War Pigeons: Winged Couriers in the U.S. Military, 1878-1957

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Lecture by the author Elizabeth G. Macalaster

War Pigeons traces the remarkable service of homing pigeons in the U.S. Military, from its beginnings after the Civil War to the birds’ invaluable communications role in every branch of the U.S. military through two world wars and beyond.  For 75 years, through four wars on four continents, these one-pound birds were the military’s most reliable means of communication, carrying messages in and out of gas, smoke, exploding bombs and gunfire.  They flew through jungles, across deserts, mountains and large expanses of ocean.  Sometimes they arrived at their lofts nearly dead from wounds or exhaustion, but they got their messages through.

The pigeon service in the U.S. was shut down in 1957, but given the increasing threat of cyberattacks, should the military restart a feathered branch?

Elizabeth Macalaster started her career as a marine biologist.  She turned to science journalism and worked for the U.S. Department of Interior and EPA on water quality issues.  Elizabeth now writes primarily science and history articles for newspapers and magazines.  Elizabeth is the author of Reckoning At Harts Pass, an adventure/thriller in which homing pigeons play a covert role.  Elizabeth lives with her husband on the coast of Maine where she likes to hike, row and watch land and seabirds.

Books can be purchased online at Amazon to bring with you and have signed by the author.

Admission is $5.00 for members and $10.00 for non-members. Please use the form below or call 603-569-1212 for reservations as seated is limited. Museum doors open at 6pm program begins at 7pm.

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