National WWI Memorial Project Timeline

Public Law 112-272 was introduced to Congress by Representative Ted Poe (R-TX). This provided for the creation of the World War One Centennial Commission, a non-taxpayer funded agency tasked with overseeing the design and construction of a National World War One Memorial in Washington, DC's Pershing Park, as well as educational and commemorative efforts to increase national awareness of the First World War.

The World War One Centennial Commission for their inaugural meeting in Kansas City, Missouri at the National World War One Museum at Liberty Memorial.

At the Commission's fourth meeting, the Commissioners discussed finalizing draft legislation for Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) to introduce to Congress to recognize the Liberty Memorial and Pershing Park as National World War One Memorials.

Vice Chair Edwin Fountain testifies to Congress in support of the World War One Memorial Act of 2014.

Pritzker Military Museum and Library donates $5 million to the World War One Centennial Commission in an effort to support the Commission's goals of commemorating those who fought and educating Americans about the Great War.

Public Law 113-291, containing an amendment to the Commemorative Works Act, is enacted, allowing for donor contributions to be made for commemorative works projects. This allows for private sponsors to donate money to the construction of a WWI Memorial and for a sponsor to be openly acknowledged somewhere on the Memorial.

WWICC publicly announced a forthcoming competition to design a National World War I Memorial located in Pershing Park on Pennsylvania Avenue, one block east of the White House.

Over 350 different designs received for Stage I of the Design Competition.

Stage II design concept selections announced. Five concepts were selected by the commission to proceed to Stage II. Those selected include: "Plaza to the Forgotten War" submitted by Brian Johnsen, AIA; Sebastian Schmaling, AIA, LEEP AP; and Andrew Cesarz, at Johnsen Schmaling Architects, Milwaukee, WI; "World War One Memorial Concept" submitted by Devin Kimmel, Principal at Kimmel Studio, llc in Annapolis, MD"; "The Weight of Sacrifice" submitted by Joseph Weishaar of Chicago, IL; "An American Family Portrait Wall in the Park" submitted by STL Architects in Chicago, IL; and "Heroes' Green" submitted by Maria Counts, of Counts Studio in Brooklyn, NY.

Public Display of Design Competition Stage II Finalist Designs at Wilson Building in downtown Washington, DC, with simultaneous online exhibition receiving public comments.

The July publishes a report to the WWICC on the five Stage II designs.

First presentation to the US Commisson of Fine Arts: CFA notes a fundamental challenge between presevation and re-conceptualization of the historic park designed by Paul M. Friedberg.

A revised design with the sculpture nested within the Western Terrace with a viewing platform, is presented and the general approach and concept is approved.

Design continues and another progress report is presented to the CFA

The memorial revisions, refinements on scultpture, secondary interpretive elements and planting strategy are presented. The CFA voices strong support for the landscape and planting approach.

The lighting design, furnishing and materials selection are presented. The furnishing and materials are approved.

CFA approves the interpretive elements and detailing with revisions to the sculpture details.

An 80-page Design document detailing the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C. summarizing the work and collaboration over the past 35 months is presented. In a major project milestone, the design document is unanimously approved by the US Commission of Fine arts.