael currently resides in rural Henry County with his wife and four children.
The lecture will take place at the Monclova Community Center (Metzger Room) located at 8115 Monclova Road – just 3 miles West of St. Luke’s Hospital. Admission and parking are FREE. An elevator is located at the west entrance to the building. Hope to see you there!
Monclova Community Center 