As the United States celebrates the 250th anniversary of its founding, visitors will have the opportunity to see a curated selection of original records from the National Archives and Records Administration’s collection on display together for the very first time.
Please note: this information is applicable only to those visiting the National WWI Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri. For other stops on the tour, please refer to ticketing guidelines on each individual museum’s website
Museum and Freedom Plane hours:
March 6-22, 2026, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with extended hours until 8 p.m. on Thursdays.
| Museum and Memorial open | Freedom Plane National Tour open | |
|---|---|---|
| March 6-11 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (lines close at 4:30 p.m.) |
| Thursday, March 12 | 10 a.m.-8 p.m. | 10 a.m.-8 p.m. (lines close at 7:30 p.m.) |
| March 13-18 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (lines close at 4:30 p.m.) |
| Thursday, March 19 | 10 a.m.-8 p.m. | 10 a.m.-8 p.m. (lines close at 7:30 p.m.) |
| March 20-22 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (lines close at 4:30 p.m.) |
Freedom Plane National Tour tickets:
Freedom Plane National Tour tickets will be FREE. There are two ways to obtain them:
Advance tickets (with purchase of Museum admission)
- Visit theworldwar.org and select your choice of Museum admission
- FREE advance tickets for Freedom Plane National Tour will become available for the same date once you have added Museum admission to your cart. Add Freedom Plane advance tickets to your cart along with Museum admission.
- On the day of your visit, skip the Ticketing line and proceed straight to Memory Hall or other Museum galleries.
Same-day tickets
- On the day of your visit, go to the Ticketing Counter to secure your FREE Freedom Plane tickets. You will have the option to also purchase Museum admission at that time.
- Proceed to Memory Hall.
Note: Due to anticipated large crowds and the sensitive nature of the documents, lines may form outside the building.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any item restrictions for the exhibition?
To help protect the artifacts and ensure a comfortable experience for everyone:
- Wagons are not permitted.
- Large bags should be checked at the coat check.
- Please refrain from flash photography.
- Food and drinks are not allowed inside the exhibition.
Inclement weather:
In the event the Museum and Memorial is closed, tickets will be honored on the next day the Museum and Memorial is open. Guests may present their tickets at the Ticketing Counter to be transferred to the new date or contact us by email (customerservice@theworldwar.org) to request a refund.
Explore the exhibition online:
Freedom Plane National Tour: Documents that Forged a Nation
Inspired by the Bicentennial Freedom Train that stopped in Kansas City, Kansas in 1976, the Freedom Plane National Tour will bring historic and consequential documents fundamental to America’s founding to communities across the nation.
Sponsors
The Freedom Plane National Tour is made possible in part by the National Archives Foundation, through the generous support of The Boeing Company, Comcast Corporation, Microsoft, and P&G. The exhibition at the Museum and Memorial is supported by Presenting Sponsor America 250 Missouri Commission and Premier Sponsor E & K of Kansas City.
