Honoring those who served during Veterans Day Weekend by providing free admission to veterans/active duty military personnel and half-price admission for the general public, the annual symposium featuring academics from across the world, a presentation from Pulitzer Prize-winning author David Shipler and a screening of the Liam Neeson-narrated documentary 1916 The Irish Rebellion are among the November offerings from the National World War I Museum and Memorial.
Veterans Day Weekend
As the commemoration of World War I Centennial continues, there is no place more fitting to recognize and honor those who have served their country on Veterans Day Weekend than at the Museum. During the weekend (Friday, November 11 – Sunday, November 13), veterans and active duty military personnel receive free admission, while the general public receives half-price admission. Free admission for veterans/active duty military personnel on Veterans Day Weekend is supported by Jackson County Executive, Jackson County Legislature, the Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund of Kansas City, Mo., and KFKF.
On Veterans Day, activities include a public ceremony at 10 a.m. featuring dignitaries (Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II, Kansas City Mayor Sly James and Missouri State Senator Ryan Silvey), a keynote address from Assistant Chief of Staff at the Army Reserve Affairs Combined Arms Center at Ft. Leavenworth Col. Norma J. Bradford and inspirational performances from the Kansas City Symphony Chorus and The American Legion Band of Greater Kansas City Wind Ensemble. The Museum is offering a host of activities throughout the weekend, including complimentary public tours, child-friendly programs and more.
For the complete list of events visit here.
John McCutcheon in concert
Following Veterans Day on Saturday, November 12 at 7 p.m., the Museum presents John McCutcheon in concert. McCutcheon, a legendary folk musician, composed the world’s most famous song about the Truce of 1914, “Christmas in the Trenches,” which has been included in lists of the most essential folk songs of all-time. Tickets are $25 for the public and $22 for Museum and Cross Currents Members and are available here.
Annual Symposium
On Friday-Saturday, November 4-5, the Museum welcomes an international panel of acclaimed experts to its annual symposium, 1916 | Total War. The event explores the pivotal year of 1916, where global socio-political tensions created by World War I continued escalation and irrevocably changed the economic, military, and cultural landscape of the world. For information or to purchase tickets to the symposium, visit here.
Non-symposium attendees may purchase tickets to an evening dinner on November 4 featuring U.S. World War One Centennial Commission Chairman Rob Dalessandro and British Consul General Stephen Bridges.
In partnership with Park University and the National Archives at Kansas City, the Museum presents Ethnic, Religious, and Racial Identity in a Fractured World: Challenges Awaiting the 45th President with David Shipler on Monday, November, 14 at 6:30 p.m. A Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Shipler shares thought-provoking analysis on our past, our present and where the United States might be headed in a free program.
The Museum offers a free screening and panel discussion of the landmark documentary 1916 The Irish Rebellion on Sunday, November 20 at 2 p.m. Narrated by Academy Award nominated actor Liam Neeson, the acclaimed documentary covers the story of the events that took place on Easter weekend 1916 in Dublin. Following the screening, Notre Dame Professors Christopher Fox and Bríona Nic Dhiarmada, also the originator, creator, and executive producer of the film, participate in a panel discussion.
Other events at the Museum during the month include Film Friday: A Very Long Engagement featuring Cesar-winning actress Audrey Tautou (Friday, November 18, 6 p.m.), Story Time at the Museum (Saturday, Nov. 19, 1 p.m.) in which children can listen to heartwarming tales from the Great War and Hands on History (Saturdays at 11 a.m.) in which children of all ages are invited to handle Great War artifacts.
The National World War I Museum and Memorial holds the most diverse 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
Short program of November National World War I Museum and Memorial Events:
· Every Wednesday: World War Wednesdays
· Every Thursday: Complimentary Tour, 2 p.m.
· Friday-Saturday, Nov. 4-5: 2016 Symposium
· Friday-Sunday, Nov. 11-13: Veterans Day Weekend
· Saturday, Nov. 12: John McCutcheon in Concert, 7 p.m.
· Monday, Nov. 14: Ethnic, Religious, and Racial Identity in a Fractured World, 6:30 p.m.
· Friday, Nov. 18: Film Friday: A Very Long Engagement, 6 p.m.
· Saturday, Nov. 19: Story Time at the Museum, 1 p.m.
· Sunday, Nov. 20: Screening and Panel Discussion of 1916: The Irish Rebellion