Camp Sherman Days
City Wide Events Throughout Chillicothe, Ohio
July 1 through 9, 2017
A 100th Year Commemoration Honoring The Sacrifice So Many Made During WWI
Camp Sherman was a World War I training camp (or cantonment) built on Ross County farm land just north of Chillicothe, Ohio. The initial camp required over 2000 wood structures and was constructed in just three short months. This miraculously constructed “City of Soldiers” had all of the facilities and staff of any modern city at the time and was ready to accept 40,000 new National Army draftees by September, 1917.
The first unit to train here was the 83rd Infantry Division under the command of General Edwin Glenn. Civilian men, ages 21 to 31, were transformed into highly trained soldiers. During their training, they endured some of the most extreme winter weather on record. In June, 1918, they were shipped to France. They were followed by two more army divisions (the 84th and 95th plus three regiments of the 92nd Buffalo Division).
During these days, Camp Sherman maintained a regular army training cadre and civilian support staff of hundreds more. After the first 40,000 men of the 83rd, an estimated 80,000 more soldiers processed through Camp Sherman going to or returning from the war. In addition to the lives lost in battle, almost 1200 military personnel lost their lives to the influenza pandemic that occurred in late 1918.
You may have had family or friends, either military or civilian who spent time at Camp Sherman. Or, you may be a prior or current member of the military who appreciates the sacrifice it takes to be a soldier. Or, you may be just a military history buff who wants to learn more. During the 100th anniversary of the opening of Camp Sherman, we wish to remember the sacrifices of World War One soldiers and their contributions to America’s freedom. We invite you to revisit the times and sites where they tirelessly trained and enjoyed free time as we honor their memory.
Learn what citizens and soldiers alike experienced during 1917-1918, when Camp Sherman became a major training center for America’s new army.
Main Event: Living History Encampment
Camp Sherman Days features many interesting events during the week of 4th of July, 2017, as a commemoration of Camp Sherman and the first World War. The main event will be the weekend of July 7-9.
Saturday, July 8, 9:00am – 5:00pm: Visit the site of Camp Sherman, now a National Guard training facility. Modern and historic equipment displays, rock climbing wall, antiques, weapons demonstrations and more. Read More
Camp Sherman Days Special Events
Look for Camp Sherman Days signs to help you find each event.
Saturday, July 1, 2017
9:00am – Run, Walk, & Boom and Official “Opening Ceremony” for Camp Sherman Days at the Civic Theater. Details | Map
11:00am – Ice Cream Social at Adena Mansion & Gardens. Details | Map
6:30pm – Paints Baseball Game, opening ceremony by Veterans Organizations, fireworks at V.A. Stadium. Details | Map
Saturday, July 8, 2017
8:00am – Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast in Yoctangee Park. Details | Map
9:00am – 5:00pm Living History & Equipment Display. Great War living history displays – authentic camp and tent displays, drill practice, and live fire demonstrations at the original Camp Sherman Rifle Range. Antique show and other period vendors. Food and drink vendors. Details | Map
1:00pm – 4:00pm Driving Tour of Camp Sherman. Details | Map
1:00pm – Veterans Appreciation Day at V.A. Hospital. Details | Map
Camp Sherman Days Special Exhibits
Open most days of the week
Burton Stevenson Exhibit
Chillicothe-Ross County Library, 140 S. Paint Street
Summer Hours: Monday-Thursday 9 AM – 9 PM
Friday and Saturday 9 AM – 5:30 PM
Closed Holidays & Sundays
Burton E. Stevenson was born in Chillicothe and developed a keen interest in writing at an early age. Following graduation from Chillicothe High School, he attended Princeton University and later married Elizabeth Butler a local librarian. While at Princeton, Stevenson was a correspondent for United Press and for the New York Tribune. Later, he became City Editor for the Chillicothe Daily News and Daily Advertiser. Stevenson wrote numerous novels including four for young adults. He also edited others’ works, and created numerous anthologies of verse, familiar quotations, and the like. Many of his anthologies are still in print.
Stevenson was well known for his war efforts. At Camp Sherman, he established a library of 40,000 donated volumes. The Camp Sherman library he designed became a model for all military base libraries. In 1918 he founded the American Library in Paris, France. He was then made European director of the Association’s Library War Service, a position he held for seven years.
In his final years, he was the head librarian at the Chillicothe library.
The Library at Camp Sherman is the only building of significance still remaining on the Camp Sherman site and will be part of the Camp Sherman driving tour.
World War One Art Exhibit
Pump House Center For The Arts, 1 Enderlin Circle (Yoctangee Park)
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 11:00am – 4:00pm and Sunday 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Camp Sherman World War I Exhibition – July 5 – 30, 2017
The Pump House joins the community in commemorating this 100 year tribute to World War I soldiers and Camp Sherman. The work of local artists will be on display during the month and will be open to the public.
Artists wishing to exhibit their work in this month long exhibit are encouraged to contact the Pump House at 740-772-5783 during open hours.
A special reception will be held – 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Thursday July 6, 2017. Art lovers and history buffs are invited to attend and support the Pump House Center for the Arts.
Camp Sherman Days Film & Exhibit
Hopewell Culture National Historical Park | Map
Open Daily 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Camp Sherman and World War I Soldier Exhibits
Chillicothe-Ross County Historical Society, 45 W. Fifth Street
Hours: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Wednesday – Saturday
Special Sunday, July 9, Hours: 1 – 5pm
There two rooms filled with World War I uniforms, weapons, photos, and other memorabilia. Room one is a permanent Camp Sherman exhibit that focuses on the cantonment north of Chillicothe 1917 – 1921. Room two is a temporary exhibit on loan from a private collector.
This exhibit shows how men from Camp Sherman’s 83rd Infantry Division, upon arriving in France, were converted into a “depot” unit. This resulted in their being temporarily use to process incoming equipment and goods until they were individually reassigned to other front line units as replacements. This exhibit also compares the American soldier’s issued gear with a German soldier’s issues. This is a “must see” for the military history buff.
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