National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial

The National World War I Museum

Designed by Ralph Applebaum who also designed the Holocaust Museum in WDC, the museum is part of the Liberty Memorial and a must-see, offering glimpses of objects and documents ranging from weaponry and uniforms used during the war, to letters and postcards from the field. The most recent acquisition is a WWI French Renault FT-17 tank that was pierced by artillery during the war. The museum opened December 2, 2006. This is the only museum in the world dedicated to WWI.

Crown Center, from the top of the Liberty Memorial.

The Westin Crown Center Hotel is in the lower left of this photo; Santa Fe Place is in the lower middle with San Francisco Tower in the lower right.

Great Frieze of the Liberty Memorial

The Great Frieze on the north wall of the Liberty Memorial was sculpted by Edmond Amateis. Depicting progress from war to peace via 12 motifs between flags, starting with a vignette of destruction -- a howitzer and a badly wounded soldier -- and ending with hope for the future, the Frieze stretches 400 feet across and stands 13 feet high. The inscription above the Frieze reads, "These have dared bear torches of sacrifice and service; their bodies return to dust, but their work liveth forevermore. Let us strive on to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations."

The inscription on the east fountain reads, "Who more than self their country loved." The inscription on the west fountain reads, "The glory dies not and the grief is past."

In Flanders Fields

By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)

Canadian Army
IN FLANDERS FIELDS the poppies blow

Between the crosses row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

Liberty Memorial Sliding Gates

The sliding gates at the south entrance of the Liberty Memorial were designed by Ellen Driscoll in 2006 and are called “Pro Patria More”. The lower stainless steel panels are perforated to create a silhouetted rendering of a photograph of Scottish Highlander soldiers leaving a WWI battlefield. The mosaics lining the top of each gate are a composite of photographic images of individual soldiers, field and battle scenes along with various badges from the different military entities who participated in the war.

The Liberty Memorial

One of our favorite sites in our neighborhood is the Liberty Memorial which we can see from the window in our condo. We have many photographs of the Memorial which we are delighted to share with you.

In 1919, the citizens of Kansas City, Missouri, were inspired and determined to create an enduring memorial to honor the men and women who served in World War I and, especially, those who did not return home. Over a period of only 10 days, a community-based fundraising drive collected over $2.5 million (the equivalent of nearly $40 million in today’s economy) to build Liberty Memorial. Sadly neglected over the years and then lovingly restored and rededicated May 25, 2002, the Liberty Memorial once again stands proudly “In honor of those who served in the world war in defense of liberty and our country.” – inscription, on the Liberty Memorial tower in Downtown Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.

At the top of the Liberty Memorial Tower are four guardian spirits (Honor, Sacrifice, Patriotism and Courage) with hands clasped over mighty swords. The swords signify the spirits’ role as protectors of peace, not as warriors. The spirits were hoisted into place in 1925. The spirit named Honor stands guard over Crown Center.

Honor, facing East, gazing towards Crown Center.

The Liberty Memorial at night.

Pioneer Mother

A short walk from the Spanish War Veterans Memorial is statue of the Pioneer Mother Memorial by Alexander Phimister Proctor. Commissioned by Howard Vanderslice in 1924 and presented to the city of Kansas City, Mo. in 1927, the figures depicted in the sculpture are Vanderslice family members, including Major Daniel Vanderslice, a veteran of Indian wars and an appointed agent to tribes in Missouri; his son Thomas J. Vanderslice with his wife and infant son, Howard Vanderslice, ca. 1853. This sculpture portrays Howard Vanderslice being carried as a baby to Kansas City.
To really appreciate this stunning sculpture, you need to park your car across the street from the Federal Reserve at 1 Memorial Drive and Wyandotte Street and walk the path to it. Too bad it is tucked away inside the park instead of near a busy intersection where it could be enjoyed by more people.

The Hiker

Penn Valley Park is home to The Hiker, sculpted by Theo A. R. Kitson (1871–1932), the first woman to be admitted to the National Sculpture Society. The Hiker is one of 52 bronze sculptures cast between the years 1921 and 1956 of a uniformed Spanish American War soldier standing with his legs apart, and left foot forward, holding his rifle horizontally in front of him with both hands. The sleeves of his shirt are rolled up and he wears a wide-brimmed hat and a cartridge belt. A knapsack rests on his rear left hip and a canteen on his rear right hip. He is holding a rifle, horizontally across the front of his body at waist level. A satchel and a canteen hang at his hips from shoulder straps. This Spanish War Veterans Memorial is located across the Street from the Federal Reserve Bank. The Inscription reads, "To Commemorate the Valor and Patriotism of the Men who Served in the War with Spain, Philippine Insurrection, and China Relief Expedition 1898 – 1902." Similar sculptures can be found in Schenectady Central Park, Schenectady County, New York and Arcadia Park, Los Angeles County, California, as well as many other locations in the U.S.