Interview with Matthew McCoy 

Rhode Island's Doughboy Roadshow!

By Nicole Renna
Staff Writer, United States World War One Centennial Commission

There was a Doughboy Roadshow event in Rhode Island! Created by Rhode Island World War I Centennial Commission Commissioner Matthew McCoy, this remarkable event was designed to introduce the public to historical appraisers and experts, who could help them correctly identify, and appraise, their World War I-related artifacts and documents. There were also genealogists and archivists who helped people with their research on the World War I veterans in their family tree. The event, similar to a combined “Antiques Roadshow” and “Genealogy Roadshow,” two popular PBS television shows, was held on Saturday, March 10, at the Rhode Island Historical Society. People from all over the area brought World War I-related items for identification, and a free informal, non-binding, appraisal. We talked to Matthew McCoy about the event, and about his efforts with the Centennial Commission in Rhode Island.

How did you first become interested and involved in WWI history?

I've always been interested in military history, but primarily World War I and II.

Do you have a personal connection to the war?

Matthew McCoyYes, Both my paternal grandfather and great uncle served overseas with the American Expeditionary Force during World War I. My paternal grandfather was an artillery officer. He served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 129th Field Artillery, 60th Field Artillery Brigade, 35th Division (National Guard), with Harry S. Truman. My paternal great uncle was an infantry officer who served as a 1st Lieutenant with the 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Brigade, 1st Division (Regular Army), American Expeditionary Force. He was severely wounded on July 19, 1918, while leading his 37mm (One-Pounder) gun platoon near Chaudun, Aisne, France, during the Sencond Battle of the Marne. Both are buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.

What was the goal of the Doughboy Roadshow and why is it an important one?

The primary goal of Doughboy Roadshow was to get the public to bring in World War I artifacts in their possession and provide a means to preserve them digitally. Secondary goals were to help them identify what they had and to help them find the genealogical resources needed to research the World War I veterans in their family tree. This was important because on of the missions of the Rhode Island World War Once Centennial Commission (RIWW1CC) is to educate the public on the service and sacrifice of our nation's World War I veterans, specifically those from Rhode Island. I think that our event was successful. We hope to have a second event in the Summer/Fall 2018 time frame.

What was the organization for the Roadshow like?

The Doughboy Roadshow event was planned by the Rhode Island World War One Centennial Commission (RIWW1CC), which includes the Rhode Island Historical Society (RIHS); the Connecticut State Library, funded by a National Endowment for the Humanities Grant; and the Pritzker Military Museum and Library (PMML), which agreed to be the recipient of the digital artifacts from the Doughboy Roadshow event.

Were there any difficulties or roadblocks in making it happen?

Yes, there were several. They were: (1) lack of funding, and (2) archival collection management policies. The RIWW1CC was created without any public funding. All World War I centennial events planned and executed by the RIWW1CC have been conducted through voluntary donations. Regarding the second issue, the collection management policies of the Rhode Island Historical Society (RIHS), Rhode Island State Archives (RISA), Rhode Island State Library (RISL) and other archives or libraries within Rhode Island did not include any provisions for receiving digital materials such as those produced during the Doughboy Roadshow event. The Connecticut State Library and Pritzker Military Museum and Library (PMML) were able to craft a digital rights agreement that allowed the digital artifacts produced by the event to go to the PMML.

Was it similar or different in any way to previous projects you’ve worked on?

No.

What were some of the highlights in the Doughboy Roadshow for you?

The entire event was fantastic. We had a man bring in a World War I era dog tag that he found while gardening. [Note: we were later able to document the service of the service member]. We had a man bring in a collection of hand annotated U.S. Army maps from key battles in which Americans participated.

Are there any other events coming up that you would like to mention?

The next key event is the re-dedication of the Miantonomi Memorial Tower in Newport, Rhode Island, on Monday, May 28, 2018. The restoration of this World War I monument was funded, in part, by a USWW1CC 100 Cities/100 Memorials grant. The two plaques on the monument list the names of 56 men from the city of Newport who died during the war. Some of the men fought for the British and Canadian military. The wife of Admiral William S. Sims, was the chairman of the commission responsible for the erection of the monument in 1929. We are also planning our Armistice Day events.

Nicole Renna is a Spring 2018 Intern with the U.S. World War One Centennial Commission.