On Veterans Day, Kansas City celebrated a historic milestone as the National World War I Museum and Memorial turned 100 years old. Originally opened as the Liberty Memorial by President Calvin Coolidge on November 11, 1926, the museum continues to serve as a powerful reminder of the human cost of conflict and the enduring spirit of service.
Remembering the Past, Inspiring the Future
John Hosler, a military‑history professor at Fort Leavenworth’s Command and General Staff College, described the museum’s mission: “One of the things about a museum like this is to constantly remember the massive human cost of conflict. It’s crucial that we remember the sacrifice of the past, and Veterans Day is one of the great opportunities we have, along with Memorial Day, to remember that.”
Hosler added that the Liberty Memorial is an integral part of Kansas City’s skyline, saying, “It’s kind of hard to imagine Kansas City without it.” Visitors echoed his sentiment, noting the museum’s modern appearance despite its century‑old foundation. Seattle resident John Padgett, who traveled to Kansas City to visit his mother, said, “It looks brand new. I didn’t know it was 100 years old. I learned so much, and it’s a beautiful facility.”
Leadership Looks Ahead
Matthew Naylor, the museum’s president and CEO, framed the centennial as a call to shared responsibility: “This place reminds us that we have a shared responsibility to be in service to one another, so that we can experience the sort of life that we would yearn for.” He expressed confidence in the next hundred years, stating, “I’m very confident this next century is going to present fabulous opportunities for us to serve the people of Kansas City, and for the people of Kansas City to claim this, continue to claim this as their own.”
Community Partnerships and Economic Impact
Local hotelier Doug Gamble highlighted a new revenue‑sharing partnership that benefits both the museum and nearby nonprofits. A portion of bookings referred by the museum to the Spark by Hilton Kansas City Streetcar Plaza is donated back to community causes. “If you have not been here and visited, you are doing yourself a disservice,” Gamble said, noting that roughly 80% of the museum’s 200,000 annual visitors come from beyond a five‑mile radius, making it a significant draw for tourism and local businesses.
Centennial Ceremonies
The centennial ceremony began Wednesday at 10 a.m., featuring a keynote address from Lt. Gen. Jim P. Isenhower III, Commanding General of the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center at Fort Leavenworth. The event also marked the final evenings of the Liberty’s Beacon artistic light installation, best viewed from the north lawn between 6 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday.
In recognition of the museum’s dedication to veterans, active‑duty service members and military veterans receive free admission, while the general public enjoys a 50% discount.
Why It Matters to Kansas City Residents
Beyond honoring history, the museum’s centennial underscores Kansas City’s commitment to preserving cultural heritage, supporting tourism, and fostering community pride. As the city continues to grow, institutions like the National World War I Museum and Memorial provide a tangible link to the values of sacrifice, service, and shared responsibility that have long defined the region.
Original reporting: KSHB 41 Kansas City (local) — read the source article.
