Free lectures, films and photo exhibition explore the Great War

The National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial is pleased to offer a variety of free programs this fall which explore many aspects of the Great War. Programs will feature nationally-known speakers, an exhibition on the role of railroads in World War I and a film series which examines the role of women in World War I.

For more information on any of these free programs, please visit www.nwwone.org or call 816-784-1918.

Saturday, Oct. 4, 11 a.m.
"Liberty for All" Lecture Series
George Nash, author of The Conservative Intellectual Movement in America Since 1945 and biographer of President Herbert Hoover, will speak on Hoover's humanitarian efforts with Belgian relief. Book signing to follow. This free program will take place in the J.C. Nichols Auditorium at the National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial.

Friday, Oct. 10, 7 p.m.
"The Great War, the Great Movies" Film Series
Mata Hari (1931) stars Greta Garbo, along with Ramon Novarro and Lionel Barrymore, in the film that popularized the legend of the infamous WWI spy and femme fatale. This was Garbo's most commercially successful film. She talks! (89 minutes). "The Great War, the Great Movies" Film Series examines the role of women in World War I. The series of five films is co-sponsored by the National Archives and Records Administration-Central Plains Region. This free program will take place in the J.C. Nichols Auditorium at the National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial.

Saturday, Oct. 11, 11 a.m.
"Liberty for All" Lecture Series
Edward M. Coffman, professor emeritus of history at the University of Wisconsin, will speak on his books The Regulars: The American Army, 1898-1941 and The War To End All Wars: The American Experience in World War I. One of America's leading military historians, Coffman will recount his oral history efforts decades ago with surviving principals of WWI. Book signing to follow. This free program will take place in the J.C. Nichols Auditorium at the National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial.

Saturday, Oct. 11, 1 p.m.
"The Great War, the Great Movies" Film Series
Mata Hari (1931) stars Greta Garbo, along with Ramon Novarro and Lionel Barrymore, in the film that popularized the legend of the infamous WWI spy and femme fatale. This was Garbo's most commercially successful film. She talks! (89 minutes). "The Great War, the Great Movies" Film Series examines the role of women in World War I. The series of five films is co-sponsored by the National Archives and Records Administration-Central Plains Region. This free program will take place in the J.C. Nichols Auditorium at the National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial.

Friday, Oct. 17, 7 p.m.
"The Great War, the Great Movies" Film Series
Darling Lili (1970) stars Julie Andrews, along with Rock Hudson. Andrews plays a German spy who falls in love with her enemy. Directed by Blake Edwards, this Golden Globe-winning musical featured songs by Johnny Mercer and a musical score by Henry Mancini. (143 minutes). "The Great War, the Great Movies" Film Series examines the role of women in World War I. The series of five films is co-sponsored by the National Archives and Records Administration-Central Plains Region. This free program will take place in the J.C. Nichols Auditorium at the National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial.

Saturday, Oct. 18, 11 a.m.
"Liberty for All" Lecture Series
Landon Rowland, former Chairman, President, and CEO of Kansas City Southern and member of the National World War I Museum's Board of Governors, will speak on "World War I Railroads." The Museum's special exhibit of photographs on that subject continues in the Research Center Gallery through January 18, 2009. This free program will take place in the J.C. Nichols Auditorium at the National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial.

Saturday, Oct. 18, Friday, 1 p.m.
"The Great War, the Great Movies" Film Series
Darling Lili (1970) stars Julie Andrews, along with Rock Hudson. Andrews plays a German spy who falls in love with her enemy. Directed by Blake Edwards, this Golden Globe-winning musical featured songs by Johnny Mercer and a musical score by Henry Mancini. (143 minutes). "The Great War, the Great Movies" Film Series examines the role of women in World War I. The series of five films is co-sponsored by the National Archives and Records Administration-Central Plains Region. This free program will take place in the J.C. Nichols Auditorium at the National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial.

Thursday, Nov. 6, reception at 5 p.m. / symposium 5:30 - 7 p.m.
History Symposium: "Armistice and Influenza: Base Hospital #28 Goes from Kansas City to France in 1918"
This event, free and open to the public, initiates an extended look locally at the American experience in WWI. Features three illustrated lectures by Drs. Frederick Holmes, Grace Holmes, and Anthony Kovac. Event sponsored by the KU Medical Center and held on their campus. For more information, call (913) 588-7244.

Friday, Nov. 7, 11 a.m.
New U.S. Citizens Naturalization Ceremony
Free and open to the public; reserved seating for new citizens and their guests. Co-sponsored by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service, U.S District Court for the Western District of Missouri, National Archives and Records Administration-Central Plains Region and the National World War I Museum. This free program will take place in the J.C. Nichols Auditorium at the National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial.

Nov. 7, 8, 9 & 11 (closed Monday)
Special Exhibit: "India Battery: Everyday Heroes"
Paintings by Kansas artist Cher Ulrich of members of 3rd Battalion, 11th Marines, 1st Marine Division. Portraits of American soldiers who saw recent service in the Iraq War, one of whom is the artist's son Mathew; both will be present at the exhibit. Admission is free to the exhibit which will be held in the J.C. Nichols Auditorium Lobby.

Saturday, Nov. 8, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
"Honoring Veterans: History and Memory"
Co-sponsored by the National Archives-Central Plains Region.
10:30 a.m. - Noon. Free lectures on "Remembering Your Veteran," and "Researching Your Veteran's Military Records." Presented by representatives of Veterans Oral History Project, Library of Congress, and the National Archives, Washington, D.C.

1 p.m. Keynote speaker. Clifton Truman Daniel, "Remembering My Father and Grandfather." Daniel, the grandson of President Harry S. Truman and son of WWII overseas correspondent Clifton Daniel, is the author of Growing Up With My Grandfather: Memories of Harry S. Truman.

All-day activities:
History fair with representatives from area archives, libraries and historical societies available for consultation about your veteran research.
Sign-up for later participation in the Veterans Oral History Project.
Children's hands-on activities-make your own poppy and patriotic poster.

Sunday, Nov. 9, 1 p.m.
"The Great War, the Great Movies" with guest speaker David Gerber
Special Showing: The Lost Battalion, introduced by special speaker David Gerber, executive producer of this 2001 film and a World War II veteran. Mr. Gerber, whose Hollywood career spans decades and whose credits include some of America's favorite TV shows, will tell of the film's making and his interest in presenting WWI history to a wider audience. (100 minutes). This free program will take place in the J.C. Nichols Auditorium at the National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial.

Tuesday, Nov. 11, 10:30 a.m.
Veterans Day Ceremony
Observation Deck
Additional details to follow
Please note that the Museum opens at 11 a.m. on Veterans Day.

Friday, Nov. 14, 7 p.m.
"The Great War, the Great Movies" Film Series
Nurse Edith Cavell (1939) stars the relatively unknown Anna Neagle as the famed British martyr. Premiered shortly before World War II and is considered a "preparedness" film. Also features actress Zasu Pitts, born in Parsons, Kansas. (108 minutes). "The Great War, the Great Movies" Film Series examines the role of women in World War I. The series of five films is co-sponsored by the National Archives and Records Administration-Central Plains Region. This free program will take place in the J.C. Nichols Auditorium at the National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial.

Saturday, Nov. 15, 1 p.m.
"The Great War, the Great Movies" Film Series
Nurse Edith Cavell (1939) stars the relatively unknown Anna Neagle as the famed British martyr. Premiered shortly before World War II and is considered a "preparedness" film. Also features actress Zasu Pitts, born in Parsons, Kansas. (108 minutes). "The Great War, the Great Movies" Film Series examines the role of women in World War I. The series of five films is co-sponsored by the National Archives and Records Administration-Central Plains Region. This free program will take place in the J.C. Nichols Auditorium at the National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial.

Friday, November 21, 7 p.m.
"The Great War, the Great Movies" Film Series
Iron Jawed Angels (2004) this HBO film stars Academy Award winners Hillary Swank and Angelica Huston. Depicts the historic WWI-era struggle of American suffragists for the right to vote, often at odds with President Wilson. (PG-13 rated; 125 minutes). "The Great War, the Great Movies" Film Series examines the role of women in World War I. The series of five films is co-sponsored by the National Archives and Records Administration-Central Plains Region. This free program will take place in the J.C. Nichols Auditorium at the National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial.

Saturday, November 22, 1 p.m.
"The Great War, the Great Movies" Film Series
Iron Jawed Angels (2004) this HBO film stars Academy Award winners Hillary Swank and Angelica Huston. Depicts the historic WWI-era struggle of American suffragists for the right to vote, often at odds with President Wilson. (PG-13 rated; 125 minutes). "The Great War, the Great Movies" Film Series examines the role of women in World War I. The series of five films is co-sponsored by the National Archives and Records Administration-Central Plains Region. This free program will take place in the J.C. Nichols Auditorium at the National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial.

Thursday, Nov. 27
Museum closed in observation of Thanksgiving.

Saturday, Nov. 29, 11 a.m.
"Liberty for All" Lecture Series
Robert Ferrell, presidential historian and professor emeritus from Indiana University, will launch his new, controversial book on General Douglas MacArthur. The Question of MacArthur's Reputation: Cote de Chatillon, October 14-16, 1918, is an unflinching look at an American hero who may not have deserved his WWI decorations. Co-sponsored with the University of Missouri Press. Book signing to follow. This free program will take place in the J.C. Nichols Auditorium at the National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial.

Thursday, Dec. 25
Museum closed in observation of Christmas.

Saturday, Dec. 27, 1 p.m.
"The Great War, the Great Movies" Film Series: Annual Holiday Tradition at the Museum
Joyeux Noel (2005), the dramatic true story of the spontaneous 1914 Christmas Truce along the Western Front. Stars Diane Kruger, Benno Fermann, and Gary Lewis. (PG-13 rated; subtitles; 116 minutes). This free program will take place in the J.C. Nichols Auditorium at the National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial.

Thursday, Jan. 1, 2009
Museum closed in observation of New Year's Day.

The National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Museum is closed Mondays, except for Memorial Day. The Museum is also closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Last tickets for the Tower are sold at 4:15 p.m. Tickets can be purchased on the day of your visit. The National World War I Museum is operated in agreement with the Kansas City, Missouri Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners. For more information call 816-784-1918 or visit www.nwwone.org.