National WWI Museum and Memorial set to kick off summer

KANSAS CITY, MO. – The National WWI Museum and Memorial kicks off a busy summer season with the reopening of the Lower Level followed by Memorial Day commemorations.

The Lower Level of the Museum and Memorial will reopen on Friday, May 19 following a year of renovations. Featuring the Bergman Family Gallery and Open Storage Center, the renovation includes approximately 4,000 square feet of new storage and a 190-foot “coastline” of window cases that allows guests to view objects and artifacts otherwise behind closed doors. A preview event for media will take place on Tuesday, May 16 from 8-9 a.m. More information will follow next week.

The opening of the Lower Level kicks off a multi-year strategic effort, to be completed by 2025, to provide critical upgrades to Museum and Memorial spaces, make the Museum collection more accessible to the public and create a more immersive and rich visitor experience.

On Memorial Day weekend, Friday, May 26 – Monday, May 29, admission to the National WWI Museum and Memorial is free for veterans and active-duty military personnel, while general admission for the public is half-price all weekend. There will be a free public ceremony at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 29 as well as activities and programs all weekend long.

Also in May, the public is invited to the Midwest premiere of “Our Promise: 100 Years of the American Battle Monuments Commission,” a documentary celebrating the centennial of the agency’s lasting commitment to honor the service, achievements and sacrifice of U.S. Armed Forces who have been laid to rest on foreign soil – and the evolution of its mission into the next century. The premiere will take place on Friday, May 12 at 6 p.m. RSVP is required. A panel discussion will follow the film.

Hands on History returns on Fridays in May and one Wednesday, May 10, International Perspectives on Women in the Military will take place at 6 p.m. Marine Corps veteran Dr. Kyleanne Hunter will explore the evolution of women’s roles and experiences in militaries across the globe.

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.