2017 marked the 100th anniversary of U.S. entry into the First World War, a conflict that had already ravaged the European continent and caused major interruptions to daily life on both sides of the Atlantic. U.S. involvement in WWI had a profound impact on industry and culture in Columbia County. The summer of 1917 saw the first drawing of names of Columbia County drafted men: 420. Over the next year and a half, multiple men were drafted into service, and numerous volunteer drives were held in Hudson and elsewhere encouraging enlistment.

Supreme Sacrifice: Columbia County in World War I honored the heroism and sacrifice of those County residents who served, while educating visitors on the many effects the Great War had on local life, including human and economical impacts. Although a century ago, there is much we can learn from its stories as we face further global challenges today.    

This exhibition explored experiences of county citizens both home and abroad. More than 8,300 men and women from Columbia County registered to serve in some capacity during WWI, with over 1,100 seeing active service abroad and among which there were at least 95 casualties.

This special exhibition featured bequeathed private collections—now part of our permanent collection—of four men: Nelson Caul Hay (Chatham), Harry Sutherland (Mellenville), Robert R. Wait (Hudson) and Robert Reginald Livingston (Clermont). Their collections, among others, tell stories of Italian immigrants from Hudson, African-Americans from Kinderhook, the first Columbia County resident killed in action, and more.