In Belgium today it can be hard to imagine the brutal fighting that took place during the Great War nearly 100 years ago. But in the city of Waregem, Flanders Field American Cemetery serves as a reminder of America’s role in World War I. Built on the grounds of an actual battlefield, today the cemetery is surrounded by a suburban neighborhood. But within those hallowed grounds rest the remains of 368 Americans that gave their lives in the defense of Belgium, with another 43 commemorated on the Walls of the Missing.

To coincide with the Centennial of the Great War, the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) is renovating the existing Flanders Field American Cemetery Visitor Center to create an interpretive experience for visitors. As ABMC’s smallest cemetery, and its only World War I cemetery in Belgium, the site plays a critical part in demonstrating America’s role in the area during the war.

In recent years, the visitor center included office space for cemetery staff, a center location for visitors to pick-up information about the site, and a small reception area to welcome guests. In the past, the space also served as the superintendent’s quarters, the crew’s garage, and the Gold Star Mother reception room.  The renovation work, which began in April 2016, will transform the existing space into a series of exhibits that include interactive touch screens, panels and a small movie theater.

These exhibits will demonstrate how the American Army drew from all walks of life—different ethnic groups, including recent immigrants; various geographic regions of the United States; and citizens from military and non-military professions. The exhibits will also underscore the special American/Belgian bond that has developed over this past century through the shared experience of the war. And visitors will understand that the permanent cemetery was created out of the temporary site—showing the unique role of ABMC in the planning, design, construction and maintenance of American overseas cemeteries.

This new visitor center will explore all of these ideas, while bringing the visitor a piece of the 1920s. As part of the renovations, the reception area will be kept as historical as possible. The original design of this room intentionally mimicked the look of a parlor in the attempt to create a welcoming space for grieving mothers, widows, and families. The updated visitor center will also include office space for staff. This renovated nearly 2800 square foot space is expected to reopen in 2017.

ABMC is dedicated to bringing excellent experiences to visitors around the globe through new visitor centers. The Normandy American Cemetery Visitor Center opened in 2007, followed by visitor centers at Cambridge American Cemetery, Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Pointe du Hoc in 2014. A renovated visitor center at Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery is schedule to open in 2016.