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Just across the street from Union Station The World War One Liberty Memorial The only Monument to World War One in the Nation |
| After three years of construction, the completed Liberty Memorial opened on November 11, 1926, eight years after the end of the War. President Calvin Coolidge delivered the dedication speech, in which he spoke of how "the magnitude of this memorial, and the broad base of popular support on which it rests, can scarcely fail to excite national wonder and admiration." |
| The monument underwent an extensive $30 million restoration project beginning in early 2000 and concluding in May 2002 |
| The Liberty Memorial is the official World War I monument of the United States. Its grounds include two Sphinx sculptures, two museums, and the centerpiece 217-foot tower, among other things. A third and much larger new museum opened in 2006 below the tower |
| The Mall leading to the South entrance of the Memorial |
| The Museum entrance below the Memorial |
| On December 2, 2006, the expanded National World War I Museum opened the window to an extraordinary emotional and intellectual experience. Envisioned by the people of Kansas City, designed by Ralph Appelbaum Associates, and designated by Congress as the nation’s official WWI Museum, the new state of the art complex uses an incredible collection and highly-interactive technology to bring this global history to life, and to foster timely discussions of ethics, values, decision making and conflict resolution. |
| The Museum is open daily except Mondays, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. |
| The Museum was selected as "Favorite Museum or Historical Site" in the 2008 KC Visitors' Choice Awards. The Visitors' Choice Awards are the only awards that are chosen exclusively by visitors to Kansas City. |
| The Fountain and Mirror Pool at the Museum Entrance |
| After months of anticipation, a Renault FT17 World War I tank is now on exhibit at the National World War I Museum. With a gaping hole in its side, original camouflage paint and a 37 mm gun protruding from its turret, the rare tank is destined to become one of the most popular objects on exhibit at the Museum |
| The Skylight above the Museum Entrance below |
| One of the Two Original museums flanking the Memorial Tower |
| Looking South to the Mall Entrance to the Memorial |
| The Museum on the East side and the Entrance to the Tower Elevator |
| Looking North toward the Union Station and Downtown Kansas City from the North wall of the Memorial Deck |
| Entrance to the Tower Elevator |
| The Upper Elevator exit to the Observation Deck |
| Then the Winding Stairs to the top |
| The Last Short Fight to the Top |
| And the Exit to the Right and Left to the Observation Deck |
| Time at the Top is not Limited, the Elevator can be Summoned when you want to descend |
| A Panoramic View of Downtown Kansas City from the Top of the Tower |
| Union Station from the Top of the Tower |
| An Excellent 360 Degree View of the City from the Top of the 217 foot Tower |
| The IBM Building and The Hyatt Regency Hotel in back with the Crown Center Hotel in the Foreground |
| The Mirror Pool and Entrance to the Underground Museum |
| A View South of the Mall and New Contruction in the Distance |
| Looking Southwest with Interstate 35 to the right |
| Observation done Now the Return Trip |
| The Top of the Elevator Mechanism |
| Down the Winding Stairs |
| The Elevator Entrance in Sight |
| A push on the Button and the Elevator Arrives |
| On the Way out to the Entrance Mall |
| A Final View from Penn Valley Park |
| The Liberty Memorial at Night with the Flame of Victory Burning |
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