Healing Wounded Soldiers Exhibition, Air Power and Winnie-the-Pooh at WWI Museum and Memorial this January

KANSAS CITY, MO. – Programs on policies developed to heal wounded World War I soldiers, the importance of air power during the war and the real-life story of Winnie-the-Pooh as well as the debut of a new special exhibition on fabric art during the Great War are among the January offerings at the National WWI Museum and Memorial.

“Remember Me.” “Souvenir de France.” “Mother Dear.” “Merci!” These and countless other sentiments are expressed in the fabric art that came from World War I. Romantic and patriotic scenes were created on silk and cotton and wool felt. Many of the objects were made in direct response to those loved ones going to war from every country. Others were made for commercial purposes to serve the clamor for souvenirs. Opening Tuesday, Jan. 29 in the Wylie Gallery, Color of Memory: Fabric Art in WWI explores expressions of remembrance through incredible objects from Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Russia and the United States, including decorative pillow cases, flags, tapestries, banners, maps and much more. Tickets start at $10 and are only $3 when combined with general admission to the Museum and Memorial.

The world was faced with unimaginable injury during WWI. Medical leaders and politicians around the globe created policies to help heal and rehabilitate the wounded. In the years following 1918, the U.S. Army expanded their focus on medicine to build infrastructure and recruit specialists to support veteran care, forever changing American medical practice. On Wednesday, Jan. 16 at 6 p.m., Dr. Sanders Marble, Senior Historian at U.S. Army Office of Medical History, discusses these efforts and how they transformed healing both inside and outside the military during a free program.

Friday, Jan. 18 marks National Winnie-the-Pooh Day across the country. On the following day (Saturday, Jan. 19 at 10:30 a.m.), the Museum and Memorial celebrates the real-life WWI bear who inspired the “tubby little cubby all stuffed with fluff” with a brief all-ages history chat on Winnie and a film screening of the recent Disney film Christopher Robin followed by cake and a family-friendly craft. Additional family-friendly programs during the month include Hands-on History in which guests are welcome to inspect and handle real WWI artifacts (Saturdays, 11 a.m.), the monthly Day in the Life program with Living Historians (Sunday, Jan. 13, all day) and the annual Homeschool Week in the Crown Center District event (Tuesday, Jan. 29 – Friday, Feb. 2) featuring special activities for the homeschool community.

The effects of air power on World War I were immense. On Thursday, Jan. 24 at 7 p.m., explore these impacts with four-time winner of the Thornton D. Hooper Award for Excellence in Aviation History and past president of the World War One Historical Association, Steve Suddaby, in a discussion on how air innovations influenced land and sea battles’ outcomes. The free event will be held at the Linda Hall Library.

Other events during the month include: Sip & Stretch: Pilates at the Museum (Tuesday, Jan. 22, 6:30 p.m.) and the screening of the critically-acclaimed French film Les Gardiennes (Tuesday, Jan. 29, 6:30 p.m.).

The National WWI Museum and Memorial holds the most comprehensive 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 personal experiences of the war.

January National WWI Museum and Memorial Events

About the National WWI Museum and Memorial

The National WWI 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 and Memorial holds the most comprehensive 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 and Memorial 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 WWI 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.