Contact: Karis Erwin, National WWI Museum and Memorial, 816.888.8122, kerwin@theworldwar.org
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National WWI Museum and Memorial serves as a fitting place to spend Memorial Day weekend, giving honor and special recognition to the individuals who sacrificed their lives while serving their country.
Admission to the Museum and Memorial is free for veterans and active-duty military personnel, while general admission for the public is half-price all weekend (Friday-Monday, May 22-25). The military discount is extended to spouses and dependents with ID. Due to the FIFA Fan Festival build out, access and parking looks different than normal. Visitors are encouraged to plan ahead and allot additional time.
The Museum and Memorial opens early (9 a.m.) on Memorial Day and offers events all weekend for people of all ages, including a free public ceremony at 10 a.m. on Memorial Day with local dignitaries and a keynote address from the 15th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General (Ret.) Richard Myers. Gen. Myers is also a Kansas City-area native. Local scouting organizations will lay 441 wreaths at the base of the Tower in honor of the Kansas Citians whose lives were lost in WWI.
Guests are invited to preview the new permanent exhibition, Story of the Museum and Memorial. The exhibition charts the Museum and Memorial’s 100-year history and Kansas City’s story of stewarding it. Story of the Museum and Memorial is supported by PNC, the Kansas City, Missouri Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund (NTDF) and partnership with the Missouri Humanities with support from the Missouri Humanities Trust Fund.
Support for Memorial Day is provided by EK, G.E.H.A, Hunt Family Foundation, the Kansas City, Missouri Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund (NTDF), Veterans of Foreign Wars and Weather or Not.
MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND HOURS
The National WWI Museum and Memorial will be open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Sunday and from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Monday.
MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND ACTIVITIES
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: Through Monday, May 25
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.
Trees of Remembrance
When: Friday-Monday, May 22-25 | 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.
Hats Off to U.S.
When: Friday-Monday, May 22-25 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Main Entrance
What: The National WWI Museum and Memorial is proud to be part of the #OnOur250th initiative honoring the United States' 250th birthday in 2026. We stand with other cultural institutions and organizations around the United States in this moment of celebration of the resiliency of the nation – and in remembrance of those who have made great sacrifices towards a more perfect union. Celebrate with star-spangled salutations! Stop by the front entrance to send off your birthday wishes to Uncle Sam. FREE to the public.
Memorial Day Ceremony
When: Monday, May 25, 10 a.m.
Where: Memorial Courtyard
What: A formal public program to include remarks from dignitaries and a keynote address from General (Ret.) Richard Myers. He served for 40 years in the United States Air Force and retired as the 15th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The program will also include a bell tolling ceremony; a reading of the names of the 441 residents of Kansas City, Missouri who died serving the country in WWI; and a laying of 441 wreaths in honor of the war dead.
ASL interpretation will be provided for the ceremony. FREE to the public | Onsite
Walk of Honor Dedication
When: Monday, May 25, 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
WW1USA Amateur Radio Station
When: Monday, May 25 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: 7600 W 75th St, Overland Park, KS 66204 (Overland Park Christian Church)
What: The Museum and Memorial is teaming with area amateur radio operators to remotely 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! Learn more at ww1usa.org. Open to the Public