Contact: Mike Vietti, National WWI Museum and Memorial, 816-888-8122, mvietti@theworldwar.org
KANSAS CITY, MO. – The National WWI Museum and Memorial announced a $550,000 gift from the Hall Family Foundation today.
The gift from the Hall Family Foundation will be used to upgrade the Museum and Memorial’s chillers as well as air handlers. Chillers regular the air temperature in the building, while air handlers distribute air evenly throughout the interior. Both items are essential to the lifespan and durability of the Museum and Memorial’s collection.
“This gift is absolutely essential to the ongoing operation of America’s official World War I museum and memorial,” said National WWI Museum and Memorial President and CEO Dr. Matthew Naylor. “Visitors from across the globe travel to Kansas City to experience the world’s most comprehensive WWI collection, so possessing modern technological equipment to maintain the collection is crucial. We’re thrilled with the continued support from the Hall Family Foundation and congratulate the organization on celebrating 75 years of making a difference in the community.”
For a building the size of the Museum and Memorial, much of the air used for the controls necessary to meet the specific air quality standards for artifacts is processed by the chiller system that removes heat from air. Because of these air quality requirements, this operation is necessary year-round, even when the outside temperature is near freezing. Air handlers address unconditioned, unfiltered air carrying moisture, spores, dirt and other debris from the outside pulled into the building through doorways and other openings.
“The Hall Family Foundation is pleased to provide this support to the National WWI Museum and Memorial,” said Hall Family Foundation Vice President Angela Andresen Smart. “We understand the Museum and Memorial must continually plan for and fund building maintenance to keep the facility in great shape for its visitors. These improvements to the air handlers and chillers will also contribute to energy efficiency and reduce costs over time.”
The gift from the Hall Family Foundation continues a long-standing tradition of supporting the Museum and Memorial, including Hallmark’s production of postcards in the 1920’s featuring the Memorial. Most recently, the Hall Family Foundation pledged $2.03 million in 2015 in laying the foundation for the Museum and Memorial’s $25 million “Call to Duty” Centennial Capital Campaign. The funds were used to construct the Wylie Gallery, which opened in February 2018 and has housed internationally acclaimed exhibitions, including John Singer Sargent Gassed and For Liberty: American Jewish Experience in WWI.
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.
Media interested in covering any of the Museum and Memorial’s offerings should contact Mike Vietti at 816-888-8122 or mvietti@theworldwar.org.
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.