The Story of The National WWI Museum & Memorial
Kansas City, with its strong community of entrepreneurs and a growing middle class, thrived economically in the early 20th century. The city's slogan at the time was "Make Kansas City a good place to live in." Little did they know, they were about to embark on a remarkable journey to commemorate the Great War that would forever change the world.
A Country at War
Post WWI Military Parade. Uniformed troops marching northward along Grand through a victory arch between 10th and 11th. Courtesy: MVSC.
The year was 1918, and the world was in the midst of World War I. While Kansas City had only lost 441 of its own in the war, the city was deeply affected by the global conflict. As the war raged on, the city was gearing up to celebrate the opening of the newly built Union Station in the summer of 1914.
Three years later, as the U.S. entered the war, Union Station became a central location for soldiers passing through for training and shipping off overseas. Men enlisted, women entered the labor force, and heartland-grown crops were sent to feed troops abroad. Kansas City's garment district produced essentials for soldiers, and Liberty bonds were sold to fund the war effort.
On November 11, 1918, the day the armistice was signed, Kansas City was in the midst of an influenza epidemic. Still, nearly 100,000 people flooded the streets of downtown for a victory parade. The city was primed to do something significant.
The Birth of a Monument
Construction began on July 5, 1923. Courtesy: The National World War I Museum and Memorial.
That something significant became the Liberty Memorial Project, which started construction on July 5, 1923. A group of visionary civic leaders led this endeavor, including real estate developer J.C. Nichols, the Armour family from the livestock industry, the Kemper family of bankers, and R.A. Long, a regional lumber baron, among others. The project aimed to not only honor the local soldiers who had sacrificed but also create a national monument to commemorate the Great War.
In 1919, during a 10-day fundraising campaign, 83,000 Kansas Citians collectively raised an astonishing $2.5 million (equivalent to about $35 million today) for the project. Even schoolchildren pitched in their nickels. This community-driven financing was a testament to the city's dedication and spirit.
What made Kansas City's monument unique was not only the quick, community-driven financing but also the grand scope of its design. Organizers held a national architecture competition, and in 1921, the land was dedicated to be across the street from Union Station, symbolizing the city's connection to the war effort.
A Legacy of Remembrance
Crowd listening to speakers at the base of the memorial. Courtesy: MVSC.
The grand opening celebration took place in 1926 when President Calvin Coolidge addressed a crowd of 100,000 people, declaring the memorial as the national monument to the Great War. The Liberty Memorial Tower, standing 217 feet tall, became a symbol of hope and remembrance. Four "guardian spirit" sculptures adorned the top of the tower, and at the base, two Assyrian sphinxes with wings shielding their faces represented memory and the future.
However, challenges lay ahead. The Great Depression and World War II disrupted the progress of other memorial projects across the country. The entire world was reshaped by the events of World War I, making the memorial's significance even more profound.
1961: Liberty Memorial Rededication with President Harry S. Truman (left). Courtesy: MVSC.
In the 1990s, the museum had to close temporarily for much-needed renovations. A new sales tax and fundraising efforts paved the way for updates to the memorial and a museum expansion. In 2004, Congress designated it as the National World War I Museum, and in 2014, it was declared America's World War I Memorial.
Today, the National World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City continues to stand as a testament to the city's dedication, spirit, and enduring commitment to ensure that the travesty of World War I is never forgotten. With over 600,000 visitors annually, it educates people from all over the world about the war's impact and the importance of striving for peace. Kansas City, a city with a rich history and a deep sense of community, remains the proud home of this remarkable national treasure.
Visitors can explore two main galleries, each containing exhibitions with period artifacts, including a Renault FT tank, uniforms such as Paul von Hindenburg's Model 1915 Field Jacket, a 1917 Harley-Davidson Model J motorcycle, a 1918 Ford Model T ambulance, and General John J. Pershing's headquarter flag. The museum also features munitions, maps, photographs, international propaganda posters, and even a replica trench that allows visitors to experience the harrowing conditions of World War I soldiers.
In addition to the artifact collections, the museum offers state-of-the-art interactive displays, sound booths with audio recordings of the period, and two theaters providing visitors with an educational narrative. The Edward Jones Research Center is a treasure trove of historical documents, carrying 75,000 archival documents, 9,500 library titles, and additional objects.
1961: Liberty Memorial Rededication. Courtesy: MVSC.
The Liberty Memorial stands as a beacon of remembrance and a testament to the enduring spirit of Kansas City. The journey from its inception in the aftermath of World War I to its present-day status as a national treasure reflects the resilience, dedication, and unwavering commitment of a community that sought to ensure that the lessons of history are never forgotten. Kansas City's Liberty Memorial and World War I Museum stand tall as a reminder of the past and a beacon of hope for a more peaceful future.