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Empires

National WWI Museum launches ‘Empires at War’ Aug. 27

Sheila Gibson Stoodley
Sheila Gibson Stoodley
Russian officer’s winter hat, courtesy of the National WWI Museum and Memorial
Russian officer’s winter hat, courtesy of the National WWI Museum and Memorial

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Empires at War: Austria and Russia, the newest exhibition from the National WWI Museum and Memorial opens Friday, August 27.

An aspect of the war often less surveyed, the Eastern Front had cataclysmic results to the millions affected. By the close of World War I, four empires had collapsed, including both the Russian and the Austro-Hungarian Empires, and a new world order followed.

Austrian home front bowl showing an Austrian siege mortar crew, courtesy of the National WWI Museum and Memorial
Austrian home front bowl showing an Austrian siege mortar crew, courtesy of the National WWI Museum and Memorial

Drawing from original objects recently added to the Museum and Memorial’s collection, the exhibition features an extraordinary collection of never before seen Austrian and Russian material culture – uniforms, equipment, flags, hats, helmets and more.

Russian propaganda print of early fighting on the Eastern Front, courtesy of the National WWI Museum and Memorial

Russian propaganda print of early fighting on the Eastern Front, courtesy of the National WWI Museum and Memorial

Although the Museum and Memorial has been collecting internationally since 1920, material culture for the Eastern Front of the war has been difficult to acquire due in part to the collapse of their dynasties.

Austrian officer’s field cap, courtesy of the National WWI Museum and Memorial
Austrian officer’s field cap, courtesy of the National WWI Museum and Memorial

Visit the website for the National WWI Museum and Memorial and see its dedicated page for Empires at War: Austria and Russia.