Return to National World War I Museum, Kansas City

[gwb123]

We've had a number of great threads about the National World War I Museum at the Liberty Memorial in Kansas City.

 

I was fortunate enough to escort my brother (the enthusiastic one) and my son there this August.

 

I'll try not to repeat anything that's already been on here, but there seemed to be a lot of items that were either new or on special exhibit (or I had just managed to miss them on previous visits).

 

One thing that is worth a few minutes is the interactive photo gallery before you enter. They must have thousands of photos of individual soldiers loaded, often of surprisingly good detail. Biographical information, when available, flashes on a computer screen closer to the viewer. It does the trick of making the experience much more personal. (With a steady hand, you can actually capture some of the images.)

[gwb123]

These are in no particular order...

 

While women had been involved in previous US conflicts, it seems that their roles and opportunities to serve were greatly expanded:

 

The rig on the bottom is a telephone operator's headset, worn for hours as female volunteers directed switchboard traffic. I can't imagine wearing this thing for more than 10 minutes.

[gwb123]

Red cross and nurses uniforms... the blue blouse has an Advanced Sector patch on the shoulder.

[gwb123]

Female uniforms for American Field Service (ambulance drivers) and a USN Yeoman.

 

Young women who could not go overseas could volunteer to serve at home as well...

 

YWCA and YMCA insignia worn both overseas and in the US..

[gwb123]

Painted helmets... the photos do not do them justice...

 

The white 1st Army one features a mounted horseman chasing a devil.

 

Trench art and custom belt....

[gwb123]

There was an entire case of envelopes with hand drawn service cartoons... from a Dad to his son in the Air Service.

 

Patriotic scarf.

 

 

[gwb123]

There was a special exhibit on the Siberian expedition.

[gwb123]

"In the Spotlight" Exhibit of the uniforms worn by an American who served with both the American Field Service and the French.

[gwb123]

This is something I did not recall seeing before... a beautifully restored WWI motor ambulance.

 

I believe the markings roughly translate to "Maximum Load: 3 on stretcher, 4 walking".

[gwb123]

Next to the ambulance is an exhibit of memorabilia from the American Field Service.

[gwb123]

I think these Air Service patches might be a recent addition. Note the embroidery on the first one.

[gwb123]

I love this museum! They use every bit of display space to maintain the atmosphere of the Great War, including this photo

at their cantina. (Which is actually pretty good, and allows you to grab a bite without leaving the museum).

 

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These are just a few of the things we found on this trip.

 

We literally spent all day there, and still did not see everything.

 

For a longer introduction to the museum, please see the following thread:

 

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/111707-national-world-war-i-museum/