National history museum

National WWI Museum and Memorial

The institution documents a major family gift from Joan Barkley Wells: her father John Lewis Barkley’s original Medal of Honor, correspondence, other decorations, and an oil portrait by Howard Chandler Christy. The museum states his original medal and portrait are displayed in its Main Gallery.

MOH-MUS-000096Evidence reviewed 2026-10-10Open to the public

National World War I Museum and Memorial entrance, Kansas CityPhoto: National WWI Museum; CC0 1.0 · CC0 1.0 ↗ · Source ↗

Historical context

About this institution

Kansas City’s Liberty Memorial and the National World War I Museum grew out of a community effort to commemorate veterans of the Great War. The expanded museum opened in 2006 and presents original objects, personal correspondence, uniforms, large-scale historical interpretation, and galleries devoted to American participation in the conflict.

Why it matters to Medal of Honor research

Kansas City’s Liberty Memorial and the National World War I Museum grew out of a community effort to commemorate veterans of the Great War. The expanded museum opened in 2006 and presents original objects, personal correspondence, uniforms, Original object provenance and public visitor status are kept distinct.

Collection guide

What to look for

The following highlights summarize the strongest verified reasons to include this institution in the archive. They are a planning guide, not a promise that every object is on view at all times.

Original Medal of Honor of John Lewis Barkley

Howard Chandler Christy portrait and Barkley family papers

Main Gallery and Memory Hall contextualize World War I service

Verified connections

Medal of Honor relationships

2 total1 original medal

Original Medal of Honor

John Lewis Barkley

The museum identifies John Lewis Barkley’s original Medal of Honor, donated by daughter Joan Barkley Wells along with portrait and correspondence, as part of the Main Gallery exhibit.

Record: Barkley family donation and Main Gallery medal

Verified 2026-10-10 · Current, display status not specified

Evidence sources and scope

Portrait of John Lewis Barkley: original medal and family-donated collection ↗National WWI Museum and Memorial

Direct item provenance is sourced. Physical ownership and regular visitor viewing are separate statements.

Correspondence

John Lewis Barkley

The National WWI Museum documents John Lewis Barkley’s personal correspondence in its donor collection along with his original medal and commissioned portrait.

Record: Barkley family personal correspondence

Verified 2026-10-10 · Current, display status not specified

Evidence sources and scope

Portrait of John Lewis Barkley: original medal and family-donated collection ↗National WWI Museum and Memorial

Direct item provenance is sourced. Physical ownership and regular visitor viewing are separate statements.

Collection focus

Historical specialties

World War I original uniforms and decorationsJohn Lewis Barkley original Medal of HonorThe Liberty Memorial

Service connections

U.S. Army

Conflict connections

World War I

Visitor planning

2 Memorial Drive
Kansas City, Missouri, 64108
United States

Open location in OpenStreetMap ↗Official website ↗Current visitor information ↗Collection or exhibit information ↗

Gallery placement is described by the museum in a 2020 collection spotlight; confirm current placement before visiting.
The Liberty Memorial and museum are co-located, with distinct areas and admission options.

Admission prices, opening schedules, installation rules, and object availability are left to the institution because they can change.

Access status

Open to the public

Map point: 39.08068, -94.58608 · Verified Openstreetmap Museum Feature

Institution sources

Portrait of John Lewis Barkley: original medal and family-donated collection ↗National WWI Museum and Memorial · Priority 1
Plan a Visit to the National WWI Museum and Memorial ↗National WWI Museum and Memorial · Priority 1

Archive standard

“Original Medal of Honor” relationships require direct source evidence. A location record is not described as a current public display unless the institution confirms display status.