Which Poster Would You Choose?

Public Invited to Vote to Determine WWI Poster to be Featured Alongside Upcoming Exhibition at National World War I Museum and Memorial; Voting Begins Today

KANSAS CITY, MO – The National World War I Museum and Memorial holds the most comprehensive collection of Great War objects and documents in the world and its internally curated exhibitions are based on this expansive collection.

One of the most encompassing elements – and among the most popular with visitors – is the Museum’s collection of war posters from World War I. For the upcoming special exhibition Posters as Munitions, 1917, Museum Senior Curator Doran Cart faced the unenviable task of determining which posters to include among the hundreds in the collection.

This task eventually yielded a question applicable to anyone in the world: which poster would you choose?

Starting today through Tuesday, Jan. 31, the Museum is offering the opportunity for the public throughout the world to vote to choose a poster to be featured alongside the upcoming exhibition.

“This organization was founded because of the greater Kansas City community and it also relies on the generosity of patrons across the world, so it makes perfect sense to engage the public and offer this unique opportunity to choose a poster featured alongside the Posters as Munitions, 1917 exhibition,” said Dr. Matthew Naylor, President and CEO at the National World War I Museum and Memorial.

People can choose among five vivid, intriguing posters, all circulated in 1917:

French Bastille Day commemoration of the French Revolution

Great Britain Blue Cross Fund for wounded horses

French exposition of propaganda materials about German war crimes

U.S. Navy recruiting

French “One last effort and we will get them” showing the French/Allies climbing to pull down the German Eagle

Voting takes place at this link:

http://exhibitions.theworldwar.org/posters/

Each valid email address can contribute one vote and voting concludes at 11:59 p.m. CST on Tuesday, Jan. 31. The winning poster will be announced upon the completion of the contest and will be featured in the Posters as Munitions, 1917 special exhibition.

About Posters as Munitions, 1917

Feb. 21, 2017 – Feb. 18, 2018

Soon after the outset of World War I, the poster, previously the successful medium of commercial advertising was recognized as a means of spreading national propaganda with unlimited possibilities. Its value as an educational or stimulating influence was more and more appreciated. The poster could impress an idea quickly, vividly and lastingly. Posters as Munitions, 1917 showcases the depth and breadth of the collection through a series of works on exhibition for the first time at the Museum. Posters from France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, the United States and more are featured, providing a sense of the global nature of this form of communication.

About the National World War I Museum and Memorial

The National World War I Museum and Memorial is America’s leading institution dedicated to remembering, interpreting and understanding the Great War and its enduring impact on the global community. The Museum holds the most diverse collection of World War I objects and documents in the world and is the second-oldest public museum dedicated to preserving the objects, history and experiences of the war. The Museum takes visitors of all ages on an epic journey through a transformative period and shares deeply personal stories of courage, honor, patriotism and sacrifice. Designated by Congress as America’s official World War I Museum and Memorial and located in downtown Kansas City, Mo., the National World War I Museum and Memorial inspires thought, dialogue and learning to make the experiences of the Great War era meaningful and relevant for present and future generations. To learn more, visit theworldwar.org.