Veterans Week
What: Celebration of veterans through historic displays, veterans talking to students and others about war experiences, and hands-on and other activities
When: Nov. 7-13
Where: Northeast Georgia History Center at Brenau University, 322 Academy St., Gainesville
Admission: $5, adults; $4, 65 and older; $3, 18 and younger; and free, children under 6 and history center members. On Veterans Day, Nov. 11, the center will offer free admission to veterans and their families. Activities are free for all visitors on Family Day, or Nov. 13.
Contact: 770-297-5900
Northeast Georgia History Center at Brenau University is gearing up for its annual Veterans Week activities, with a special emphasis this year on World War I.
Artifacts and memorabilia from World War I through present day will be on display Nov. 7-13 and exhibits will feature some of the same items displayed last year, said Julie Carson, history center education and volunteer coordinator.
"But (the exhibits) will also include a greater number of World War I artifacts, at a minimum doubled from last year," Carson said.
World War I was fought 1914-1918, with the U.S. entering the war in 1917.
Also planned for display is a U.S. flag that is 8 feet by 12 feet, as well as a variety of armed service flags.
The exhibits will occupy the Rotunda, Founders' Hall and part of the Education Center at the history center, which is at 322 Academy St., Gainesville.
The center has booked school field trips for four of the five days that week and expects to see as many 600 students, Carson said.
"We have requests from several schools for veterans (to speak) and expect to reach many more students through on-site visits as well," she said.
Officials estimate 600-800 students toured the center and visitors spoke to about 2,000 students at schools during Veterans Week last year, Carson said.
"Already, 16 veterans, mostly WWII through Vietnam, have confirmed that they will lead groups here or speak at schools," she said.
On Veterans Day, Nov. 11, the center will offer free admission to veterans and their families.
Otherwise, admission is $5 for adults, $4 for those 65 and older, $3 for those 18 and younger, and free for children under 6 and history center members.
The history center normally is closed Sundays but will hold Veterans Week activities 1-4 p.m. Nov. 13 as part of Family Day, normally held the second Sunday of every month.
Admission that day is free.
At Family Day, veterans will be available to speak to visitors. Also planned are hands-on activities, including creating a large American flag using handprints.
Visitors also can participate in Letters from Home, a Gainesville organization that sent more than 400 packages last holiday season to members of all branches of the U.S. armed forces.