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Nov. 29--KANSAS CITY -- The National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial in Kansas City will open to the public Saturday.
"The consequences of the first World War are still with us today, being played out in current events around the globe," Ralph Appelbaum, the museum's designer, said.
Officially designated the National WWI Museum by the 108th Congress, the new 30,000-square-foot museum is housed directly beneath the historic Liberty Memorial. The Liberty Memorial's site was dedicated in 1921 by the wartime leaders of five allied nations -- Marshal Ferdinand Foch of France, Admiral Lord David Beatty of Great Britain, General Armando Diaz of Italy, Lt. Gen. Alfonse Jacques of Belgium and Gen. John J. Pershing of the United States.
The 217-foot Liberty Memorial Tower and two exhibit halls were built by the citizens of Kansas City and dedicated in 1926 by President Calvin Coolidge. Thirty-six countries and 65 million combatants fought from 1914 to 1918, resulting in 9 million combatant deaths. Millions more non-combatants died as a result of the war.
In 1998, the citizens of Kansas City passed a half-cent sales tax to fund a major restoration of the memorial. In 2004, Kansas City residents approved a bond issue to construct this museum designed to educate future generations about conflict resolution and provide a global, present-day perspective on the events of World War I.
The museum showcases a collection of more than 49,000 artifacts and utilizes the latest interactive technology to tell the story of "The Great War" through the experiences of those who lived it. Students will be able to role-play in interactive table-top experiences that will let them see the consequences and outcomes of their actions, said Brig. Gen. Stephen Berkheiser, U.S.M.C. retired and executive director of the entire facility.
A ceremony and celebration of the museum opening will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Liberty Memorial, 26th and Main streets.
In St. Joseph at the National Military Heritage Museum, visitors can walk through an interactive exhibit showing the operation of trench warfare in World War I.
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Copyright (c) 2006, St. Joseph News-Press, Mo.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News.
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