City of Canvas

It's great to see how a friend takes a spark of an idea and creates something that educates others and enriches the present by illuminating the past.

When America entered WWI on April 6, 1917, there was a need to mobilize and train the troops. After much campaigning, Charlotte, NC., was selected by the military as the location for Camp Greene. The camp was built of wood and canvas in less than 90 days. From September 3, 1917 to June 30, 1919 there were from 30,000 to 60,000 men stationed at the camp. Think about the context of 30,000-60,000 men back in 1917-1919. Camp Green had its own stables, bakery, laundry, hospital, chapel, YMCA buildings, Knights of Columbus hall, water tower and post office.

Jack Dillard learned about Camp Greene in 1983 when he was writing a booklet for the 100th anniversary of Home Federal Savings and Loan in Charlotte. Sometime later he discovered a post card from the camp tucked in a book from a used bookstore. One post card discovery led to another item, and soon he was collecting Camp Greene photos and memorabilia. As Jack tells it, "Camp Greene's story found me and wouldn't let me go." Jack accumulated hundreds of pictures and other items relating to the camp, and eventually donated them to the Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room at the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.

But he also did something more with everything he learned and collected through the years. He gave us a visual story, “City of Canvas,” which offers a glimpse into Charlotte’s past and the training of soldiers for WWI. Watch "City of Canvas" at 9 PM EST on Friday, 11-11-11.

 Learn about Camp Greene
 Read from Soldier's Diary
 Link to Documenting the American South - North Carolinians and the Great War