Richard picked us up and drove us to the National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial while he went off for some personal errands. We had a great tour and saw lots of interesting "stuff" from that period in our nation's history. The museum is divided into two sections: the first part of the war in Europe before the USA was involved and then after the sinking of the Lusitania (a Cunard ship with many US passengers on board, we learned) when the USA became involved. The depictions and timelines were so clearly communicated that it was easy to follow. We were impressed by the number of women who were involved in that conflict.
There was also the Liberty Tower which we rode an elevator almost to the top and then climbed the rest up to the roof for a fantastic view of Kansas City.
Then Richard joined us and we went off to the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. Unlike Fort Knox two years ago, the FRB welcomed us in for a self-guided tour (after we surrendered our drivers' licenses and went through a metal detector.)
WOW! We saw so much money and couldn't touch any of it! There was an interesting film about how KC won the right to be the 10th Federal Reserve District, beating out Denver, Oklahoma City and Omaha. We tried to compare an authentic $20 bill with a counterfeit one; but even with a magnifying glass, we were unable to do so.
We did each receive a bag of shredded paper money when we left which they claim contains $165 worth of unfit (damaged) currency.
It is also interesting that the states in the tenth federal district -- western Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Wyoming, Colorado and northern New Mexico -- have all been part of our journey!
At Joan's request, we then visited the Hallmark Visitors Center for a self-guided tour. This proved to be surprisingly interesting. Mr. Hall, the founder, and now his sons and grandsons have done an amazing job. What a beautiful place to work......and quite a complex!
From the greeting cards (when you care enough to send the very best), wrapping paper, Christmas decorations and such, to the Hallmark TV Channel, this privately owned company has made its mark around the world.
We will have dinner with Richard and Isabel again tonight. Enjoy the photos -- especially me on a $100,000 bill!
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