The First World War transformed our world in profound ways that still affect us today. This family program explores a wide range of stories from WWI about technological advances that radically reshaped modern warfare, including aviation, and social experiences of the first large-scale industrial war that affected millions of people.  The day will feature presentations, exhibition tours, and hands-on activities.

 

Timed Presentations

World War I Aircraft with Dan Taylor
Dan Taylor, New York radio personality and pilot, will discuss flying WWI vintage aircraft. 
10:30-11:30 am and 1:30-2:30 pm
In Legend, Memory and the Great War in the Air (Gallery 206)

Artist Soldiers Tour with Curator Peter Jakab
Peter Jakab, curator of the Artist Soldiers: Artistic Expression in the First World War exhibition, will lead tours and discussions about the exhibition.
12:30 and 2:30 pm
In Artist Soldiers (Gallery 211)

Flights of Fancy Stories for Children
Story time for ages 3 and up! 
11:00 am and 1:30 pm
In Barron Hilton Pioneers of Flight Gallery (Gallery 208)

Telescopes During World War I
Learn about how visual signaling was used during the war when it was not possible to lay landline. Messages were sent using Morse Code and signal devices where telescopes were needed to read those signals. 
12:00 to 3:00 pm
At the Phoebe Waterman Haas Public Observatory

Docent Tours about World War I
The National Air and Space Museum's legendary docents will do formal tours highlighting World War I.
11:45 am and 1:45 pm
Meet at the Welcome Center (Gallery 100)

All Day Presentations and Activities

Out of the Archives
The National Air and Space Museum Archives will highlight the Museum's World War I collection, showcasing how pre-war technology was adpated for wartime purposes. The presentation will also feature letters from the home front. 
In Boeing Milestones of Flight Hall (Gallery 100)

World War I: Lessons and Legacies Poster Exhibition
View a newly released traveling exhibit on the influence of World War I on American life and talk to Museum curator Larry Burke and Abby Pfister from the National Museum of American History. 
In Boeing Milestones of Flight Hall (Gallery 108)

World War I Reenactors
Visit with WWI reenactors and talk with Museum curators Roger Connor and Chris Moore about their display of World War I artifacts and equipment.
In Boeing Milestones of Flight Hall (Gallery 100)

Escape and Evasion Map
Find out how World War I pilots made their way back home with hidden maps.
In America by Air (Gallery 102)

Design a Medal of Freedom
Create your own Medal of Freedom and find out the role African American soldiers played in earning the medal during World War I.
In Jet Aviation (Gallery 106)

How to attend

National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC

6th St. and Independence Ave SW. Washington, DC 20560