September 19th, 2019 by WCBC Radio

As part of Western Maryland Goes to War, a four-day timeline event honoring local soldiers from World War I to Desert Storm, the Downtown Cumberland Business Association (DCBA) is sponsoring a USO Style event on Saturday, September 28 from 11:30 am – 2:30 pm at the McCoury Family Stage on Baltimore Street.
 
As part of the event, a popular President Franklin D. Roosevelt impersonator will make a special appearance from 12 – 2:30 pm. The professional character actor previously appeared in Cumberland during the 2009 Cumberland Goes to War event.  He will be available for photos and a meet and greet.

Beginning at 11:30 am, DJ Mark Stevens will be playing big band music and tunes from the 30s, 40s and 50s on stage. Recreating a USO atmosphere, downtown visitors and residents can enjoy a free M&M Bake Shop donut. Johna Whetstone, a volunteer member of Western Maryland Goes to War committee and her period costumed team will be on board handing out the donuts.

The Allegany County Historical Society will be hosting a photo opportunity with FDR from 3 PM -5 PM at the Gordon Roberts House on Washington Street where their military collection will on display in the ballroom.
 

Also, on Saturday, 1 -3 pm, the Washington Street Library will offer a special free program, History in the Attic.  Western Maryland residents are invited to bring wartime related photos, documents or items to be photographed or scanned. Scanned and photographed items will then be added to the Western Maryland Historic Library website by Western Maryland Regional Library Digitization Librarian, Jill Craig.

Bring as much information about the photograph or document that you know ‘ “the who, what and when” of your materials.  Items that cannot be scanned, like helmets and medals, can be photographed and added to the collection.

The information will then be made available online Copies of the scanned items will be available via email, disc or flash drive. History in Your Attic is free and open to the community Questions about this event, should be directed to  Program Specialist Lindsay Lindsay at llindsay@alleganycountylibrary.info or 301-777-1200.