National WWI Museum and Memorial, Kansas City (must see)
The ground was broken for the Kansas City WWI Memorial in 1921. Witnessed by more than 100,000 people, the ceremony was performed by the supreme Allied commanders. It was the first time that these five people had ever come together in the same place. The monument was dedicated in 1926 by President Calvin Coolidge. Congress officially named it the nation's WWI monument in 2004, at which time the grounds were expanded to build the Edward Jones Research Center. But as far back as opening day, President Coolidge had referred to it as the national monument to the Great War.
The central feature of the museum grounds is the National World War I Monument, the 265-foot tall Liberty Tower. Lighting effects make the top of the tower look like a flame is burning at night. The view from the tower's top of Union Station and downtown Kansas City is worth the trip alone. The museum grounds surround the tower, with two exhibit halls and two unseeing Sphinxes. The buildings and monuments are designed in the Eqyptian Revival method.
Why is the national WWI monument and museum located in Kansas City? Kansas City was experiencing a massive boom at the time the war broke out. It was that year, in 1914, that the city opened its new Union Station. During the war, grains and corn grown in the area were shipped overseas, and thousands of troops passed through Union Station on their way to deployments. The city felt deeply connected to the war effort, and when the armistice was signed in 1918, a huge victory parade filled the city's streets. Within weeks, city leaders and philanthropists had begun fundraising for the memorial.
Why You Should Visit:
- Two galleries highlight WWI鈥搊ne focuses on the war before the US entered, and the other focuses on the US's military and peacemaking efforts.
- The museum hosts many exhibits and memorabilia from the period, including a Model T ambulance and replica trenches. They have the world's most comprehensive collection of WWI artifacts.
- The museum and monument are dedicated to the soldiers who served in the war. Upon entry, you pass a field of 9,000 red poppies鈥攅ach poppy represents 1,000 soldiers' deaths.
Tips:
- Check out the museum's website for information on rotating exhibits, special events, and film screenings.
- The panoramic views from the top of the Liberty Monument are breath-taking. Take the time to appreciate the iconic buildings that make up Kansas City's skyline, including City Hall, Union Station, and the Power and Light Building.
- Don't miss grabbing lunch in the Over There Caf茅, where you can eat like a soldier, with decor that features flags and music from the time.
The central feature of the museum grounds is the National World War I Monument, the 265-foot tall Liberty Tower. Lighting effects make the top of the tower look like a flame is burning at night. The view from the tower's top of Union Station and downtown Kansas City is worth the trip alone. The museum grounds surround the tower, with two exhibit halls and two unseeing Sphinxes. The buildings and monuments are designed in the Eqyptian Revival method.
Why is the national WWI monument and museum located in Kansas City? Kansas City was experiencing a massive boom at the time the war broke out. It was that year, in 1914, that the city opened its new Union Station. During the war, grains and corn grown in the area were shipped overseas, and thousands of troops passed through Union Station on their way to deployments. The city felt deeply connected to the war effort, and when the armistice was signed in 1918, a huge victory parade filled the city's streets. Within weeks, city leaders and philanthropists had begun fundraising for the memorial.
Why You Should Visit:
- Two galleries highlight WWI鈥搊ne focuses on the war before the US entered, and the other focuses on the US's military and peacemaking efforts.
- The museum hosts many exhibits and memorabilia from the period, including a Model T ambulance and replica trenches. They have the world's most comprehensive collection of WWI artifacts.
- The museum and monument are dedicated to the soldiers who served in the war. Upon entry, you pass a field of 9,000 red poppies鈥攅ach poppy represents 1,000 soldiers' deaths.
Tips:
- Check out the museum's website for information on rotating exhibits, special events, and film screenings.
- The panoramic views from the top of the Liberty Monument are breath-taking. Take the time to appreciate the iconic buildings that make up Kansas City's skyline, including City Hall, Union Station, and the Power and Light Building.
- Don't miss grabbing lunch in the Over There Caf茅, where you can eat like a soldier, with decor that features flags and music from the time.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Kansas City. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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National WWI Museum and Memorial on Map
Sight Name: National WWI Museum and Memorial
Sight Location: Kansas City, USA (See walking tours in Kansas City)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Kansas City, USA (See walking tours in Kansas City)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Kansas City, Missouri
Create Your Own Walk in Kansas City
Creating your own self-guided walk in Kansas City is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Crossroads Art District Walking Tour
Situated at the intersection of creativity and culture, the Crossroads Arts District of Kansas City emerges as a thriving hub of artistic expression and cultural vitality. Formerly the industrial and warehouse area, today it is one of the trendiest art communities in the Midwest. As such, this enclave is the place where many progressive art spots have established themselves.
Among its notable... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles
Among its notable... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles
Kansas City Introduction Walking Tour
Kansas City, Missouri, started in the 1830s as a port city at the confluence of the Missouri and Kansas Rivers. The first European explorers to map the area were the French, who named the river 鈥淐ansez,鈥� which eventually morphed into Kansas.
Louis and Clark passed through in 1804, noting that the area was an excellent place to build a fort. The actual settlement didn鈥檛 come until later,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Louis and Clark passed through in 1804, noting that the area was an excellent place to build a fort. The actual settlement didn鈥檛 come until later,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Historical Buildings Tour
The historical buildings of Kansas City are truly remarkable, weaving a narrative of rich heritage and enduring elegance reflecting the city's eventful past and lasting beauty.
At its heart, the imposing Kansas City City Hall rises as a prime example of Neo-Classical and Beaux-Arts architecture, a stalwart symbol of civic pride that has stood the test of time.
As you stroll through the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
At its heart, the imposing Kansas City City Hall rises as a prime example of Neo-Classical and Beaux-Arts architecture, a stalwart symbol of civic pride that has stood the test of time.
As you stroll through the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles