A look back in time: New exhibition showcases rediscovered World War I photos

The Durham Museum's new exhibition has a tie to Fremont.

The new exhibition, which opens Saturday, showcases photographs by Rudolph "Doc" Cook. His photos, which were rediscovered in a box bought at auction in 2019, provide a personal look into a soldier's life, beyond combat.

Sgt. Cook, a photographer who enlisted in 1917 to join the war effort, served with the 88th Infantry Division, 313th Engineers of Camp Dodge in Iowa and captured the company's experiences with his camera. Many of these images were published in Camp Dodge's newspaper, Camp Dodger, and official books detailing the conflict.

Instead of battles, the world through "Doc" Cook's lens included different training regimens for the American Expeditionary Forces, such as gas mask trials, boxing programs and bridge building. Overseas, Cook's images included war-torn structures, trenches, celebrations following Armistice Day and the reconstruction of a train line by the 313th Engineers.

A century later, local resident Mollie Anderson purchased a case that belonged to Cook. The case contained his original photographic negatives. After researching Cook's life and displaying some of the images at Fremont's Gallery 92 West in 2022, Anderson donated the collection to The Durham Museum.

"Beyond Combat: World War I Through the Lens of 'Doc' Cook" is a temporary exhibition developed by The Durham Museum. It will remain on display through Jan. 12, 2025.

In addition to Cook's photos, the exhibition also features loans from fellow institutions including the editor of Camp Dodge Lt. Laurence Fairall's uniform, copies of Camp Dodger and trench art (decorated artillery shells).

A small theater area featuring additional images invites visitors to linger and immerse themselves in the 313th Engineers' experience.

"This exhibition utilizes the images taken by Sgt. 'Doc' Cook during his military service to tell another story of the World War I experience," Chelsea Olmsted, curator at The Durham Museum, said in a news release. "Visitors get to see the various training methods for soldiers at Camp Dodge, the efforts that went into printing the Camp Dodger, the celebrations following armistice and more captured in a visual representation of this history."

In honor of Veterans Day, The Durham Museum will be offering free admission to veterans and their immediate family this Saturday and Sunday. Veterans also are invited to enjoy a free hot dog meal at The Durham's Soda Fountain both days.

Here's a look at other events taking place this weekend in Fremont and the surrounding area:

Midland theater production

Midland University will be presenting four performances of "Into the Woods," a Tony award winning musical by Stephen Sondheim.

Shows will take place Thursday through Sunday, Nov. 7-10 at the Kimmel Theatre on the Midland campus.

Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday with a 2 p.m. matinee showing on Sunday.

Tickets are available for $15 for adults and $12 for students, seniors, and Fremont Midland Entertainment Series members. Tickets can be purchased online at midlandu.edu/tickets or by calling the box office at 402-941-6399. The box office is open Monday-Friday from 12 to 3 p.m. Seating is limited, so early purchase is encouraged to secure a spot.

Directed by Dan Hays, Midland Director of Theater Activities, "Into the Woods" deals with themes of loss, growing up, resilience, and the relationships between parents and children through the lens of beloved fairy tales that intertwine to create a captivating, emotional, and overall entertaining performance.

"Sondheim is a genius." Hays said in a news release. "His lyrics are so incredibly clever in this production that I often use bits of his word choices when I am teaching. This show is amazing in that the first act is a complete show unto itself and has a very Disney-like happiness with everything ending 'happily ever after.' But the second act is much more Sondheim-like, and everything does not end happily ever after. It is a dark imagining of what follows a fairy tale. The show has been wonderful, difficult, and artistically satisfying."

This show has nothing that would be deemed "adult content," however, even though it centers around fairytales, it is not intended as theater for children.

Merry Market

Wahoo invites area residents to embrace the magic of the holiday season and attend Merry Market, an annual local shopping event which transforms Wahoo into a festive wonderland.

Local retailers will unveil their holiday inventory, host special guests and offer exclusive items and specials during the event.

Merry Market will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

"There's just something magical that we can offer in this event that touches all the senses," Kathryn Nygren, owner of Found & Flora flower shop, said in a press release. "This kind of immersive experience can't be found shopping online — but only when you shop local."

Merry Market also will feature a selection of local restaurants offering food and drink specials.

The event is hosted by the Wahoo Chamber of Commerce with support from several local sponsors. A welcome station downtown will be handing out Merry Market guidebooks with a map of all the participating stores as well as a list of Merry Market exclusive offerings from those shops and restaurants.

Turkey supper

St. Matthew Lutheran Church at 300 S. Second St. in Cedar Bluffs will be hosting a drive-thru only turkey supper from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday at the church.

Each meal includes turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, dressing, corn, sauerkraut, cranberry sauce, cherry fluff, roll and pie (choice of pumpkin, cherry or apple).

The meals are $15 for adults, $10 for children ages 5-10, and free for children under 5.