Inside Scoop: Lora Vogt

Lora Vogt, curator of education at the National World War I Museum, creates community education programming and interpretive materials at the museum and at www.theworldwar.org. “When I’m not making plans to support the upcoming Centennial of World War I, I’m part of the planning team for the ‘Inspire Freedom’ weekend,” she says. 

GP: Best way to spend a Friday night in Kansas City?

Lora: I have a pretty simple formula because there are so many great live events in the city. I’ll usually start by grabbing a bite at one of the delicious happy hours around town (Bluestem), then go to a live event (First Friday or a concert) and follow up with dessert. The Downtown KC and VisitKC e-blasts are helpful to keep up with what all is going on.

GP: Best way to spend a Saturday morning in KC?

Lora: I like to start with breakfast at Classic Cup on the Plaza and then move on to running errands as I listen to KCUR at 89.3 FM on the dial (preferably without a foot of snow!) and getting out for a run or going to the dog park. 

GP: Best way to relax in KC?

Lora:  I relax by taking my dog to Shawnee Mission Park for some trail running. I’m an avowed tea drinker, but Kansas City has turned me to the joys of coffee, so I've found myself searching for the best (not too-high-octane) coffee in the city. So far, I enjoy Hi-Hat, Oddly Correct or Latteland.

GP: Best KC attractions for kids?

Lora: My in-state nieces and nephew (ages 11, 8, 3) love visiting Kansas City. Though it was a tough decision on their part, their final favorites were the T-Rex Cafe and Crown Center (Kaleidoscope, LEGOLAND, SEA LIFE Aquarium) and, of course, the National World War I Museum.

GP: Best place to go for a stroll?

Lora:  Loose Park.

GP: Best place to dine on a date in KC?

Lora:  Rieger Hotel/Manifesto, Westport Café & Bar, Room 39.



GP: Best place to dine with kids in KC?

Lora: Getting Oklahoma Joe's Bar-B-Que as takeout and heading to a park or, in the winter, back home for game night. On Veteran’s Day last year, the Over There Café at the National World War I Museum debuted World War I-themed food, such as trench stew and chipped beef. It was a huge hit with kids and parents, and we’ll be looking to incorporate similar items into a new menu that we’ll debut later this year.

GP: Best place to lunch in KC?

Lora:  The Filling Station on Union Hill has delicious sandwiches and fresh juices. You can take little eaters, gluten-free or vegan eaters, or have a fast lunch in the middle of the workday. 

GP: Most FUN place to visit in KC?

Lora: A Sporting KC game. They are the best club with the best fans, and that stadium is electric with energy at game time.

GP: Most BEAUTIFUL place to visit in KC?

Lora:  I'm lucky to work at the museum. When I leave work in the evenings, the view of the sunset from the Liberty Memorial courtyard is spectacular. We actually have people from across the country come to the Liberty Memorial to propose because of the gorgeous views of the city.

GP: When you think of KC, you think of ____?

Lora: I think of the people who make this a tremendous city to live in. 



GP: Favorite spring tradition in KC?

Lora:  Celebration at the Station. The community, the KC Symphony and amazing fireworks—Kansas City does Memorial Day right.

GP: Favorite summer tradition in KC?

Lora: I love shopping for fresh produce and flowers at the River Market. I also enjoy the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival (Free Will) in Southmoreland Park and a Ginger Shandy on McCoy's patio.

GP: Must-see KC attraction for out-of-town guests and why?

Lora: It's the same advice a friend shared with me before I moved to Kansas City: "The National World War I Museum is awesome.  Really just a first-rate museum; I've spent hours in there and I'm still happy to take visitors back." Literally, I copied that from an email! Now that I work at the museum, I also can confirm we have the kindest volunteers and, with the centennial of World War I on the horizon, there will be even more opportunities to get involved and reasons to visit.

 GP: Best-kept secret in KC?

Lora: People don’t seem to realize that First Fridays in the Crossroads (www.KCCrossroads.org) happen year-round.

GP: Favorite museum in KC and why?

Lora:  The National World War I Museum, of course! Congress designated this as the official World War I Museum in the United States, and it’s right here in Kansas City. You can’t see anything like what we have in our collection anywhere else in the world. That’s pretty special. It’s a great museum for people of all ages and interests: kids, history buffs, non-history buffs. We have interesting exhibitions and objects for everyone.

GP: Best place to hear live music in KC?

Lora: We have several good music venues in Kansas City: Green Lady Lounge, the Phoenix, Crossroads KC, Uptown Theater and the Kauffman Center.

GP: One thing we left off our best-of list of questions that we should've included?

Lora: Best pizza: Johnny Jo's in West Plaza.