The National WWI Museum and Memorial in Kansas City is hosting a variety of FREE events over Memorial Day Weekend to honor and recognize the men and women who sacrificed their lives while serving their country.
Museum Admission
All weekend (May 23-26), admission to the museum and memorial is FREE for veterans and active duty military members. General admission for the public is half price.
See here for operating hours, admission prices and other visiting guidelines.
Don’t miss our post Kansas City Memorial Day Weekend Fun, Discounts & Freebies.
Memorial Day Weekend Events and Displays
The Museum and Memorial offers a wide variety of events during the weekend for people of all ages.
World War I Research Stations
When: During Museum hours, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Outside Auditorium Lobby
What: Find your connection to World War I during Memorial Day weekend through research stations at the Museum. With access to multiple databases including Fold3.com, Ancestry.com, the Museum and Memorial’s online collections database, the American Battlefield Monuments Commission, and the National Archives, discover how the Great War affected your family through records, photographs, and much more. FREE to the public.
Flags of Forgotten Soldiers Display
When: Monday, May 12 – Tuesday, May 27
Where: Walkway Terrace near Main Entrance
What: The Department of Veterans Affairs reports that every 72 minutes, a servicemember takes their own life. This moving display of 140 U.S. flags calls attention to the fact that 140 veterans are lost to suicide every week. FREE to the public.
Honoring Service Flag Display
When: Friday, May 23 – Monday, May 26
Where: Mall and Southeast Lawn
What: These flags represent the involvement of U.S. military divisions in the WWI, WWII, Korean and Vietnam wars, as well as other more recent military conflicts. Unit colors were originally used to mark location through the smoke of battle. Not needed for that purpose since the Civil War, colors now have symbolic meaning embodying the history and heart of each unit. FREE to the public.
Film Screening and Conversation: “SHEEPDOG”
When: Saturday, May 24, 1 p.m.
Where: Auditorium
What: Inspired by real stories of redemption and recovery, “SHEEPDOG” follows one combat veteran’s journey toward healing. After the screening, join us for a discussion with writer-director Steven Grayhm and co-star Matt Dallas. Free with RSVP. Register for the event
Military Vehicle Display
When: Saturday, May 24 – Sunday, May 25
Where: Southeast Lawn
What: The Military Vehicle Preservation Association (MVPA) will display vintage military vehicles from World War I, World War II, Korean War and Operation Desert Storm. MVPA members will be available to answer questions about their collection. Availability subject to weather. FREE to the public.
Vietnam Era Bell UH-1 Iroquois “Huey” Helicopter Display
When: Saturday, May 24 – Sunday, May 25
Where: U-shaped Drive
What: The Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter #243 will provide an iconic Bell UH-1 Iroquois “Huey” helicopter for people to climb aboard and inspect. FREE to the public.
WW1USA Amateur Radio Station
When: Monday, May 26, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Southeast Lawn
What: The Museum and Memorial is teaming with area amateur radio operators to host special event station WW1USA. During this time, station operators will contact hundreds of other amateur radio operators across the world. Are you a short-wave radio operator? Join us! FREE to the public.
Memorial Day Ceremony
When: Monday, May 26, 10 a.m.
Where: Memorial Courtyard
What: A formal public program to include remarks from dignitaries and a keynote address from Major General (Ret.) William Razz Waff. He served for 39 years in the United States Army and Army Reserve and retired as Department of the Army Deputy G1 and Chairman of the Army Reserve Forces Policy Committee. ASL interpretation will be provided for the ceremony. FREE to the public | Onsite and online
Memorial Day Bell Tolling Ceremony
When: Monday, May 26, Noon
Where: Memorial Courtyard
What: We commemorate those who made the ultimate sacrifice with a bell tolling ceremony featuring a presentation of colors, a wreath laying and a moving reading. It was also tolled 11 times at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, 1926 during the dedication ceremony of the Liberty Memorial and again on Nov. 11, 2018 to commemorate the centennial of the WWI armistice. FREE to the public.
Walk of Honor Dedication
When: Monday, May 26, 2 p.m.
Where: Auditorium
What: New Walk of Honor granite bricks will be dedicated during a special ceremony. The Walk of Honor includes bricks dedicated to those who served in World War I, to veterans of any military service and bricks honoring civilian friends, family or organizations. Bricks are dedicated each year during a Memorial Day ceremony. FREE to the public | Onsite and online
Trees of Remembrance
When: Monday, May 26, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Glass Bridge
What: In remembering, we can never forget. Commemorate the service and memory of a fallen soldier by adding their name to a poppy blossom, displayed on the branches of the Trees of Remembrance. FREE to the public.
National World War I Museum Memorial Location & Parking
The National World War I Museum Memorial is located in downtown Kansas City, Missouri at 2 Memorial Drive, Kansas City, MO 64108.
FREE parking is located on the south side of the museum in the u-shaped drive and in the West visitors lot.
RideKC (a.k.a, Kansas City Streetcar) has a stop across the street at Union Station (Main Street/27th Street). Just know that it’s about a quarter mile hike across the street and up a big hill to the museum entrance.
Don’t miss our post Kansas City Memorial Day Weekend Fun, Discounts & Freebies.
National World War I Museum and Memorial
2 Memorial Drive
Kansas City, MO 64108
816-888-8100
