The Kansas Museum of History presents Captured: The Extraordinary Adventures of Colonel Hughes, a special exhibit in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of World War I.

Opening May 27, 2016

James Hughes is a man you won’t forget once you hear his story—one man from Topeka who witnessed two World Wars from the front lines. As a member of the Kansas National Guard in 1916 he was stationed on the Mexican Border with orders to capture Pancho Villa, a prominent Mexican Revolutionary general.  In 1918 he was in Belgium, Germany, and France with motorized heavy artillery. On April 9, 1942, he was in the Philippines, captured and force to endure life in four Japanese P.O.W. camps. His incredible story is told in this exhibit through the photographs he took before, during, and after World War I and the diary he kept while a P.O.W. In this 100th anniversary of WWI, there is no greater privilege than to bring you his life of extraordinary circumstances.

The Kansas WWI Centennial Committee is dedicated to promoting educational activities related to the First World War throughout the centennial commemoration period.