National World War I Museum and Memorial facts for kids
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Intersections, 2017 logo
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| Established | November 11, 1926 |
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| Location | Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. |
| Public transit access | Streetcar, bus |
| Nearest parking | Onsite (no charge) |
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National World War I Museum and Memorial
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Museum in the Kansas City skyline
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| Built | 1926 |
| Architect | Harold Van Buren Magonigle, Westlake Construction Company George Kessler, landscape architect |
| Architectural style | Beaux Arts Classicism, Egyptian Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 00001148 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | September 20, 2006 |
| Designated NHL | September 20, 2006 |
The National World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri is a special place that opened in 1926. It was first called the Liberty Memorial. In 2004, the United States Congress officially named it the country's main war memorial and museum for World War I. A non-profit group works with Kansas City to run it.
The museum teaches about global events from before 1914, when World War I started, all the way through the end of the war in 1918 and the peace talks in 1919. When you visit, you walk across a glass bridge over a field of 9,000 red poppies. Each poppy reminds us of 1,000 soldiers who died in the war. The museum was closed for updates in 1994 and reopened in 2006 with more space for its amazing collection of items that began in 1920.
Contents
History of the Memorial
How it Began
Soon after World War I ended, a group of 40 important people in Kansas City decided to build a memorial. They wanted to honor everyone who served in the war. They formed the Liberty Memorial Association (LMA). A rich businessman named Robert A. Long became their president and gave a lot of money. Other key people like J. C. Nichols and William Volker helped get the land. George Kessler designed the outdoor areas.
In 1919, the LMA asked people for money. In less than two weeks, 83,000 people gave over $2.5 million! This showed how much people loved their country and wanted to remember the soldiers. This quick fundraising helped avoid money problems that other memorials, like the Bunker Hill Monument, had faced.
Special Dedications
The first ceremony to start building the memorial happened on November 1, 1921. About 200,000 people came, including important leaders from different countries. Vice President Calvin Coolidge was there, along with generals and admirals from Belgium, Great Britain, Italy, France, and the United States.
A local veteran, Harry S. Truman, who later became the 33rd President of the United States, presented flags to the commanders. The finished memorial was officially opened on November 11, 1926, by President Coolidge. Queen Marie of Romania was also present. President Coolidge said the memorial was built to celebrate "peace and liberty" that came from the war.
Updates and Renovations
In 1935, special carvings called bas reliefs were added. These showed the important military leaders who were at the groundbreaking ceremony.
In 1961, former President Harry S. Truman rededicated the monument. Local groups helped restore the memorial, which was starting to show its age. On November 11, 1961, 15,000 people watched Truman lead the ceremony.
By 1994, the memorial had to close because of safety worries. There were problems with drainage and the building's structure. While it was closed, local shopping malls helped display some of the museum's collection. In 1998, Kansas City voters approved a special sales tax to help pay for repairs.
Plans were made to make the site bigger and add a new museum to hold the growing collection of artifacts. With support from all over the world, $102 million was raised. The museum reopened in 2006. In 2004, the U.S. Congress named it the nation's official World War I museum. A new 80,000 square foot expansion was built underground. On September 20, 2006, the Liberty Memorial was named a National Historic Landmark.
Another big renovation, costing about $5 million, began in 2011. This included making the building more energy-efficient and fixing the flame effect on top of the tower. The flame was relit in February 2013. Security was also improved, and some parts of the stone exterior were repaired.
A new area called the Wylie Gallery was planned for 2018. It uses unused space in the museum and holds traveling exhibits from around the world. This was part of a $6.4 million upgrade.
Official Name Change
On December 19, 2014, President Barack Obama signed a law that officially recognized the site as a "World War I Museum and Memorial." This changed the name of the entire place to the National World War I Museum and Memorial.
Design and Features
The design of the memorial was chosen through a national competition. The winning design came from New York architect Harold Van Buren Magonigle.
Liberty Tower
The main entrance doors are made of fancy bronze. The walls inside are made of special stone from Minnesota and Italy. At night, the top of the 217-foot-tall tower looks like it's on fire! Steam and bright red and orange lights create the illusion of a burning pyre, which can be seen from far away. The whole memorial stands 265 feet above the ground around it.
The tower has four huge sculptures on top, called the Guardian Spirits. They are 40 feet tall and were carved by Robert Aitken. Each one holds a sword and represents a good quality: Honor, Courage, Patriotism, and Sacrifice. They are like protectors of peace.
Outside Buildings
The tower and other buildings are designed in an old style called Egyptian Revival architecture. They are made of limestone. On opposite sides of the main deck are Exhibition Hall and Memory Hall. Memory Hall has large paintings that were originally made for a famous building in Paris.
Between each hall and the tower, above the museum entrance, are two stone sphinxes. They are called "Memory" and "Future." They cover their faces with their wings. Memory faces East, as if shielding its eyes from the terrible battlefields of Europe. Future faces West, covering its eyes from a future that hasn't happened yet.
Main Museum Building
The underground part of the museum was designed to expand the original space. On the north side of the museum, below the Liberty tower, there is a large piece of art on the wall. You can see it from the nearby Union Station.
Grounds and Walkways
The outdoor areas were designed by George Kessler. He is also known for designing Kansas City's park and boulevard system.
Just outside the museum entrance is a large oval fountain. On each side, stairs go up to the memorial deck. The path from the south has the Walk of Honor. This is a series of engraved bricks that remember veterans of World War I, veterans of all wars, and important civilians.
What You Can See at the Museum
The museum has many interesting things for visitors:
- Two Main Galleries: These galleries have exhibitions with real items from the time period. The first gallery shows how the Great War started before the U.S. joined. The second gallery focuses on America's role in the war and efforts for peace.
- Some items you can see include:
- A Renault FT tank
- Uniforms, like Paul von Hindenburg's jacket
- A 1917 Harley-Davidson motorcycle
- A 1918 Ford Model T ambulance
- General John J. Pershing's headquarter flag
- Weapons and ammunition
- Maps and photographs
- International propaganda posters
- Replica trenches
- Modern interactive displays
- Sound booths with audio recordings from the war
- Some items you can see include:
- Two Theaters: These theaters show educational films. One is before the first gallery, and a larger one is passed through to enter the second gallery.
- Edward Jones Research Center: This center has 75,000 historical documents, 9,500 library items, and other objects for people to study.
- R.A. Long Education Center: This is a room used for meetings and classes.
- J.C. Nichols Auditorium: A hall for special events.
- The Over There Café: A cafe with flags, music, art, and food inspired by the people and places of World War I.
- Museum Store: A shop where you can buy souvenirs.
See also
