Marking 100 Years

Built by Kansas Citians, Embraced by the Nation

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 $49 million today, this staggering accomplishment reflected the passion of public sentiment for the Great War that had dramatically changed the world.

President Calvin Coolidge dedicated the Liberty Memorial in 1926.

Black and white photo of a white man in a suit standing at a podium on a large canopied platform. — President Calvin Coolidge at the speaker's podium during the 1926 Liberty Memorial dedication. *Object ID: LMA.236 →*

“It [The Liberty Memorial] has not been raised to commemorate war and victory, but rather the results of war and victory which are embodied in peace and liberty…. Today I return in order that I may place the official sanction of the national government upon one of the most elaborate and impressive memorials that adorn our country. The magnitude of this memorial, and the broad base of popular support on which it rests, can scarcely fail to excite national wonder and admiration.”

— Liberty Memorial Dedication Speech, President Calvin Coolidge, Nov. 11, 1926

Letter from the CEO

Our Story

Honorary Committee

Centennial Supporters

Letter from the CEO

Over the years, President Coolidge’s words have proven prophetic. As we observe the centennial of the dedication of the Memorial in 2026, it stands as the global epicenter of remembrance, education and discourse surrounding the Great War. Its place has been secured over the years by the dedication and resilience of Kansas Citians and supporters from around the country and world. Having surmounted some difficult years in the 1990s, it has emerged stronger – gaining national status; building a nationally designated and widely recognized museum within its structure; and hosting more than 1 million visitors annually, as well as countless events, dignitaries and exhibitions.

The Centennial is more than a milestone. It’s a chance to remember, reflect, connect and recommit. It’s a call to stand together as storytellers, stewards and citizens to advance this legacy with purpose – into classrooms, conversations and communities around the world.

For the National WWI Museum and Memorial, and for all, it is a time to Remember Forward. The next chapter starts with us.

Matthew Naylor, PhD, CFRE
President and CEO, National WWI Museum and Memorial

Faded vintage color photograph of Liberty Memorial Tower, Memory Hall and Exhibit Hall. — An undated postcard with a color photograph of the Liberty Memorial. From the historic collection of the Liberty Memorial Association. *Object ID: LMA.338 →*

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A Century Ago

In 1921, more than 100,000 people gathered to see the supreme Allied commanders dedicate the site of the Liberty Memorial. This was the first time in history these five leaders were together in one place.

Construction on the classical Egyptian Revival-style monument was completed in 1926 and the Liberty Memorial was dedicated by President Calvin Coolidge in front of more than 150,000 people.

Sepia panorama of a large crowd filling the mall in front of the Liberty Memorial. — Photograph of the dedication of the Liberty Memorial taken Nov. 11, 1926. Taken from south end of mall, looking toward the Memorial, showing crowd in attendance. *Object ID: 1927.9.1 →*

Vintage color photograph of a large crowd filling the mall in front of the Liberty Memorial. — Color photograph postcard of the 1961 rededication of Liberty Memorial. *Object ID: 1977.29.37 →*

In the years following its unveiling, the Liberty Memorial proved to be a dynamic addition to Kansas City’s cultural offerings. Over time, however, the physical structure of the Liberty Memorial deteriorated, and it was closed in 1994 due to safety concerns.

Once again, Kansas Citians voiced their support for the Liberty Memorial and in 1998, they passed a limited-run sales tax to support the restoration. In addition to revitalizing the Memorial, plans took shape to expand the site by building a museum to better showcase the WWI-related objects and documents the LMA had been collecting since 1920.

Thanks to the support of the City of Kansas City, the State of Missouri, the United States Government, and generous individual donors, more than $102 million was raised for the restoration and expansion.

Scan of a bumper sticker. Image: graphic of Liberty Memorial Tower. Text: 'I HELPED SAVE LIBERTY MEMORIAL' — Undated bumper sticker. *Object ID: LMA.archives.505 →*

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 Liberty Memorial was designated a National Historic Landmark on Sept. 20, 2006, recognizing the monument as a nationally significant historic property. It is a distinction given to less than 40 historic properties in Missouri and slightly more than 2,500 in the United States.

The National WWI Museum and Memorial opened in 2006 to national acclaim. Since then, millions have visited, including former Vice President Dick Cheney, General Colin Powell, President Barack Obama (as a presidential candidate in 2008), President Joe Biden (as a presidential candidate in 2020), Senator John McCain, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, and actor and singer Kevin Costner. Additionally, Frank Buckles, America's last surviving WWI veteran, visited the Museum and Memorial over Memorial Day weekend in 2008.

An elderly white man wearing a suit and a medal around his neck is seated in front of a museum exhibit of a WWI tank. — Frank Buckles at the Museum and Memorial in 2008.

In 2014, the Museum and Memorial received a second designation from Congress, effectively recognizing it as the National WWI Museum and Memorial.

“The National WWI Museum and Memorial is America's museum dedicated to remembering, interpreting and understanding the Great War and its enduring impact on the global community.”

— Mission Statement, National WWI Museum and Memorial

Modern photograph of the Liberty Memorial Tower, Great Frieze and North Terrace Wall taken from high above the North Lawn. The Tower is covered in projections of poppies. More poppies plus text and pictures are projected onto the North Terrace Wall on either side of the Great Frieze. — A special ephemeral art installation, “Horizons,” projected onto Liberty Memorial Tower and the North Terrace wall during April 25-29, 2023. *Learn more →*

Today, the Museum and Memorial operates as a non-profit organization dedicated to honoring those who served in the Great War by:

Modern photograph of a soaring aerial view of the Liberty Memorial Tower, Memorial Courtyard, Memory and Exhibit Halls and the Kansas City skyline beyond.

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.

Photograph of museum guests watching a video of a person dressed as a WWI soldier

Interpreting the history of World War I to encourage public involvement and informed decision-making.

Three young Black learners leaning over a touch screen table with a battlefield scene on it

Providing exhibitions and educational programs that engage diverse audiences.

A short-haired white woman wearing latex gloves places artifacts on a glass display shelf

Collecting and preserving historical materials with the highest professional standards.

Envisioning a Lasting Monument

November 11, 1918

Guns Are Silenced

An Armistice is declared to end the fighting in World War I.
November 25, 1918

Envisioning a Lasting Monument

Just two weeks after the Armistice, Kansas City leaders meet to discuss the need for the creation of a lasting monument to the men and women who had served in the War, and most notably to those who had died.

“From its inception it was intended that this Memorial should represent on the part of all people, a living expression for all time of the gratitude of a grateful people to those who offered and who gave their lives in defense of liberty and our country.”

- R. A. Long, founding president of the Liberty Memorial Association
October 27, 1919 — November 5, 1919

Kansas Citians Band Together

A community-based fundraising drive, organized and led by the Liberty Memorial Association, raises more than $2.5 million in just ten days. This staggering accomplishment for the time reflected the passion of public sentiment for the Great War that had dramatically changed the world.
October 14, 1920

Who Will Design?

The Kansas City Chapter of the American Institute of Architects holds a national architectural competition to choose a design for the Memorial.
June 28, 1921

And the Winner Is…

The competition results in the selected design by architect H. Van Buren Magonigle.
November 1, 1921

Site Dedication Day

The site for the Liberty Memorial is dedicated in front of a crowd of more than 100,000 people. In attendance are the main Allied commanders: Lieutenant General Baron Jacques of Belgium; General Armando Diaz of Italy; Marshal Ferdinand Foch of France; General John J. Pershing of the United States; and Admiral Lord David Beatty of Great Britain. This is the first time in history these leaders are together in one place.
November 11, 1926

Memorial is Completed

After three years of construction, the Liberty Memorial is completed. President Calvin Coolidge delivers the dedication speech to a crowd of 150,000 people.
November 6, 1935

Dedication of North Frieze

"These have dared bear the torches of sacrifice and service. Their bodies return to dust but their work liveth evermore. Let us strive on to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations." – Inscription on North Frieze
November 9, 1994

Memorial Closes

The Liberty Memorial is closed due to safety concerns from deteriorated infrastructure.
August 5, 1998

Kansas Citians Vote to Restore

Citizens of Kansas City pass a half-cent sales tax for 18 months to support the restoration of the Liberty Memorial. Plans begin to build a new museum to display the WWI-related objects and documents the Liberty Memorial Association (LMA) had collected since 1920.
October 28, 2004

America’s Official Museum

The Museum is designated by the 108th Congress as the United States’ official World War I Museum
September 20, 2006

National Historic Landmark

The National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial receives the distinction of National Historic Landmark.
December 2, 2006

Museum Opens

The National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial opens to the public.
December 19, 2014

Memorial Recognized by Congress

President Barack Obama signed legislation passed by Congress that designated the Liberty Memorial as a national World War I memorial with the same level of distinction as memorials such as the National World War II Memorial and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The legislation effectively renamed the organization as the “National World War I Museum and Memorial.”