In a monumental stride toward enhancing historical exploration and community engagement, the National WWI Museum and Memorial welcomed the public to their newly transformed lower level this May, unveiling a captivating blend of accessible artifacts and refreshed spaces.
This ambitious 10,000-SF renovation, executed in collaboration with JE Dunn Construction and Multistudio, is highlighted by the much-anticipated Bergman Family Gallery and Open Storage Center, offering a fresh approach to exhibiting historical treasures that have long been hidden away.
Photo credit: Arch Photo KC | Jacia Phillips
The Bergman Family Gallery, spanning an impressive 4,000 SF, acts as a vessel for displaying previously secluded artifacts, with a remarkable 190-foot expanse of window cases resembling a captivating "coastline."
"The Bergman Family Gallery and Open Storage Center allow us to display objects and artifacts otherwise behind closed doors and unavailable for visitors to view," said Matthew Naylor, president and CEO of the National WWI Museum and Memorial.
The magnitude of this achievement is amplified by the visionary design and meticulous execution that went into bringing this transformation to life. Working closely with JE Dunn Construction and Multistudio, the museum's leadership and staff have realized a shared dream, underlining their commitment to enriching the museum's cultural impact and outreach to the community.
The revamped lower level isn't limited to the Bergman Family Gallery alone; it encompasses a holistic reimagination. The R.A. Long Learning Center, Ellis Gallery, and Edward Jones Research Center have all been thoughtfully updated, providing visitors with an all-encompassing journey through history. The Ellis Gallery, for instance, currently hosts the captivating Mail Call exhibit, offering a display of a father's letters to his son during wartime—an exhibit that has taken on new life within these reinvigorated walls.
Key to the renovation was the seamless integration of a new staircase, connecting the lower level to the first floor. This architectural addition symbolizes the museum's commitment to bridging the past with the present, providing a physical manifestation of the way history continually informs and shapes our understanding of the world.
"The shelving system that creates the 'coastline' at the Collections Center turned out even better than the team expected. Working with a great team in one of Kansas City's iconic buildings was a lot of fun," said Eric Herman, senior project manager at JE Dunn Construction.
The unveiling of the National WWI Museum and Memorial's renovated lower level, a culmination of a project that commenced in June 2022, marks a remarkable achievement for historical preservation, storytelling, and community engagement. The successful completion of this project also sets the tone for a series of forthcoming upgrades and renovations, ensuring that the National WWI Museum and Memorial continues to evolve as a beacon of historical preservation and knowledge dissemination.
For more information, visit the National WWI Museum and Memorial website at theworldwar.org.
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Feature photo credit: Arch Photo KC | Jacia Phillips