Matthew Sedutto in front of the Wright Museum of World War II
For Matthew Sedutto, the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail has become a place to uncover history, share his research, and develop a passion for a potential future profession.
An Eagle Scout and history undergraduate at Norwich University, Sedutto will bring his World War II scouting research to the Millyard Museum in Manchester on November 21 at 11:00 a.m. The presentation connects three Trail members—the Lawrence L. Lee Scouting Museum and Max I. Silber Scouting Library, the Wright Museum of World War II, and now the Millyard Museum.
“We know what we could achieve if we learn what we have already done,” he said. “By learning about Scouting’s history, I hope to inspire future generations of Scouts to go outdoors and achieve similar greatness, go into their community and make an impact, and develop their leadership skills along the way.”
His talk explores the worldwide scouting movement during World War II, focusing on American Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts from 1939 to 1945.
“The research was mainly conducted throughout the Max I. Silber Scouting Library at the L.L. Lee Scouting Museum,” said Sedutto.
New Hampshire stories include a 1942 messenger test and 15 scouts’ participation in the 1944 Bretton Woods conference at the Mount Washington Hotel.
Scouting Exhibit at the Wright Museum
Sedutto presented his research at the Wright Museum in August. He especially valued having scouts in the audience and recognizing members of both museums who supported the project.
Through Norwich University’s honors program, he is now developing his research into an honors thesis. He plans to study domestic and foreign scouting archives next summer and hopes to present his findings at conferences.
Sedutto credits the Scouting Museum, Wright Museum, Norwich University, and his parents with supporting his work. Learning about 1940s scouts motivated him to earn Eagle Scout and join Norwich University’s Corps of Cadets.
“What these Scouts did during the War is a shared past we can all build off of,” he said. “That’s why I’m so motivated to share the history about it.”
The New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail connects the public with culturally rich heritage institutions across the Seacoast, Lakes Region, White Mountains, Dartmouth-Sunapee Region, and Merrimack Valley.