February 2008
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Missouri Times The State Historical Society of Missouri & Western Historical Manuscript Collection FEBRUARY 2008 VOL . 3, NO. 4 Genealogy Classes aid new researchers The State Historical Society of Missouri and Genealogical Society of Central Missouri (GSCM) jointly sponsored classes (January 15-February 19, 2008) for nearly twenty beginning genealogists. Over the six-week course, sessions increased in complexity to ease newcomers slowly into the world of research. The first class focused on gather- ing information, recording data, and citing sources, then The MoHiP cast taking a bow after the performance (l-r) Matt Galbreath, Clyde Ruffin, Courtneyjo Washington, Cheryl moved to more detailed and Black, and Phil Groeschel. in-depth methods of research- ing family roots. Society Takes Performance to Boonville The second class used The State Historical Society of Missouri’s Mo- Tim Jackman of Fayette was in the audience newspapers to highlight infor- HiP Theater presented The Escape, or A Leap for with members from his church, St. Paul United mation that can provide clues Freedom on February 2 for an audience of roughly Methodist, and noted, “It’s great any time you leading to successful research two hundred at Boonville’s beautifully restored have a community event that brings people to- pursuits. Student genealogists were asked to brave the cold Thespian Hall. The presentation focused on the gether to better understand our history. Several and inclement weather to at- life and writings of William Wells Brown, a slave, church members looked toward this program as tend the third week of classes, abolitionist, lecturer, novelist, lyricist, and the first an opportunity to observe rather than lead par- where they learned about the African American to publish a play, The Escape, in ticipation, and we met to share a fellowship din- family history information that 1858. The Society joined the Friends of Historic ner before the program. Whenever it’s possible can be found in federal census Boonville and the University of Missouri Depart- to present something like this so that our youth ment of Theatre to showcase this production. records, and during the fourth can learn, it’s a special opportunity.” week, instead of class, there MoHiP Theater (Missouri History in Perfor- Frank and Julie Thacher of Boonville offered, mance) is coordinated through the Society’s Pro- was assisted research. “It was just marvelous.” Frank continued, “The The final two sessions saw gram Committee by Mary Barile, a specialist in Friends of Historic Boonville were thrilled with the dramatic composition, with the mission of bring- former GSCM President Anne event and we are hoping to do more with MoHiP ing to life the stories that make up Missouri’s rich Miller share her expertise in Theater, especially in our unique Thespian Hall.” history. MoHiP uses a reader’s theater format to the use of probate records, and Society trustee and Boonville resident Dale present original scripts from primary resources Society reference specialist or historical plays. Cheryl Black, associate pro- Reesman said, “It was a wonderful performance, Amy Waters offered advice on fessor of theatre at MU, adapted the script from especially to be done in a theater built about the the many ways computers can Brown’s writings, performed in, and directed the same time as Brown was writing the script. The ease research, whether through production. Clyde Ruffin, Department of Theatre reader’s theater method was very effective, well the Internet or by helping to chair, held the role of William Wells Brown with accepted by the audience.” create record forms to avoid honor and also voiced the humorous slave Cato. Plans are underway for more MoHiP pro- scattered notes. Additional cast members were Matt Galbreath, grams, including one drawn from nineteenth- Genealogical societies, li- Phil Groeschel, and Courtneyjo Washington. century newspapers, another from letters written braries, or other organizations Acclaimed Boonville folksingers Cathy during World War II, and a third using primary that would like to host these Barton and Dave Para opened the evening with source material on the life of ragtime musician classes should contact the So- music of the period, singing abolitionist and John William “Blind” Boone. ciety’s newspaper library at freedom songs—one attributed to Brown—to For more information, contact Christine (573) 882-1180 for more in- establish the emotional tone for the dramatic Montgomery, [email protected], formation about the availabil- reading that followed. (573) 882-2476. ity of traveling workshops. Upcoming Exhibit • Thomas Hart Benton in the 1930s will be on display in the Society’s Main Gallery from April 12 through August 9, 2008. During the 1930s, Missouri artist Thomas Hart Benton became a leading figure in the regionalist movement, emerging as one of America’s best-known artists. This exhibition examines Benton’s artwork from the decade, with a focus on lithographs and drawings that reflect his aesthetic and political ideas while providing insight into America’s social climate during the Great Depression. Current Exhibits Missouri Farmyard by Thomas Hart Benton • Picturing Native Americans in the Nineteenth Century: Lithographs from McKenney and Hall’s History of the Indian Tribes of North America is on Ioway Presentation Explains Tribal History display in the Society’s Main Gallery through March 15, 2008. Thomas McKenney, former head of the Despite inclement weather, ap- the Ioway were subdued through the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, worked with writer proximately thirty people were in subversion of their traditional tribal attendance January 29 to hear Greg James Hall to publish a large portfolio of portraits economy and culture. One of the Olson’s presentation, ‘“This Land guiding principles of the Ioway was and biographies of American Indians in 1832. This Here is Difficult’: The Ioway in to strive for balance in all things. To exhibit features many of the remarkable hand-colored Missouri, 1800-1838.” Olson, the achieve a balance of power in tribal lithographs that illustrated the book. Viewers are curator of special exhibits at the affairs, two clans shared the respon- encouraged to contemplate the images and consider Missouri State Archives and au- sibility of governing: the Buffalo how they influenced past and present perceptions of thor of an forthcoming book about clan ruled during the spring and the Native Americans in the United States and abroad. the Ioway Indians, discussed the summer, and the Bear clan led in the tribe’s history and culture in the fall and winter. Olson described the • Missouri Cities: Images from the Permanent Society’s Main Gallery, where the U.S. government’s role in break- portraits of several Ioway leaders Collection is on display in the Society’s North-South ing down this balance by appoint- from the period are included in the Corridor Gallery through April 18, 2008. This exhi- ing one man (usually one sympa- current exhibition, Picturing Native bition features photographs, engravings, lithographs, thetic to the government’s needs) as Americans in the Nineteenth Cen- drawings, and watercolors that depict Missouri’s tury: Lithographs from McKenney “chief” to represent the tribe. This smaller towns and villages as well as the state’s larg- and Hall’s Indian Tribes of North allowed negotiators to circumvent est cities. Created by a wide variety of artists, the America. the more cumbersome Ioway pro- artworks and photos date from the nineteenth and During the first four decades of cess of government, which included twentieth centuries and showcase a range of talent. the nineteenth century, the Ioway allowing everyone a say before the tribal lands included the northern ruling council when making deci- portion of Missouri. Despite the sions. Olson talked of the Ioway group’s relatively small number, tribe today as a group continuing to Ioway culture managed to flour- reorganize and revitalize as a cul- ish until the arrival of European ture. There are now two areas of Americans. Unlike other tribes who tribal lands—in northeast Kansas were vanquished by military force, and in Oklahoma. News Notes On January 6-7, 2008, the Society welcomed a peer review by Dr. Joe Porter, chief curator at the North Carolina Museum of History, as part of the second phase of the American Association of Museums’ Museum As- sessment Program (MAP). The Society will now enter the third and final phase of MAP, which will involve implementation of key recommenda- tions stemming from Porter’s review and a self-study conducted by the Society in 2007. Wooldridge, Cooper County by Laurence Hedlund, from Missouri Cities: Images from the Permanent Collection The Society’s Web site has been expanded and redesigned. Go online at shs.umsystem.edu to view the new layout and features. Donors Vince DeMarco, Columbia Ara and Irwin Kaye, Columbia The following individuals and organiza- Petra DeWitt, Rolla Richard S. Kirkendall, Seattle, WA tions have graciously contributed materials Joe Dillard, Columbia Traci Wilson Kleekamp, Columbia and/or $100 or more to the Society during Dan Dobson, New Franklin Gary Kremer, Jefferson City the past year. Dale C. Doerhoff, Jefferson City Virginia Laas, Joplin AmerenUE, Fulton English Westerners Society, Bromley, Ralph and Betty Lamberson, Wheaton American Association of University Kent, United Kingdom Mark H. Laughlin, Kirksville Women, Columbia Laura Erdel, Columbia Robert H. Leach, Columbia Rennick Andreoli, Akron, OH Exchange Bank, Jefferson City Leavenworth County Historical Society, Charles Arnest, Bend, OR Leavenworth, KS John Bradley Arthaud, San Antonio, TX James L. Fergason, Menlo Park, CA Stephen Lemkuhle, Rochester, MN Ashby-Hodge Gallery, Fayette Robert D. Ferguson, Pueblo, CO Gene Charles Lemmon estate, Miami, FL David Austin, Jefferson City Cecilia M. Fitch estate, Kansas City David A. Lewis, Modoc, IL David F. Baker, Hendersonville, NC William E. Foley, Warrensburg Lewis and Clark Society of America, John Ballard family, Columbia Richard Franklin, Independence Hartford, IL Lawrence Barton, Glen Echo Park Friends of Arrow Rock, Arrow Rock Stephen N.