The USS Housatanic may not be a name immediately recognized by most today, but 100 years ago it was a name no one could forget.

Sunk by a German U-Boat, the Housatanic was arguably the last step that thrust the U.S into the midst of World War 1 in April of 1917.

To honor this 100-year anniversary of our involvement in one of the largest military conflicts this young country has been involved in, Waxhaw’s American Legion held a Look Back at History and Home event on October 20-21.

The event, held at the American Legion outpost just outside of town, was meant to give visitors a chance to browse local vendors, craftsmen, and history buff’s offerings under one roof. While the for-sale items ran the gamut from modern handicrafts to Civil War artifacts, shoppers were not disappointed.

Depression Glass

Depression Glass is glass product of the 1920’s – 1940’s America; hence, the name “Depression Glass”. Although it was born in a time of great struggle for the United States, it’s beauty is invaluable.

The Look Back at History and Home event displayed a wide offering of local collections of Depression Glass pieces, including some one-of-a-kind artwork made from Depression Glass by local craft workers. The variety of colors and styles of Depression Glass pieces make it remarkably easy to incorporate into any living space in an appealing way.

Jewelry

Costume jewelry, handmade pieces, and broaches have forever been popular with women. One can never had too many trinkets to adorn her outfits with, and many of the pieces found at the Look Back at History and Home event once belonged to ladies who waited for their men to return from their World War 1 deployment.

Browsing the cases, one could imagine the shiny glass decorations around the necks of ladies out on the town, with drawn-on pantyhoes, or pinning closed her scarf on a chilly evening, her lips decorated in the signature WWI era bright red lipstick.

Singer Sewing Machines Recycled

Singer has been a household name since well before our involvement in World War 1, but the housewife of those bygone years was translating her skills at the domestic machine into factory job for the first time ever as a result of the conflict.

The symbolism of this great change in American culture, from entirely home-based roles for women, into working girls, can be inconosized by the Singer Sewing Machine.

One of the most creative pieces for sale at Look Back at History and Home event were reinvention of abandoned Singers into miniature tractors. The quirky little designs with an inventive genesis drew attention of many a shoppers.

Thanks to the American Legion for reminding us of the rich culture, events and artifacts that make up our collective past as Americans with this exciting event.