Soon after World War I ended, Kansas City leaders formed the Liberty Memorial Association (LMA) to create a lasting monument to the men and women who had served in the war. In 1919, the LMA and citizens of Kansas City raised more than $2.5 million in just 10 days. The equivalent of more than $45 million today, this staggering accomplishment reflected the passion of public sentiment for the Great War that had dramatically changed the world.
In 2004, the Museum and Memorial was designated by Congress as the nation’s official World War I Museum, and construction started on a new 80,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art museum and the Edward Jones Research Center underneath the Liberty Memorial. The National WWI Museum and Memorial opened in 2006 to national acclaim. In 2014, the Museum and Memorial received a second designation from Congress, effectively recognizing it as the National WWI Museum and Memorial.
Since then, a new special exhibition space was added in 2018 and a multi-year initiative to create a richer and more immersive visitor experience began in 2022. The initiative refreshes and expands the galleries through new stories, technology and immersive experiences, as well as increase access to the Museum and Memorial’s collection. These are the most expansive upgrades to the Museum and Memorial since its opening in 2006.
The Museum operates as non-profit organization dedicated to honoring those who served in the Great War by:
- Maintaining the Liberty Memorial as a beacon of freedom and a symbol of the courage, patriotism, sacrifice and honor of all who served in World War I
- Interpreting the history of World War I to encourage public involvement and informed decision-making
- Providing exhibitions and educational programs that engage diverse audiences
- Collecting and preserving historical materials with the highest professional standards to share the stories of the Great War through the eyes of those who lived it.
