On View Now
Calendar of the War: Vintage Prints by René Georges Hermann-Paul
A special exhibition from a recent acquisition to the museum collection is now open in Memory Hall: Calendar of the War: Vintage Prints by René Georges Hermann-Paul. The title of the exhibition comes from the artist himself. The exhibition features twelve images from the first calendar year of the war starting in August 1914 and additional images up to May 1916. René Georges Hermann-Paul, a French artist whose career started in the 1880s, graphically captured the wide variety of images, events, and people of the World War. The artist created his first woodcuts during this period, works in both black-and-white and color. He carved the woodblocks and supervised the hand coloring. The medium helped accentuate the sparse, almost machine-like style and simplified forms that characterized his illustrations.
Friday, August 6
First Fridays at the Museum
Explore the Museum and Liberty Memorial Tower during extended evening hours until 9 p.m.
Sunday, August 8, Noon – 4 p.m.
Teacher Appreciation Day
The National World War I Museum will host a free museum admission day for all classroom teachers. Members of the Kansas City Museum Educators Roundtable, representing many of the area’s museums and historic sites, will be on-site to provide teachers with educational materials and information from their institutions. All educators will receive a 10% discount in the Museum Store. Please bring proper identification. For more information, call (816) 784-1926.
Sunday, August 22, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. 
Last day of Special Exhibition
Final day for the special exhibition, “The First World War in Color: Treasures from the National World War I Museum.”
Friday, September 3
New special exhibition: “Man and Machine: The German Soldier in World War I”
This special exhibition draws on the extensive collections of the Museum, including the recent Hauber donation of machine guns and related material. The exhibition will be told from the perspective of the German soldier and his leaders, featuring the machines of war and the men who used them. Most of the objects and documents will be on exhibit for the first time. The exhibition will run through 2011.
Friday, September 3
First Fridays at the Museum
Explore the Museum and Liberty Memorial Tower during extended evening hours until 9 p.m.
Monday, September 6
Special Monday Hours
Museum open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday, September 9, 7 p.m.
Free Event: Dramatic Reading of “Journey’s End”
Professionals from the Kansas City Actors Theater present a dramatic reading from one of the great plays to come from World War I. Playwright R. C. Sheriff set his 1928 drama in a British trench on the Western Front. The play recently enjoyed a successful revival on Broadway. This free event will be held in the Museum’s J.C. Nichols Auditorium.
Friday-Saturday, September 10 – 11
History conference: Joint National Seminar of the Western Front Association-U.S. Branch and the Great War Society
The theme of the conference is the armies of WWI. Hosted by the National World War I Museum, registration for this event can be made through either of these websites: www.wfa-usa.org and www.the-great-war-society.org.
Saturday, October 2, 1 p.m.
Free “Americans All” Lecture: The Role of German Americans During in the Great War
Dr. Walter Kamphoefner, Professor of History, Texas A&M University, will speak on the topic of German American soldiers in World War I. Led by German American John J. Pershing, a quarter of the men in uniform were of German ancestry. Book signing to follow. This series, which explores the important role American ethnic groups played during the Great War, is made possible by a grant from the Barton P. & Mary D. Cohen Charitable Trust and the Harry Portman Charitable Trust. This free event will be held in the Museum’s J.C. Nichols Auditorium.
Monday, October 11
Special Monday Hours
Museum open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Monday, October 11, 1 p.m. 
Free “Americans All” Lecture: The Role of Native Americans during WWI
Join the Museum for a free lecture on Columbus Day. Dr. William Meadows, Associate Professor of Anthropology, Missouri State University, Springfield, will draw on his long-time research on the fascinating role of Native Americans during WWI. Emphasis will be on the Choctaw codetalkers, the little known predecessors to their more famous Navajo counterparts in WWII. Book signing to follow. This free event will be held in the Museum’s J.C. Nichols Auditorium.
Saturday, October 16, 1 p.m.
Free movie: Paschendaele
This 2009 Canadian film portrays the passion, courage, dedication and heroism of thousands of Canadians who were sent to fight in the third battle of Ypres, commonly called Paschendaele. Starring and directed by Paul Gross. This special showing will feature an introduction of the film by Norman S. Leach, the film’s historical consultant. (Rated PG-13, 115 minutes) Part of “The Great War, The Great Movies” Film Series. This free event will be held in the Museum’s J.C. Nichols Auditorium.
Saturday, November 6, 1 p.m.
Free “Liberty for All” Lecture
Dr. Steve Trout, Professor of English, Fort Hays State University, will showcase his new book, On the Battlefield of Memory: First World War and American Remembrance, 1914-1941. Book signing to follow. This free event will be held in the Museum’s J.C. Nichols Auditorium.
Thursday, November 11, 10 a.m. 
Veterans Day Ceremony
Veterans Day will be commemorated at this special ceremony. The event includes performances by the American Legion Band and speeches to honor the significance of this important day. The ceremony concludes at 11 a.m. – a symbolic time on this special day – with the laying of a wreath. This free event takes place indoors in the J.C. Nichols Auditorium. The Museum is free for all visitors on Veterans Day.
Saturday, November 13, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Members-only Free Workshop: “Preserving Family Records”
Museum archivist Jonathan Casey and the staff of the National Archives in Kansas City will show members of the National World War I Museum how they can take care of precious family records. Includes a behind-the-scenes tour of the new National Archives facility near Union Station at 400 Pershing Road, where the workshop will be held. Box lunch from the Over There Café provided. Reservations required; call (816) 784-1912.
Thursday, November 25
Museum closed for Thanksgiving
Saturday, November 27, 1 p.m.
Free movie: Voices of a Never Ending Dawn
This film, produced and directed by Pamela Peak, presents the unheralded story of the “Polar Bears,” American soldiers who fought Bolsheviks in northern Russia and Siberia during the last days of World War I. The film will be introduced by Pamela Peak. DVD signing to follow. Running time 116 minutes. Part of “The Great War, The Great Movies” Film Series: 2010 theme of WWI documentaries. This free event will be held in the Museum’s J.C. Nichols Auditorium.
Sunday, December 19, 11 a.m/1 p.m.
Free Members-only Event: Brunch and a Movie
Special showing of Joyeux Noel (2005), the dramatic true story of the spontaneous 1914 Christmas Truce along the Western Front. Stars Diane Kruger (from the films Troy and National Treasure), Benno Fermann (Speed Racer), and Gary Lewis (The Gangs of New York). (PG-13 rated; subtitles; 116 minutes.) Reservations required; call (816) 784-1912.
Friday, December 24
Special Hour for Christmas Eve
Museum open from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Saturday, December 25
Museum Closed for Christmas Day
Sunday, December 26, 1 p.m.
Special Holiday Event: Free movie showing Joyeux Noel
Joyeux Noel, an annual holiday film tradition at the Museum. Introduced by Eli Paul, Vice President of Museum Programs. (PG-13 rated; subtitles; 116 minutes). This free event will be held in the Museum’s J.C. Nichols Auditorium.
Friday, December 31
Special Hours for New Years Eve
Museum open from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Museum closed for New Years Day