The National WWI Museum and Memorial in February will focus on democracy, the race to the South Pole and a new exhibition for children

KANSAS CITY, MO. – The National WWI Museum and Memorial brings a full schedule of public programming to February’s event calendar including a program for special exhibition, Bespoke Bodies, scheduled to close in early April. The Gift of Perspective: An Evening with Lindsey Roy on Wednesday, Feb 7 will take place 6:30 p.m. online and onsite. Roy (Exhibition Honorary Chair for "Bespoke Bodies") will speak on adaptation and perseverance from her life experience with limb loss and lung transplants.

On Sunday, Feb. 11 at 2 p.m., Dr. Nicholas J. Saunders will present Desert War, Desert Archaeology. Saunders will explore recent archaeological investigations that shed new light on the exploits of T. E. Lawrence, Emir Feisal and Bedouin warriors during the 1916-18 Arab Revolt. This program is free and online.

Lincoln and Wilson both led the U.S. through wars with global impact, but their respective visions for democracy were vastly different – and both left promises unfulfilled. On Tuesday, Feb. 20, Freedom Denied: The Unfinished Business of Democracy will begin with a reception at 6 p.m. and program at 7 p.m. RSVP is required.

On Thursday, Feb. 29 at 7 p.m., guests are invited to learn more about Science in the Race to the South Pole. Amid early tremors of war in Europe, British captain Robert F. Scott set off for the South Pole. Historian Edward J. Larson shows how Scott’s expedition ushered in a new era of Antarctic, polar and climate science. This event is free with RSVP and will take place at Linda Hall Library.

At the close of February, a new exhibition, The Little War, opens in Exhibit Hall. Created for children and their grown-ups to understand the Great War from a child’s perspective, The Little War uses imaginative play, original toys and games, photos and other artifacts from the time period that taught a clear lesson: loyalty and commitment will win the war. A Member Preview will be on Wednesday, Feb. 28. Media are invited to preview the exhibition on Feb. 27. More information to follow.

February National WWI Museum and Memorial events

• Hands-on History 2024
• Sunday, Feb. 4 | 7-8 p.m.: Teacher Workshop: Inquiry and WWI
• Wednesday, Feb. 7 - 6:30 p.m.: The Gift of Perspective: An Evening with Lindsey Roy
• Sunday, Feb. 11 | 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.: Day in the Life: Technology
• Sunday, Feb. 11 - 2 p.m.: Desert War, Desert Archaeology
• Thursday, Feb. 15 - 5:30 p.m.: Modernist Happy Hour
• Tuesday, Feb. 20 | 6 p.m. Reception, 7 p.m. Program: Freedom Denied: The Unfinished Business of Democracy
• Wednesday, Feb. 28 | 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.: Member Preview: The Little War
• Thursday, Feb. 29 | 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.: The Little War Opens
• Thursday, Feb. 29 - 7 p.m.: Science in the Race to the South Pole

About the National WWI Museum and Memorial - The National 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.