J.R.R. Tolkein Lecture Among July Events at National World War I Museum and Memorial

A lecture discussing the complexities of the Battle of Verdun from Dr. John Mosier and programs exploring the effects of World War I on J.R.R. Tolkien's masterpieces are among the July events at the National World War I Museum and Memorial.

Dr. John Mosier examines the Battle of Verdun in Verdun 1916: Failure Considered As Success. In conjunction with the Museum's current special exhibition, They Shall Not Pass | 1916, During the program, Dr. Mosier provides a careful analysis and reassesses the complex year-long conflict that shaped the First World War. The Pulitzer Prize nominated author speaks at the Museum at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 13 with a book signing to follow.

Exactly 100 years after J.R.R. Tolkien fought in the Battle of the Somme, Award-winning author John Garth visits the Museum at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 16 for a free presentation entitled In the Know: How the Ghosts of World War I Came Back to Haunt The Lord of the Rings. The program offers an in-depth look at how Tolkien's experiences in World War I shaped the trilogy. Garth, author of the biography Tolkien and the Great War and Fellow in Humanistic Studies at the Black Mountain Institute, reveals how the return of suppressed memories of the battle, and of friends lost there, influenced the Lord of the Rings.

The Museum continues its Talking Tolkien series at 6 p.m. on Friday, July 29 with a free program from Museum Archivist and Edward Jones Research Center Manager Jonathan Casey examining the influence of WWI on Tolkien's writings to be followed by a presentation of the film The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.

The centenary of the Battle of the Somme, one of the bloodiest battles in human history with more than 1 million casualties, will be commemorated around the world on July 1. Join the in the nation's commemoration with the Kansas City Celtic Pipes and Drums in a free evening ceremony and performance at 8 p.m. at the Museum's Memorial Courtyard.

The Kansas Army National Guard's 35th Infantry Division Band presents its annual A Home Front Concert onWednesday, July 6 at 2 p.m. in the Museum's J.C. Nichols Auditorium. The free concert includes military marches, patriotic tunes and big band selections.

Do you know how a little boy could stop a war? Join Museum educators for a family-friendly craft session and reading of children's book Mannekin Pis by Vladimir Radunsky on how the legendary Belgian boy showed the world just how silly it is to fight. The free program is at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 9.

A film screening of the award-winning French feature Séraphine takes place on Friday, July 15 at 6 p.m. Based on a true story, the movie explores the of the life and art of a maid discovered by a famous German art critic on the eve of the First World War. This free event is presented in partnership with the Alliance Française de Kansas City.

Other events in July include Hands-on History (Saturdays, 11 a.m.) in which people can inspect and handle items from the Great War; Pilates in the Park hosted by the Kansas City Ballet School (July 2, 9 a.m.); Day in the Life (July 10, all day) in which the Living History Volunteer Corps address the experiences of soldiers serving on less well known fronts during World War I; and the broadcasting of amateur radio station WW1USA for 31 straight hours (July 23-24, all day) features the opportunity for individuals to contact other operators across the world.

The National World War I Museum and Memorial holds the most diverse 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.

July National World War I Museum and Memorial Events:

· Every Wednesday: World War Wednesdays (all tickets $7)

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

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

· Friday, July 1: Somme Commemoration, 8 p.m. (FREE to Public)

· Saturday, July 2: Pilates in the Park, 9 a.m. (FREE with RSVP)

· Wednesday, July 6: 35th Infantry Division Band: A Home Front Concert, 2 p.m. (FREE to the public)

· Saturday, July 9: Storytime: Mannekin Pis, 11 a.m. (FREE with RSVP)

· Sunday, July 10: Day in the Life: Soldiers of the War - The Other Fronts 1916, All day (FREE to the public)

· Wednesday, July 13: Verdun 1916: Failure Considered As Success, 6:30 p.m. (FREE with RSVP)

· Friday, July 15: Film Friday: Séraphine, 6 p.m. (FREE with RSVP)

· Saturday, July 16: In the Know: How the Ghosts of World War I Came Back to Haunt The Lord of the Rings, 1 p.m. (FREE with RSVP)

· Saturday and Sunday, July 23 - 24: WW1USA Amateur Radio Station, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (FREE to the public)

· Friday, July 29: Talking Tolkien: The Two Towers, 6 p.m. (FREE with RSVP)

About the National World War I Museum and Memorial - The National World War I 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 holds the most diverse 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 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 World War I 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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