National WWI Museum to debut Liberty's Beacon light show Sept. 25

The National WWI Museum and Memorial in Kansas City will launch Liberty's Beacon on Sept. 25, turning its tower and limestone facade into a free projection-mapping experience through Veterans Day. The installation marks the museum's 100th anniversary and the nation's 250th, blending art, public history and commemoration.

Why it matters: - Liberty's Beacon turns the National WWI Museum and Memorial's architecture into a public art installation tied to two milestones: the museum's 100th anniversary and the nation's 250th. - The free event is designed to draw visitors back throughout the fall and extend the museum's reach beyond traditional exhibits. - The installation links commemoration of World War I service members with a broader moment of national reflection.

What happened: - The National WWI Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri, announced Liberty's Beacon, a light, sound and motion installation launching Friday, Sept. 25. - The experience runs for seven weekends this fall, with an extended schedule through Veterans Day on Wednesday, Nov. 11. - Projection mapping will cover the museum's North Wall, Great Frieze and Liberty Memorial Tower. - The show is free, open to the public and requires no tickets.

The details: - Each performance lasts eight to 10 minutes. - Shows begin at 7:30 p.m. each night and repeat every 15 minutes at :00, :15, :30 and :45 until 10:30 p.m. - Visitors can spread a blanket or bring a picnic to the North Lawn. - The museum says guests are encouraged to return multiple times because each artist's interpretation will offer a different experience. - Access details and FAQs are available at Liberty's Beacon information. - The artist lineup includes Xavier de Richemont, Leslie Epsztein, Camille Gross and Onionlab. - Xavier de Richemont is a French video painter who spent 10 years as artistic director of the Festival of Lights in Chartres. - Leslie Epsztein and Camille Gross are Paris-based projection designers. - Onionlab is a Barcelona studio known for large-scale projection mapping work. - Each artist's work will be paired with an original score. - Premier sponsors include Kemper Family Foundations, Capitol Federal Foundation, Kornitzer Capital Management, Marion and Henry Bloch Family Foundation and The Hackman Family. - A full list of supporters is posted at libertysbeacon.org.

Between the lines: - The installation gives the museum a way to frame its centennial around immersive experience rather than a static anniversary celebration. - The project also leans on internationally known artists to signal scale and ambition. - Museum leadership is using the event to connect its founding values — Honor, Courage, Sacrifice and Patriotism — to a broader public audience. - A board-appointed committee is overseeing the project to balance artistic freedom with the memorial's mission.

What's next: - Liberty's Beacon opens Sept. 25 and continues on weekend nights through Nov. 11. - Visitors can check libertysbeacon.org for access details, FAQs and supporter information. - The museum is positioning the installation as the first major public-facing expression of its centennial year.