World War I Museum & Liberty Memorial
On November 11, 1926, President Calvin Coolidge dedicated the completed memorial before a crowd of over 150,000 people.
World War I Museum & Liberty Memorial
2 Memorial Dr, Kansas City, MO 64108 (Map)
Opened: 1926
Architect: Harold Van Buren Magonigle
The National World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri stands as the nation’s official museum and memorial dedicated to the Great War. Its story spans nearly a century, reflecting both the community’s dedication to honoring those who served and the evolving nature of public memory.
Shortly after World War I ended in 1918, prominent Kansas City residents formed the Liberty Memorial Association to create a memorial for those who served in the war. Led by lumber baron Robert A. Long and real estate developer J.C. Nichols, the association launched an extraordinary fundraising campaign in 1919. In just ten days, over 83,000 contributors donated more than $2.5 million, demonstrating remarkable community support.
