XS, L.L.C.
Exceptional Events Since 1981 - Always an Enlightening Experience
Lighting - EFX - Sound - Video - Visual Accents - Accessories In Kansas City (816) 221-6966 FAX (816) 221-6970
XS, L.L.C.
Exceptional Events Since 1981 - Always an Enlightening Experience
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Liberty Memorial Profile The Liberty Memorial is one of our country’s greatest monuments, which by its size, character and meaning rivals the most famous memorials of our Capital. The Liberty Memorial is a masterpiece of American architecture born from a national design competition and a groundswell of public pride. The Liberty Memorial is one of the oldest memorial to peace and freedom in the United States. The Liberty Memorial Museurn is the only public museum in the United States specifically dedicated to the history of World War I. The Liberty Memorial Museurn has the largest and most important collection of World War 1 artifacts in the United States. Constructed over a three and one-half year span, it was dedicated on 11 November 1926. Like the Acropolis in Athens, the memorial is sited on the top of a hill overlooking downtown Kansas City, the Union Station and the surrounding business-cultural district. In 1994, the Liberty Memorial was closed due to structural and material deterioration. The original complex was designed by H. Van Buren Magonigle in an Egyptian Revival style and consists of the following elements: The Memorial Tower rises 217 feet above the surrounding observation deck and 268 feet above the north lawn. The cylindrical tower is 36 feet in diameter at its base and 28 feet in diameter at the top. An elevator is located within the shaft that transports visitors to an observation platform at the top. At the top of the tower, steam and accent lighting produce a continuous "flame" appearance that can be seen for miles at night. Near the top, of the shaft are carved four stone guardian angels. Sculpted by Robert Aitken, each is more than 40 feet high and represent Courage, Honor, patriotism and Sacrifice. The Sphinxes are located at the south stair and guard the approach to the memorial, Each is clad in limestone and is 12 feet long by 1S feet wide by 15 feet high The face of both sphinxes are covered by their wings. The sphinx facing west on the east side represent Future and the sphinx on the west facing east represents Memory. Memory Hall-and Museum Hall flank the tower on the observation deck. The two’.bui1dings, designed as ancient temples are 46.feet wide by 93 feet long. The entrance to the buildings is from the observation deck past two large urns and through a narrow, two-story high portico The east building is called Memory Hall and contains wall mounted murals battle maps and bronze memorial tablets that contain the names of the 401 Kansas Citians who died in the great war. The west building is the Museum Building and has traditionally contained a small exhibit for the museum. The Great Frieze is carved into the limestone of the north wall. The entire north wall is 48 feet in height and 488 feet in length. The frieze itself is 148 feet long and 18 feet high. It was sculpted by Edmond Amateis and depicts the progress from war to peace. The Fountain Court and Stairways beneath the north wall tie the complex to the north lawn. Two fountains are located on either side of a flight of stairs and consist of spray ring and cascading sheets of water, The Memorial Wall at the northern edge of the site near Pershing Road,. The stone wall holds the bronze busts of the five Allied Ieaders during the First World War. It commemorates the site dedication 1 November 1921. The Memorial Mall is located to the south of the Memorial itself and serves as the main entrance to the complex. The quarter mile long approach drive, separated by a level grassy area, is lined by a double row of formally planted Sugar Maple trees. |
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