The National WWI Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri, is taking a bold leap into the future while honoring the past with its latest high-tech exhibit, “Encounters.”
Set to open over Memorial Day weekend, the installation promises to immerse visitors in the personal experiences of those who lived through World War I — not just through traditional displays, but with state-of-the-art technology that makes history feel astonishingly real.
“Encounters” is part of the museum’s ongoing multi-year renovation project, the most ambitious upgrade since the institution opened its doors in 2006.
Since 2023, the museum has been transforming its buildings and grounds to create what it describes as “a richer and more immersive visitor experience.”
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These changes are not merely cosmetic — they are about transforming the way stories of the Great War are told.
“This isn’t just about better lighting or modern signage,” a museum representative explained.
“We’re using cutting-edge technology to humanize the war and connect visitors emotionally with the individuals who lived through it.”
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And connect they will. “Encounters” features the stories of 16 individuals from all sides of the conflict, including Allied and Central Power soldiers, British colonial troops from India, women who worked in munitions factories, and even pacifists who were imprisoned for speaking out against the war.
Their stories are told through personal letters, photographs, and diary entries, bringing their struggles, hopes, and fears to life in intimate detail.
The exhibit is also breaking new ground in its use of visual and auditory technology. Central to its display is a Nanolumens 1.25 mm Pixel Pitch LED system — the first of its kind ever installed in a U.S. museum.
These ultra-high-resolution screens serve as vivid canvases for reconstructed historical scenes, offering a visual experience that borders on cinematic.
But it doesn’t stop at visuals. The museum has partnered with audio engineers to incorporate advanced soundscape technology, previously found only in the Las Vegas Sphere.
“The spatial audio used in this exhibit creates a 360-degree sound environment, making it feel as if the voices, sounds, and stories are unfolding around visitors in real time,” the museum’s press release states.
From battlefield cries to quiet moments of reflection in a hospital ward, the sounds envelop guests, making them feel like participants in the unfolding drama rather than mere spectators.
This immersive approach builds upon the museum’s earlier innovations. In 2021, it debuted “War Remains,” a virtual reality experience that dropped visitors directly into WWI trenches. Created by filmmaker and museum director Brandon Oldenburg, the experience simulated the terrifying effects of battle in a way that left a lasting impression.
“We wanted to simulate what it was like to lose your hearing to an explosion,” Oldenburg said.
“Skywalker sound does an amazing job of putting ringing in your ears. You feel it, but you can’t hear it. … I think it makes a lasting memory of what it was like even though it is not even coming close to the real thing. You can walk out alive [and] unscathed.”
Now, “Encounters” is raising the bar even higher. Instead of focusing solely on weaponry, tactics, or statistics, the new exhibit zeroes in on the human element of the war — the personal stories that often get lost in the broader sweep of history.
These aren’t just anonymous figures in sepia-toned photographs. They are relatable, deeply human individuals whose lives were shaped by the cataclysm of war.
“It’s not about the number of rivets on a Sopwith Triplane,” a museum staffer remarked.
“It’s about the hopes of a young woman making artillery shells. It’s about the doubts of a soldier writing home. It’s about the voices of dissent and the courage it took to raise them. That’s the story we’re trying to tell.”
The unveiling of “Encounters” marks just one milestone in a broader transformation. The museum’s renovation project will continue through 2025, with future phases expected to expand upon this immersive approach.
Each step reflects a growing commitment to pushing the boundaries of what a historical institution can be in the digital age.
In a world where attention is fleeting and historical memory often fades, the National WWI Museum and Memorial is making a powerful case for why history still matters — and how it can be felt, heard, and seen like never before.
For those planning to visit Kansas City this summer, “Encounters” offers more than just a walk through the past.
It’s an invitation to step into the lives of those who lived history — to see their world, hear their voices, and, for a few unforgettable moments, stand in their shoes.
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