Discussion Examining Young Hemingway & Dos Passos and World War I-Themed LEGO Program Highlight January Events at National WWI Museum And Memorial

A discussion about Earnest Hemingway's pivotal experiences in Kansas City and relationship with John Dos Passos and a Great War-themed LEGO building program are among the January events at the National WWI Museum and Memorial.

At 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 25, the Museum and Memorial hosts Young Hemingway and Dos Passos. Steve Paul, longtime Kansas City Star reporter and author of Hemingway at Eighteen: The Pivotal Year that Launched an American Legend, and James McGrath Morris, author of The Ambulance Drivers: Hemingway, Dos Passos, and a Friendship Made and Lost in War, participate in a free discussion on Hemingway, Kansas City and the Italian Front. Both authors will be available for a book signing following the event.

LEGO Master Builder Joe Nunnink from LEGOLand Discovery Center in Kansas City takes flight at the Museum and Memorial on Saturday, Jan. 27 with a series of interactive demonstrations on building WWI-era airplanes. Participants can learn from the best and then create their own planes. Demonstrations are free to the public and begin at 11 a.m., 11:45 a.m., and 12:15 p.m.

The founder of Pilates used his internment during WWI to practice and refine his now-popular exercise method. Instructor Lauren Thompson of Thrive Pilates & Movement Studio leads a non-impact Pilates program that will help people develop their core and flexibility for any level of fitness. Programs are held at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 9 and Tuesday, Jan. 23 and are $5.

On Thursday, Jan. 11, a group of local artists and University of Missouri-Kansas City students offer a one-night theatrical performance called "Trench Warfare" with two performances scheduled for 7 and 8:30 p.m. The play was written by UMKC alum Charlie Weitkamp and directed by Marianne McKenzie, an MFA Acting and Directing student at UMKC. "Trench Warfare" is a surreal exploration of the relationships that help people maneuver through trauma that is set in the trenches during the Great War. The play is free to attend.

How did photographers help the public imagine World War I? At 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 13 Museum and Memorial Registrar Stacie Petersen answers that question during the Member Perks: Exposing the War program. Petersen will discuss how photography was used and understood during World War I and guests will have the opportunity for an inside look at photo albums and glass slides from the Museum and Memorial's collection. The event is free for Museum and Memorial members.

At 6 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 18, the Museum and Memorial celebrates being named Huffington Post's most "grammable" spot in Kansas City at its first ever #Instameet! Free to attend, guests can explore the Museum and Memorial's unique blend of architectural styles and lesser-known interior and exterior spaces, while enjoying after-hours access to gram one of KC's most treasured gems.

The Museum and Memorial hosts several other family-friendly programs during the month. On Sunday, Jan. 14, living historians return for the monthly series Day in the Life as they bring history to life with real artifacts that examine the burden on soldiers during the war. At 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 20, the Museum and Memorial pays homage to Winnie-the-Pooh Day by inviting the public to celebrate this bear who was much more than a "tubby little cubby all stuffed with fluff" with a movie screening of the film A Bear Named Winnie, cake and a family-friendly craft. Additionally, the Museum and Memorial hosts the free program Hands-on History each Saturday at 11 a.m. in which the public is invited to inspect and handle real artifacts from World War I.

The Museum and Memorial is teaming with area amateur radio operators to host special event station WW1USA for 31 consecutive hours from Saturday, Jan. 20 at 10 a.m. through Sunday, Jan. 21 at 5 p.m. During this time, station operators will contact hundreds of other amateur radio operators across the world. Individuals are welcome to serve as a guest operator of WW1USA at any time during regular hours (10 a.m. - 5 p.m.) with all guests receiving a special amateur radio operator certificate.

The National WWI 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 personal experiences of the war.

January National WWI Museum and Memorial Events

· Every Wednesday: World War Wednesdays (all tickets $8)

· Every Thursday, 2:30 p.m.: Complimentary Tour (FREE with paid admission)

· Every Saturday, 11 a.m.: Hands-on History (FREE)

· Tuesday, Jan. 9, 6:30 p.m.: Sip & Stretch - Pilates at the Museum ($5)

· Thursday, Jan. 11, 7/8:30 p.m.: Trench Warfare theatrical performance (FREE)

· Saturday, Jan. 13, 1 p.m.: Member Perks - Exposing the Great War (FREE with RSVP for Members)

· Sunday, Jan. 14, All Day: Day in the Life with Living Historians (FREE)

· Thursday, Jan. 18, 6 p.m.: #KC Instameet at the Museum (FREE with RSVP)

· Saturday, Jan. 20, 10:30 a.m.: Winnie-the-Pooh Day (FREE with RSVP)

· Saturday-Sunday, Jan. 20-21, All Day: WW1USA Amateur Radio Station (FREE)

· Tuesday, Jan. 23, 6:30 p.m.: Sip & Stretch - Pilates at the Museum ($5)

· Thursday, Jan. 25, 6:30 p.m.: Young Hemingway and Dos Passos (FREE with RSVP)

· Saturday, Jan. 27, 11 a.m.: Bricks and Mavericks: LEGO & WWI Planes (FREE)

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.

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