A pair of symposiums featuring renowned speakers from across the world examining the entry of the U.S. into World War I and the conscience objector movement as well as a bi-partisan panel discussion on the future of American political parties featuring former Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean are among the upcoming offerings from the National World War I Museum and Memorial.
From Oct. 19-22, the Museum hosts the symposium “Remembering Muted Voices: Conscience, Dissent, Resistance and Civil Liberties in World War I Through Today.” The event features acclaimed authors and presenters, including New York Times author Michael Kazin and Ingrid Sharp from Leeds University in the United Kingdom.
Additionally, author Duane Stoltzfus and Dora Maendel of the Fairholme Hutterite Colony in Manitoba, Canada, will examine what happened to more than 500 Hutterites who protested American involvement in WWI and were later jailed in Washington, Alcatraz and eventually Ft. Leavenworth, where two young men died under suspicious circumstances. Nearly 50 Hutterites from Canada, many of whom are descendants from the 500 people imprisoned at Ft. Leavenworth, will be in attendance at the event. Single day registration ($55) and complete event registration ($125) are available at here.
The Museum welcomes one of the world’s leading experts on World War I, Sir Hew Strachan, for a special free program in advance of its second symposium at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 2. Strachan, former Chichele Professor of the History of War at the University of Oxford, will be joined by scholars Jennifer Keene (Chapman University) and Jay Sexton (University of Missouri) for “The Long Road to Peace: Enter the Peace Broker,” which examines President Woodrow Wilson’s attempt to arbitrate the war in December 1916.
On Nov. 3-4, the Museum hosts its second international symposium “1917: America Joins the Fight” featuring renowned scholars from across the world. The event features author David Stevenson, making his only U.S. appearance in 2017 following the release of his new book “1917: War, Peace and Revolution” as well as acclaimed authors Michael Neiberg, Robert Cozzolino, Olga Porshneva, Richard S. Faulkner and more. Early bird registration ($195) is available through Oct. 6 here.
In conjunction with American Public Square, the Museum hosts “The Elephant & Donkey in the Room: The Future of American Political Parties” at 6 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 16. The panel includes Howard Dean (former DNC Chairman), Danny Diaz (former campaign manager for Jeb Bush’s presidential campaign), Greg Orman (independent candidate for Kansas U.S. Senate seat in 2014), Jacqueline Salit (former campaign manager for Michael Bloomberg’s three campaigns for NYC Mayor), and Beth Miller Vonnahme (Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Missouri-Kansas City). Allan Katz (former United States Ambassador to Portugal) will moderate the event, and Nick Haines (Executive Producer, KCPT) will act as the “roving reporter,” presenting questions from the audience. A limited number of free tickets remain for the event here. The event will also be carried via live stream here.
Scott Stephenson kicks off the 2017-18 John J. Pershing Great War Centennial Series at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 11 with the free program “Total War Comes to the Fatherland: The German Home Front, 1914-18.” Stephenson will focus on the evolution of the German Empire, from a nation of wealth, unity and resolve to one of despair and revolution.
On Sunday, Oct. 1 at 9 a.m., the Museum hosts the second annual WWI 8K Double Race. A unique concept consisting of two stages (5K and 3K) separated by a halftime, “The Double” creates a need for strategic thinking as the combined times of the two races determine the winners. The event also features a Kid’s Cup race for children ages 12 and under. All proceeds from the event benefit the Museum. To register, visit here.
Other Museum events during October include: Hands-on History (Saturdays at 2 p.m.), the family-friendly free event KC Games for Good with the Kansas City Plaza Rotary Club (Oct. 7, Noon – 5 p.m.), Mrs. Wilson’s Knitting Circle (Oct. 7, 10:30 a.m.), the monthly Day in the Life series with living historians (Oct. 8, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.), the free Feast of Fountains event with Kansas City Parks and Recreation (Oct. 12, 4:30-7:30 p.m.), the free WW1USA amateur radio special event station (Oct. 14-15, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.), the monthly Story Time children’s reading/craft event (Oct. 14, 11 a.m.) and a performance from the Mid America Freedom Band (Oct. 29, 2 p.m.).
The National World War I 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 personal experiences of the war.
National World War I Museum and Memorial – October Events
- Every Wednesday: World War Wednesdays (all tickets $8)
- Every Thursday, 2 p.m.: Complimentary Tour (FREE with paid admission)
- Every Saturday, 2 p.m.: Hands-on History (FREE)
- Sunday, Oct. 1, 9 a.m.: WWI 8K Double Race
- Saturday, Oct. 7, 10:30 a.m.: Mrs. Wilson’s Knitting Circle (FREE with RSVP)
- Saturday, Oct. 7, Noon – 5 p.m.: KC Games for Good (FREE)
- Sunday, Oct. 8, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.: Day in the Life with Living Historians (FREE)
- Wednesday, Oct. 11, 6:30 p.m.: Total War Comes to the Fatherland (FREE with RSVP)
- Thursday, Oct. 12, 4:30-6:30 p.m.: Feast of Fountains (FREE)
- Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 14-15, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.: WW1USA Amateur Radio Station (FREE)
- Saturday, Oct. 14, 11 a.m.: Story Time – The Memory Coat (FREE with RSVP)
- Monday, Oct. 16, 6 p.m.: The Elephant and the Donkey in the Room (FREE with RSVP)
- Thursday, Oct. 26, 5:30 p.m.: The Modernists Happy Hour (FREE)
- Sunday, Oct. 29, 2 p.m.: Mid America Freedom Band Fall Concert