4th Annual WWI Weekend on Governors Island Smashing Success

Camp Doughboy 2019. Photo: Alex Rosenberg.

The 4th annual WWI History Weekend “Camp Doughboy” was a smashing success the weekend of September 14-15 at Governors Island National Monument. Approximately 3,000 attended the weekend to see 65 living historians tell the story of WWI. With the support of the History Channel and the National Park Service, the island hosted reenactors, two vintage Dodge vehicles, a rolling Army field kitchen, exhibitions, talks, and activities for kids.

The East Coast Doughboys launched the event in 2016, and it now the largest annual history event on Governors Island. Participants came from six states and represented the U.S., Commonwealth forces, French, and volunteers. Female living historians portrayed the U.S. Army Signal Corps “Hello Girls,” Army contract surgeon, motor transport, and movie star Mary Pickford.

A new feature this year was a dedicated kids activity, a scavenger hunt designed by Ryan Hegg, founder of In Their Footsteps. Kids chased answers around camp all weekend. Lindsey Mulholland, creator of Lindsey Loves History, coordinated all camp information.

The showstopper on Sunday was the arrival of the Baby Tank, an accurate recreation of a 1918 model tank baby carriage used in Central Park for a war bond fundraiser. To the surprise of some, four month old Clara was a real baby.

More photos and video clips will be uploaded soon.