staff2 October 8, 2020

Outdoor Socially-Distanced Programming and New Exhibition Silk and Steel among October Highlights

This election day, the National WWI Museum and Memorial encourages Kansas Citians to participate in democracy by exercising their right to vote. On Nov. 3, 2020 the Museum and Memorial will serve as a polling location for Ward 1, Precinct 6 residents, as well as individuals registered to vote in Kansas City, Mo. We welcome voters from around the city whose proximity to the Museum on election day makes it easier to vote here rather than in their home district.

All voters wearing an “I Voted” sticker will receive half price general admission to the Museum on Nov. 3. Visitors are encouraged to visit the exhibition, Votes and Voices, to learn about the passage of the 19th Amendment  which gave most women the right to vote and followed more than a century and a half of activism. Its passage was deeply influenced by the significant involvement of women at home and abroad during World War I.

Additionally, as Missourians head into election season needing notarization for most mail-in ballots, the Museum and Memorial is partnering with Curbside Notary to provide free notarization for ballots from 1-5 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 7, Friday, Oct. 9 and Sunday, Oct. 11. Ballot notarization will be in the West Lobby Gallery.

Three outdoor events allowing for social distancing are among the October offerings from the National WWI Museum and Memorial.

Living the Great War will take place from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17. This free program features the Living History Volunteer Corps and vehicles from the Military Vehicle Preservation Association. Guests are invited to view a variety of collections that bring them closer to the history of the Great War.

Local music takes center stage at the Sound of Kansas City on the Southeast Lawn of the Museum and Memorial. Fermata KC will host a day full of some of the best local acts KC has to offer. Spaces for this socially-distant concert hold up to four attendees. Food trucks will be available for food and drink. Tickets available on Eventbrite.

Lastly, on Oct. 22 from 7:30-9:30 p.m., guests are invited to the Museum and Memorial’s Southeast Lawn for a Presidential Debate Watch Party. Each ticket reserves a socially-distanced space on the lawn, for up to four attendees per group. Guests can bring their own picnic as they watch the debate on the big screen. 

Inside the Museum, the newest exhibition, Silk and Steel: French Fashion, Women and WWI, highlights the surprisingly important role of women’s fashion during WWI, especially in France. During a time of global upheaval, women were taking on new responsibilities and roles, and fashion adapted to the necessities of these new actions, scarcity of materials and ever-present societal needs. Entry to the exhibition is $10 or an additional $3 when paired with a general admission ticket. In conjunction with the exhibition, the Museum and Memorial is also hosting Fashioning Gender in Wartime France. The free Zoom presentation at noon on Monday, Oct. 19 features Dr. Maude Bass-Krueger and Dr. Sophie Kurkdjian, curators of the exhibition French Fashion, Women and the First World War, for a conversation that examines the relationship amongst French fashion, war and gender in WWI-era France and the legacy of that period today.

The Museum and Memorial is pleased to again participate in Homeschool Week in the Crown Center District. From Oct. 13-16, homeschoolers will be offered a discounted rate of $5 per ticket and a free Family Guide. Families are invited to take advantage of Homeschool Week deals from all of our Crown Center partners.

To assist educators around the world, the Museum and Memorial is hosting a variety of free webinars that explore the enduring impact of WWI with primary source documents and digital resources. The WWI Changed US series of webinars cover a wide range of topics, from racism and Black military workers to the economics of WWI.

The National WWI Museum and Memorial holds the most comprehensive collection of World War I objects and documents in the world and is the second-oldest-public museum dedicated to preserving the object, history and personal experiences of the war.

October National WWI Museum and Memorial events

About the National WWI Museum and Memorial

The National World WWI Museum and Memorial is America’s leading institution dedicated to remembering, interpreting and understanding the Great War and its enduring impact on the global community. The Museum and Memorial holds the most comprehensive collection of World War I objects and documents in the world and is the second-oldest public museum dedicated to preserving the objects, history and experiences of the war. The Museum and Memorial takes visitors of all ages on an epic journey through a transformative period and shares deeply personal stories of courage, honor, patriotism and sacrifice. Designated by Congress as America’s official World War I Museum and Memorial and located in downtown Kansas City, Mo., the National WWI Museum and Memorial inspires thought, dialogue and learning to make the experiences of the Great War era meaningful and relevant for present and future generations. To learn more, visit theworldwar.org.

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