The Jefferson Historical Society Presents Letters from the Front The Story of Carl Skidmore

JEFFERSON — The Jefferson Historical Society will present a dramatic reading of letters sent to and from Carl Skidmore during his service in France in World War I.

Carl Skidmore grew up in Jefferson’s Clapper Hollow and joined the U.S. Marine Corps in April 1918. He completed basic training at Parris Island, South Carolina, with additional instruction at Quantico, Virginia.

En route to France, the troop transport ship carrying Carl—the USS Henderson—caught fire, and all aboard were safely transferred to the USS Von Steuben. Once in Europe, Carl fought bravely in the Saint-Mihiel offensive and was later cited for bravery following the Battle of Blanc Mont Ridge. Toward the end of the war, he took part in the Battle of the Argonne Forest, the largest and deadliest campaign in American military history, involving more than one million troops from the American Expeditionary Forces.

During his time overseas, Carl exchanged many heartfelt letters with family and friends back home. His family preserved these letters, along with an extensive collection of materials documenting his service. Using this archive, Jefferson Historical Society members Stephanie Ruquet and Kevin Berner compiled a book chronicling Carl’s life, which serves as the basis for this presentation.

The dramatic reading, produced by Regina Larkin and Nick Petron, will feature Bob Glas as narrator and John Ruquet portraying Carl Skidmore. Additional readers include Bonnie Dailey, David Savatteri, Kevin Berner, Paul Trotta, Nick Petron, and Shannon Finn.

The event will be held on Sunday, October 26, at 3:00 p.m. in Judd Hall, located at 163 Main Street, Jefferson. Admission is free and open to the public.

Following the performance, visitors are invited to tour the Nicholas J. Juried Museum of Jefferson History, located upstairs in Judd Hall. The museum features a World War I exhibit and a collection of Carl Skidmore’s personal items from his service in France.

Join us for this special event and experience the powerful story of a local hero through the words he and his loved ones shared more than a century ago.