Chateau-Thierry, France – The American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) announces the official inauguration of its new Chateau-Thierry American Monument Visitor Center on Hill 204 on May 27, 2018 at 7 p.m. This ceremony will include speeches and full access to the exhibits within the visitor center.

The World War I Chateau-Thierry American Monument, designed by Paul Cret, is located on a hill, overlooking the town of Chateau-Thierry, France, and commands a wide view of the Marne River Valley. It commemorates the sacrifices and achievements of the Americans and French before and during the Aisne-Marne and Oise-Aisne offensives in 1918. The monument was dedicated in 1937.

Since 2016, the ABMC has undertaken important renovation work at the Château-Thierry American Monument. This new 2,000-square-foot visitor center retraces the steps of the American Expeditionary Forces during World War I with a particular attention to operations in the southern Aisne region between June and August 1918. This new center will be open every day, except Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and the entrance is free.

Practical Information:

This ceremony is open to the public, but access to the parking lot of the monument will be strictly limited to guests with vehicle passes. Shuttles will be available for the public from the Place des États-Unis in Château-Thierry between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. These shuttles will drive people back at the end of the ceremony between 8:30 p.m. and 9:30.pm.

Bags and other luggage will be strictly forbidden during the event. It is highly recommended that all attendees bring an official ID to facilitate arrival on site.

Vehicle passes for journalists will be available until Sunday May 20^th, 2018. However, journalists must contact staff at Aisne-Marne American Cemetery to request a pass.

Journalists who would like to attend this inauguration should contact the ABMC press relations team to register ahead of the event. 

About American Battle Monuments Commission

This independent agency of the American federal government honors the services, the actions and the sacrifices of the American Armed Forces who served on foreign soil since April 6, 1917. The ABMC administers, operates and maintains 26 permanent American burial grounds and 29 separate memorials, monuments and markers, on foreign soil. It also maintains three memorials in the United States.

Press contact: Astrid Gaudefroy gaudefroya@abmc.gov / +33(0)6 07 59 85 14