Western Front Association
East Coast Branch (USA)
East Coast Branch (USA)
WWI Seminars
A Day With the Great WarWFA East Coast welcomes enthusiasts, amateur and professional historians interested in the study and commemoration of the First World War.
We hold seminars twice a year in the Philadelphia-Baltimore-Washington area. Each seminar is a day-long event featuring both amateur and professional speakers who present a variety of topics about the battles, campaigns, and weapons of the First World War, and the social context and impact of the war on western society.
Attendee comment from the June 5, 2010 seminar - “I just wanted to say how much my husband and I enjoyed attending our first East Coast Chapter seminar this past weekend. The people we did get to talk to were very friendly and it was a most informative and educational day. We had never been to Fort Meade before. I have to say I was delightfully surprised! I found all the speakers outstanding! The museum tour was excellent, the lunch buffet was wonderful and the entire day was planned very well. The topics were general enough to be interesting for someone like me who is not an expert on World War I, but probably detailed enough to hold the interest of your more professional members. We both learned a LOT of new things! We both enjoyed it so much that we may attend the national conference in September since we will be near that area the same weekend.” Karen C.
We hold seminars twice a year in the Philadelphia-Baltimore-Washington area. Each seminar is a day-long event featuring both amateur and professional speakers who present a variety of topics about the battles, campaigns, and weapons of the First World War, and the social context and impact of the war on western society.
Attendee comment from the June 5, 2010 seminar - “I just wanted to say how much my husband and I enjoyed attending our first East Coast Chapter seminar this past weekend. The people we did get to talk to were very friendly and it was a most informative and educational day. We had never been to Fort Meade before. I have to say I was delightfully surprised! I found all the speakers outstanding! The museum tour was excellent, the lunch buffet was wonderful and the entire day was planned very well. The topics were general enough to be interesting for someone like me who is not an expert on World War I, but probably detailed enough to hold the interest of your more professional members. We both learned a LOT of new things! We both enjoyed it so much that we may attend the national conference in September since we will be near that area the same weekend.” Karen C.
Next Seminar - October 29, 2011
Our next seminar is on Saturday, October 29, 2011 at the Maryland War Memorial Building, 101 N. Gay St., Baltimore from 9:30 am to 5 pm. The seminar presentation schedule TBD.
Click here for the seminar program and registration form.
Mark your calendar, registration will begin in September. Watch this space or the WFA East Coast Facebook Page for more information.
What to Expect
At our seminars, you can expect to following:
At our seminars, you can expect to following:
- Four or five presentations by knowledgeable speakers.
- Other attendees who share an interest and knowledge of the First World War.
- Depending on the venue, several WWI-related exhibits by East Coast members.
- Refreshments.
Past Seminars
WFA East Coast has been organizing and holding WWI history seminars since 1991. Visit here for a summary of our previous seminars.
WFA East Coast has been organizing and holding WWI history seminars since 1991. Visit here for a summary of our previous seminars.
Call for Speakers
WFA East Coast encourages persons who are knowledgeable in a WWI-related topic to submit proposals for future seminars. If you would like to be considered as a speaker at a future seminar, please contact us for more information.
WFA East Coast encourages persons who are knowledgeable in a WWI-related topic to submit proposals for future seminars. If you would like to be considered as a speaker at a future seminar, please contact us for more information.
Why Study WWI?
In many ways – politically, militarily, economically, and socially – the First World War defines the 20th Century. Most major events of the century had their origins in the war and some are still with us today; for example, the rise of communism, World War Two, the Cold War, and today's Middle Eastern situation.
For the United States with its 116,516 dead, World War I was our third most costly war. World War I was the first total war. It was also the first mechanized war with the employment of machine guns, chemical weapons, tanks, airplanes, and submarines. For the United States the conflict set the stage for its rise as a world power and ushered in significant social changes such as the ratification of the 19th amendment which gave women the right to vote. Even today, nearly 100 years after the war's end, its impact is not fully understood because some events precipitated by the war have yet to fully run their course.
In many ways – politically, militarily, economically, and socially – the First World War defines the 20th Century. Most major events of the century had their origins in the war and some are still with us today; for example, the rise of communism, World War Two, the Cold War, and today's Middle Eastern situation.
For the United States with its 116,516 dead, World War I was our third most costly war. World War I was the first total war. It was also the first mechanized war with the employment of machine guns, chemical weapons, tanks, airplanes, and submarines. For the United States the conflict set the stage for its rise as a world power and ushered in significant social changes such as the ratification of the 19th amendment which gave women the right to vote. Even today, nearly 100 years after the war's end, its impact is not fully understood because some events precipitated by the war have yet to fully run their course.
Maryland War Memorial Building
Our fall seminar is always held on the Saturday closest to November 11th at the Maryland War Memorial Building in Baltimore, MD. As such, we consider it to be our seminar venue."
WFA East Coast's use of the War Memorial Building as a meeting venue allows it to directly assist the preservation, maintenance, and interpretation of the building. Ground for this historic building was broken by Marshal Ferdinand Foch in 1921, and the structure was completed in 1925 to honor Maryland's dead of the World War. In addition to displays of war trophies and memorabilia related to Maryland units which served overseas, the building features an impressive 900-seat Memorial Hall which includes an eternal flame, and marble walls inscribed with the names of the more than 1,700 Marylanders who lost their lives serving in World War I.
Our fall seminar is always held on the Saturday closest to November 11th at the Maryland War Memorial Building in Baltimore, MD. As such, we consider it to be our seminar venue."
WFA East Coast's use of the War Memorial Building as a meeting venue allows it to directly assist the preservation, maintenance, and interpretation of the building. Ground for this historic building was broken by Marshal Ferdinand Foch in 1921, and the structure was completed in 1925 to honor Maryland's dead of the World War. In addition to displays of war trophies and memorabilia related to Maryland units which served overseas, the building features an impressive 900-seat Memorial Hall which includes an eternal flame, and marble walls inscribed with the names of the more than 1,700 Marylanders who lost their lives serving in World War I.
Volunteers Sought
WFA East Coast is always looking for volunteers to assist with seminar preparation and genral business. If you would like to help out, then please contact us about volunteer opportunities.
