Newtown Historical Society, in partnership with the Museum of Connecticut Library of Hartford and the 2nd Company Governor’s Horse Guard, will host a World War One Commemoration & Encampment on Saturday, May 13.

The special event is scheduled for 9 am to 4 pm at the horse guard’s headquarters, 4 Wildlife Drive. The commemoration is being done in remembrance of the Connecticut soldiers who fought at Seicheprey, France.

Newtown Historical Society Board President Melissa Houston says the full-day event is free to the public “and a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the Great War.”

On April 20, 1918, American troops engaged in their first significant infantry battle of the war at Seicheprey, France. The US 26th Infantry Division, nicknamed the Yankee Division for the large number of soldiers from New England, was present at the battle. Connecticut’s 102nd Infantry Regiment lost 81 soldiers.

According to former State Historian Walt Woodward, the American unit that bore the brunt of the assault was the 102nd Regiment of the Yankee Division. The regiment was almost exclusively made up of Connecticut men who had never seen, let alone fought, a battle before.

Several accounts of the battle make special note of the extraordinary bravery of the 102nd Regiment, noting that even members of the military marching band and kitchen staff got involved in hand-to-hand combat.

Over the course of the war, 138 soldiers and sailors from Newtown served overseas.

The 26th Yankee Division WWI Living History Group will put up camp Friday and be interpreting history throughout the day Saturday. The encampment will have over 30 re-enactors representing a variety of roles including a working field kitchen, hospital tents, and Signal Corps.

Throughout the day, there will be homing pigeon and cavalry demonstrations. A WWI tank as well as other armaments will be on display.

Family friendly activities and hands-on exhibits will be set up outside the encampment including children’s crafts.

Food trucks will be available for visitors to eat under the pavilion just outside the encampment grounds.

A community tent will be open to give more information on how to volunteer with Newtown Historical Society and 2nd Company Governor’s Horse Guard. Both organizations will have displays about Newtown’s involvement in WWI, offering a great opportunity to connect with the town’s local history.

Local schools and universities, who have been working on artifacts from the battlefield, will also be present to discuss their research and findings. For more information send an e-mail to CTinWWI@ct.gov.