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Home , 2011 World Series, Allen Craig, Bill DeWitt III, Busch Stadium, David Freese, Jon Jay

Association for Museums and Archives NEWSLETTER Spring/Summer 2012 Volume 3 Number 1 & 2 Missouri’s cultural and historical community network

Officers and Council Members

Debra Loguda-Summers, Easy Collecting at the President (Museum of Osteopathic MedicineSM) Cardinals Hall of Fame Shelly Croteau, Vice-President (Missouri State Archives) by Paula Homan, of Museum Operations and Curator for the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame David Moore, Secretary

Linda Endersby, Treasurer One might imagine that the Cardinals Hall of Fame Museum has an easy job collecting (Missouri State Museum) the game-used equipment or game-worn jerseys of the team’s players, being part of the same organization, but it can be complicated. The Cardinals must fulfill several important Jess Rezac, Northwest Missouri Council Member (Andrew County needs with items coming out of the clubhouse, but the museum staff has developed a way Museum & Historical Society) to satisfy the collecting interests for preservation in the permanent collection.

Mark Adams, Kansas City Area Council Member (Truman The St. Louis Cardinals Museum & Library) Hall of Fame is the official team museum, David Jones, Southwest Missouri Council Member (Harold Bell responsible for telling Wright Museum) the stories of this

Steven Pledger, Southeast historic franchise from Missouri Area Member (Cape 1892 to the present. Girardeau County Archive Established in 1968, Center) the museum showcased Vickie Love, St. Louis Area all sports until focusing Council Member (First State only on Capitol Historic Site) beginning in 1992—the Barbara Magers, Northeast team’s Centennial as a Missouri Area Council Member (Museum of Osteopathic club. MedicineSM) The Redbirds hired their first museum Candace Stall, Central Missouri From left to right, ’s regular season home jersey (including a Area Council Member, Teams Unite for Joplin patch from June 17, 2011 ), ’s Sunday professional and a (Anthropology Museum cap, ’s road jersey, 2011 team signed baseball, Skip historian in 1993 to University of Missouri-Columbia) Shumaker bat, Lance Berkman bat, Nike shoes, gloves and custom-made shoes. Photographs courtesy of ensure that stewardship Greig Thompson, Council the St. Louis Cardinals. of the collection was Member-at-Large (State keeping pace with new Historical Society of Missouri) technologies for documentation. That’s when I joined the team with Erv Fischer. During Greg Olson, Council our first season together, Erv reminded me of collecting opportunities and we developed Member-at-Large (Missouri State Archives) a habit of requesting particular give-away items, the annual yearbook, media guide, and issues of the team’s magazine. We called this our “easy collecting.” Charles Nodler, Council Member-at-Large (Missouri Southern State University As our network of MLB team museums grew and ideas were shared amongst the group, Archives) we took our “easy collecting” concept one step further, following a practice by the Reds Hall of Fame. Each year, we tracked who on the team was having a good Cherie Cook, Council Member-at-Large (American year, had done something unique or spectacular, or was due to break a club, league or Association for State and Local Major League record. We submitted our wish list near the end of each season that had History) (contined on page 9) Spring/Summer 2012 Missouri Association for Museums and Archives Newsletter Page 2

The Missouri Association for Museums and Archives

is a non-profit organization for:

- public and private institutions, such as state Left to Right: Dave Para, Cathy Barton, Rick Dildine, Lana Pepper, Karen J. Jones, Pastor Earnestine Blakley, and local historical societies, Dr. Robert Baum, Dr. Mary Barile, Dr. Silvana R. Siddali, Brian Grubbs and Dr. Jeffrey Smith. Photograph ©dak archives, libraries, museums dillon photography. (science, art, history, children’s, etc.), historic Missouri Humanities Awards Celebrates Diverse sites, and national and state parks, Portfolio of Achievements - paid staff members,

Hundreds of the state’s lawmakers, community leaders, past award recipients and other - unpaid staff members, dignitaries gathered Wednesday, April 18, 2012 in Jefferson City to honor the humanities and to recognize 11 Missourians whose works have advanced a more civil, literate, - board members, thoughtful and democratic society. - and friends of these organizations. The keynote speaker for the evening was Chairman of the National Endowment for the The purpose of the Missouri Humanities and former U.S. Congressman Jim Leach, who focused his remarks on the Association of Museums need for a return to civility in our public political discourse and the democratic process. and Archives, a non-profit Chairman Leach called for a clear and urgent understanding of the importance of the organization, is to encourage communication, cooperation humanities in shaping and preserving our national character. and collaboration among museums, archives, The 2011-2112 awards recognized outstanding contributions in Education, Community historical societies, libraries Achievement, and Literature. In addition, the Missouri Humanities Awards saluted books and all persons who desire to affiliate with said that have increased our understanding and appreciation of Missouri’s history and culture. organizations in the State of Missouri. Excellence in Education: Dr. Robert Baum, University of Missouri, Columbia, for The Missouri Association exceptional leadership, creativity and wisdom in service at a Missouri public or private for Museums and Archives educational institution. c/o Linda Endersby Missouri State Museum Exemplary Community Achievement: Shakespeare Festival St. Louis; Cathy Barton Capitol Bldg., Room B-2 Jefferson City, MO 65101 and Dave Para, vocal and instrumental performers, Boonville; Karen J. Jones, St. Charles Community College, O’Fallon; Dr. Mary Barile, University of Missouri, Columbia; and Pastor Earnestine Blakley, Founder and President of H.O.P.E. Outreach Ministries, Inc., www.missourimuseums. St. Joseph. org

Distinguished Achievement in Literature: Brian Grubbs, “Community and Conflict: Newsletter Editors: Cherie Cook and Jess Rezac The Impact of the Civil War on the Ozarks,” Springfield; Kimberly Harper, “White Man’s Heaven: The Lynching and Expulsion of Blacks in the Southern Ozarks, 1894-1909,” Graphic Design: Columbia; Dr. Silvana R. Siddali, “Missouri’s War: the Civil War in Documents,” St. Greg Olson Louis; Dr. Jeffrey Smith, “The Confluence,” St. Louis. Spring/Summer 2012 Missouri Association for Museums and Archives Newsletter Page 3 Register now for “Telling Missouri’s Stories,” the 2012 MAMA/MHC joint conference

The Missouri Association for Museums and Archives 2012 annual meeting and conference will take place October 19-20, 2012 in Jefferson City, Missouri at the Jefferson City DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, sponsored by MAMA and the Missouri Humanities Council.

The 2012 conference will build on the themes at last year’s conference, presenting general information beneficial to museums and archives of all sizes.

The meeting will begin with behind-the-scenes tours of the Missouri State Archives and the Missouri State Museum on Friday afternoon, followed by an evening reception at the Capitol sponsored and hosted by Missouri State Museum. Saturday sessions include presentations on disaster preparedness, archival research issues, creating engaging visitor programming, and advocating for Missouri museums.

Registration for the conference will remain at $35 for members and students and $50 for non-members. A block of rooms has been set aside at the Jefferson City DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel for $114.

Conference registration is available online. Visit Missourimuseums.org/conference/2012 for easy access to conference registration and hotel reservations. If you prefer to register by mail, the registration form is available on page 12 of this newsletter.

MAMA Professional Development and Training Scholarships Available

MAMA offers scholarships to workshops, seminars and conferences. Scholarships are awarded to MAMA members with access to little or no institutional support, to offset the cost of attending professionally related educational conferences, workshops, symposia, and institutes. MAMA reserves the right to limit the number of scholarships available for any workshop, seminar or conference. Decisions of the MAMA scholarship committee are final.

Priority will be given to members who have not received a scholarship from MAMA in the past two years to attend a workshop, seminar or conference. A maximum of $250 will be awarded per person per year as available. The scholarship amount will be reimbursed to the awardee based on receipts for payment and proof of attendance. Recipients will be required to submit a brief report (approximately 300-500 words) summarizing their funded experience, which may used in the MAMA newsletter.

Eligibility for the MAMA Scholarship: • Be a MAMA member in good standing; • Professional development/training opportunity must be offered by approved organization;

Complete the scholarship application form and submit the application form by email, fax, or US mail to: Treasurer, Missouri Association for Museums and Archives c/o Missouri State Museum Capitol Building, Room B-2 Jefferson City, Missouri 65101 Email: [email protected] FAX: 573-522-9017

To download the scholarship form, please visit missourimuseums.org or use this shortlink: http://is.gd/rzx5TG. Spring/Summer 2012 Missouri Association for Museums and Archives Newsletter Page 4 2013 Conservation Assessment The Missouri Humanities Council and the State Historical Program Applications to be released Society of Missouri Launch October 1, 2012 Speakers Bureau Submitted by Sara Gonzales, The Missouri Humanities Council and Coordinator, Conservation Assessment Program the State Historical Society of Missouri are pleased to announce the return of The 2013 Conservation Assessment Program (CAP) application a state-wide speakers bureau. The two will become available on Heritage Preservation’s Web site at www. organizations have jointly launched a heritagepreservation.org on Monday, October 1, 2012. The deadline program called “Show Me Missouri: to submit 2013 applications is 11:59 p.m. on Monday, December 3, Conversations about Missouri’s Past, 2012. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so museums are Present, and Future” to provide speakers encouraged to apply as soon as the application is released. on topics related to the history, literature, and culture of Missouri. At present there CAP is a federally-funded program that provides professional are over 20 different basic presentations conservation assessments for small to mid-sized museums of all types. available for you to choose from, or you The program also funds historic buildings assessments for institutions can request a special custom program with buildings that are 50 years or older. The assessment process helps tailored for the interests of your audience. museum professionals improve their institutions’ conservation policies and procedures, learn conservation and historic preservation best Hosting a program is easy, low cost and practices, and establish relationships with conservators and historic open to any group. Non-profits with an structures assessors. The resulting CAP report helps museums to develop annual budget of less than $50,000 pay strategies for improved collections care, long-range planning, staff and only $75 for a basic presentation and board education, and fund-raising. CAP is administered by Heritage non-profits with an annual budget over Preservation and supported through a cooperative agreement with the $50,000 pay $100 per basic presentation. Institute of Museum and Library Services. For-profit organizations pay $325 per basic presentation. Customs presentations In 2012, 97 museums in 34 states have been selected to participate in $250 for non-profits and $500 for CAP. To view the entire list of current CAP participants, visit www. for-profits. There is a small travel fee of heritagepreservation.org/CAP/12recipients.html. To search for any CAP 50 cents for every mile over 300 that the participant from the program’s 22-year history, check out the Past CAP speaker has to make during the round trip Participants Search Tool at http://www.heritagepreservation.org/cap/ to the event and back home, so remember Search.html. to figure that into your budget if booking a speaker more than 150 miles away. All of Professionals from small and mid-sized museums across the United the program fess must be paid in advance. States have attested to the benefits of CAP. Ellen Anderson, Executive Director of the Oxford Museum in Oxford, Maryland notes that “CAP We ask that you request a speaker 60 is an inexpensive investment for valuable and far-reaching conservation days prior to the presentation and that you advice.” Amanda McGuire, Associate Director of Collections at the invite legislators to the event. We suggest General Lew Wallace Study and Museum in Crawfordsville, Indiana having at least 15 audience members for confirms that “CAP can kick-start fundraising efforts. Our CAP reports small host organizations and 25 for larger inspired our staff and board to successfully complete a $200,000 capital host organizations; the more people, the campaign.” Stephanie Lantiere, President of the Avery Memorial better. Presentations take a minimum of 45 Association in Groton, Connecticut praises CAP for “its ability to show minutes and are followed by 15 minutes of funders that the museum follows good practices, while at the same questions, discussion and reflection. time providing recommendations to improve those practices for the The MHC will take care of all of the preservation of both collections and historic buildings.” arrangements, so why wait to book a This fall, the 2013 application will be available online and for download presentation? For more information, please as PDF and Word fill-in forms. To receive notification of the availability contact Speakers Bureau Coordinator of the 2013 CAP application, or for more information, please contact the Barbara Gill at 314-781-9660 or Barbara@ CAP staff at [email protected] or 202-233-0800. mohumanities.org. Spring/Summer 2012 Missouri Association for Museums and Archives Newsletter Page 5 TWA Museum Opens at 10 Richards Road in Kansas City Submitted by Karen Martin, TWA Museum Executive Committee

The mission of the TWA Museum important impact TWA had is to provide information and an on local, national, and global educational center for the public to aviation. experience the story, history and importance of the major role TWA The museum is housed in an played in pioneering the world of art deco building originally commercial aviation. built for Transcontinental & Western Air in 1931. Tom The Museum’s vision is to ensure Perry, a TWA instrument shop permanent exhibits that showcase the mechanic, began collecting TWA memorabilia in the early 1960’s after he bought a box of “junk” that included a Platte County Historical Society, 220 Transcontinental & Western Ferrel Street, Platte City, MO 64079. Air pin. TWA employees built It is the repository of a significant a case to house his growing collection of TWA memorabilia collection at TWA’s overhaul spanning 77 years, the last 2 as an base and this original case is LLC of American Airlines. It is a still in use at the museum. The tribute to Kansas City history and heart of the museum combines the many employees from all of the the Tom Perry collection, company’s departments who loyally a TWA-sponsored 1996 Smithsonian Exhibit growing collection of TWA artifacts and donations from which bring to life the partnership that employees and friends of TWA. developed between TWA and Kansas The Smithsonian tour traveled City over many years, culminating in to 12 cities in celebration of the American Airline’s purchase of TWA Smithsonian Institute’s 150th in 2001. This museum will relate the anniversary. From one of the first “Link” Pilot Trainers to china dishes and everything in between, the served TWA and the flying public for museum showcases so many years. memorabilia celebrating the Be sure to visit the TWA Museum best in commercial at 10 Richards Road Suite 110, passenger service Kansas City, MO 64116. Come and as only TWA could see what made TWA the airline of deliver it. popes, presidents, and the VIPs of Hollywood. For more information, The TWA Museum call (816) 234-1011 or visit www. is a chapter of the twamuseumat10richardsroad.org. Spring/Summer 2012 Missouri Association for Museums and Archives Newsletter Page 6 Do No Harm: Archival Missteps

By Mary Kay Coker, Missouri State Archives

When archivists and curators talk about learning from the past, we usually mean the content or historical context of our collections.

Take the oldest document held at the Missouri State Archives in Jefferson City. It records the appointment in 1770 of Martin Duralde as official surveyor of the nascent colony; it was signed in iron gall ink by Don Pedro Piernas, the first Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Louisiana at St. Louis for the Spanish Government.

In itself, this document can tell a story of the beginnings of Missouri, its birth as a French and Spanish colony, its transfer to the in the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, and finally its struggle to arbitrate early land claims.

But the document can teach archivists and curators another valuable lesson: Do No Harm. New preservation technology is often seductive: it’s better, easier, slicker! Oftentimes, it is. But in the preservation field, one method in particular has often caused irreparable harm. And it is indeed slick – too slick.

Lamination.

Developed in the 1930s and quickly embraced by the National Archives and the Library of Congress, lamination was hailed as the newest innovation in preservation technology. Lamination works by applying heat and pressure to plastic sheets, usually cellulose acetate, forcing the plastic into the interstices of the document. The weak become strong! What wasn’t to love?

Unfortunately, as years went by and valuable documents like the Emancipation Proclamation were laminated, experts discovered the much heralded preservation technique had itself become a preservation problem.

Missouri State Archives. First off, damage may have been done to documents just in the laminating process, melting or crushing wax seals, smearing the ink, even scorching the paper. More insidious, however, was the long-term damage done by off-gassing and the breakdown of cellulose acetate, which in its extreme form can turn documents to dust.

What should you do with laminated documents in your collections? First off, find them. They are often our most intrinsically valuable documents, the kind we once proudly put on display for years at a time. Normally they are easy to spot, as they appear glossy with a high sheen and feel slick; however, if tissue was used prior to lamination, they may instead look dull and washed out, like seeing through a filmy window.

(continued on page 7) Spring/Summer 2012 Missouri Association for Museums and Archives Newsletter Page 7 Do No Harm Weston Historical Museum (continued from page 6) documenting businesses and The Smithsonian Institute recommends monitoring your laminated documents once a year to check for signs of buildings in downtown Weston deterioration: Submitted by Carolyn A. Larsen, Museum Curator, Weston - Vinegar smell Historical Museum - Oily appearance - Sticky surface The Weston Historical Museum is currently busy finishing - Warping or peeling a project that was begun over 25 years ago by the late - Discolored paper Charles and Ruth Bless, retired editors of The Weston - Stiff or brittle Chronicle newspaper. The couple were members and strong supporters of the museum. The project was to find and note Most of us know that vinegar smell in old film is a for history all of the businesses and business buildings dangerous sign. Not as many realize the same thing applies in downtown to lamination. When documents get to this stage, they need Weston. attention. Cellulose acetate breakdown cannot be reversed once started. Following their deaths in 2002, If a document does not pass the sniff test, it should a daughter be isolated immediately to prevent the off-gassing who is also the affecting more stable documents. Cold storage will slow curator of the deterioration until the document can be dealt with properly. museum, took Do not put laminated documents in Mylar, as this will only over the project increase deterioration as off-gasses are trapped. and continued Several sources say that lamination is irreversible; while to work during in practical terms this may be true, it is not necessarily off hours on true. Delamination is possible, though time-consuming and the project. In expensive, requiring a trained conservator with specialized January of 2012 equipment and chemicals. Ms. Carolyn Bless Larsen For this reason, delamination is usually only performed Plat of Weston, Missouri, 1877. Missouri State decided it was on documents with high intrinsic value. The National Archives. time to start Archives, for instance, delaminated the Emancipation running the information into the software PastPerfect on Proclamation in the late 1980s and, more recently, the the museum computer. Louisiana Purchase treaty papers. With the help of Ms. Sue Phillips and Mrs. Marsha West No one knows for sure how long laminated documents will the project is winding up and it is believed that by late last but here are some tips to keep them stable for as long August it will be finished. At that time, the museum Board as possible: of Directors hope to have a wine and cheese tasting event for the merchants of Weston and present each of them with - Keep in environmentally controlled conditions a photo and a history of the many enterprises that set up in with constant relative humidity around 50% and a their particular building. constant temperature of 70° F or less - House in acid-free folders and boxes Through the years, the research was to find the year the - Interleave with acid-free paper building was erected and each business that was housed there. With help from members, friends and families many Thankfully for the citizens of Missouri, the Piernas photos and much information has been gleaned. Work was appointment appears stable for now. For more detailed also done at the Weston City Hall and at the Platte County guidelines on the care and handling of laminated Recorder of Deeds office. Tax files, newspaper files, old documents, see the Smithsonian Institute website at http:// telephone books and Fire Department files are among other anthropology.si.edu/conservation/lamination. places that were researched for information. Spring/Summer 2012 Missouri Association for Museums and Archives Newsletter Page 8 Warren County Historical Society Celebrates Expansion of Museum and Library Submitted by Marie Hollenbeck, Secretary, and Cathie Schoppenhorst, Curator, Warren County Historical Society The Warren County Historical research room is equipped with two Wesleyan College. The college opened Society celebrated the expansion computers and a ScanPro microfilm its doors in Warrenton in 1864 and was and renovation of its museum and reader/printer. dissolved in 1941. The museum houses library in Warrenton with a weekend an extensive collection of artifacts and of special festivities May 4-6. More With its location on the Missouri archival material from the college. than 300 persons visited and toured River and the Boone’s Lick Road, the facility during the open house and Warren County played an important Future exhibits may include dedication of the Hummel Addition. role in westward expansion. The agriculture, commerce, churches, French community of La Charrette communication and Native Americans, Construction of the 3,820 square foot was a camping place for Lewis and Sutherland said. Currently, a traveling addition was made possible through Clark. Daniel Boone and many of his exhibit from the Missouri State the generosity of R. Stuart Hummel of Archives, Ticket Sonoma, CA. Mr. Hummel funded the to the Past, is $850,000 construction project to honor on display at the the memory of his father Dr. William museum, and Hummel Sr. and his uncle, Dr. Arthur other exhibits Hummel Sr. from the state archives are William and Arthur Hummel, twin scheduled for later brothers, were born in Warren County this year. in 1884. Both were ordained ministers and served as missionaries in China. A renovated gift Arthur later became chief of the shop offers a Oriental division of the Library of variety of history Congress and William taught at the books, and crafts University of Southern California. Warren County Historical Society made by local artisans. The Hummel Addition doubled the museum’s exhibit and meeting space. followers settled in the area. Gottfried The museum and library have A workroom and a basement storage Duden’s letters led to a massive expanded its hours, and is now open area were also constructed. migration of Germans to Warren and Wednesday through Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm and from 1 to 4 pm on The celebration also marked the 30th surrounding counties. Within a century Sundays. To provide better access for anniversary of the construction of the of settlement, three railroads crossed persons who work during the day, the Society’s original museum and library. the county. Today I-70 crosses through facility is open Tuesday evenings from The masonry structure was constructed Warren County and its two largest 4:30 to 8 pm. in 1982 at a cost of $250,000. The communities, Warrenton and Wright City. project was financed by contributions The Warren County Historical Society from hundreds of Warren Countians Society President Janet Sutherland Museum and Library is located at eager to have a museum and library to said the organization is committed to 102 West Walton Street, behind the preserve their county’s history. providing public programming and Courthouse in Warrenton. There is no admission charge. As part of the expansion project, the professional exhibits that advance the mission to preserve, display and original museum was refurbished and For more information, persons may teach Warren County history and a geo-thermal heating and cooling contact the museum at 636-456- culture. The first of the new exhibits system was installed to serve the entire 3820 or by email at museum@ is scheduled to open this fall and will facility. The library/research area of warrencountymohistory.com. the facility was expanded, and the tell the story of the former Central Spring/Summer 2012 Missouri Association for Museums and Archives Newsletter Page 9 Easy Collecting (continued from page 1) to be approved at the highest levels and then sent to the clubhouse. There was never a guarantee that we would get everything we put on the list, and we sometimes got other items anyway. On those occasions when the team went into a post-season, we amended our list based on the latest achievements even though it might not affect our cache.

In 2011, the museum submitted its wish list and it certainly seemed like the season would end unceremoniously on the final day of the regular season. The team had been 10 ½ games out from first place in the N.L. Central Division in mid- September, but in those last two weeks something began to gel for the Redbirds. On the last day of the season, the team earned a Division berth and started post-season play. Throughout the most exciting postseason I’ve ever witnessed, the team continued to beat the odds against the favored opponents to move on to the next level in the .

We knew that the call to come and collect items from the clubhouse would not arrive until the team had run its complete course and vacated the clubhouse. Names on our list included Chris Carpenter, Lance Berkman, , and Yadier Molina, in addition to a team signed baseball and a request for general 2011 uniform components from a short list of “decent” name players. When the dust finally settled, however, we were waiting for items from the 2011 World Champions!

What we actually received after October 27, 2011 included artifacts from our initial list (but no Pujols or La Russa) plus our added requests for the “shredded” jersey from the September 24th victory celebration, a jersey from Marc “Scrabble” Rzepczynski, and a David Freese game bat. But the collecting wasn’t over yet!

The most exciting piece from the 2011 post season was not acquired from the clubhouse but eventually came to the collection from the private sector. When David Freese the game winning in Game 6 of the World Series, his teammates—about to celebrate with him—were so excited that they “shredded” his jersey as he crossed home plate. One piece of that jersey was thrown so far it landed in the stands. Months later, the president of the A portion of the jersey worn by David Freese during team, Bill DeWitt III, gave museum staff the news that he had been working Game 6 of the on October 27, to acquire that piece of the Freese jersey. This was thrilling news! The other 2011. Freese ran into “the shredder” as he touching “half” of the jersey had been claimed by the National Baseball Hall of Fame home plate. Photographs courtesy of the St. Louis Cardinals. on the night of the game and was subsequently displayed in Cooperstown, New York. Our “half” of the jersey is currently on exhibit in the Cardinals Club at and available for viewing during stadium tours and by Cardinals Club ticket holders during games.

This season the museum continues the tradition of “easy collecting,” but as we saw in 2011, the staff never knows for sure what we’ll get until the items come into our hands. The crowning glory to the 2011 World Series Championship season occurred this spring when the team received their Championship rings. The museum also received a ring for exhibition. It is no surprise that David Freese was asked permission to put his name on the museum ring—considered a replica of his personal ring.

One key individual in our museum’s system of “easy collecting” is the clubhouse manager—his knowing the right time to approach the players with a request, knowledge of what items might be available, and being a trusted representative of both parties. With tremendous interest and investment in player memorabilia on the open market, players are understandably cautious about how their game-used items are handled. “Easy collecting” for this museum is truly a team effort, enhanced by the manner in which the museum has proven good stewardship over not just history of the past, but history in the making. Spring/Summer 2012 Missouri Association for Museums and Archives Newsletter Page 10 A Tri-County Museum Visitors Experience Friends of Museum Prepare For Museum Facelift by Arleta Bradley, Tri-County Museum Submitted by Elizabeth A. Elson, President, Friends of Miami Museum On a Friday afternoon, October 21, to locate an old French book that 2011, the Tri-County Museum was interested her at the school. We do not have a curator. We are not the site of a family group from Worth open full time. We are not located in County: Bill and Colleen Combs, Sandy Combs found the new Fletcher a large town. Grant City, Mo., and Dick and Sandy chicken exhibit to be interesting to her. Combs from Worth, Mo., Rachel Her family had been in the chicken However, we do have a lot of interest. Cattrell, Moline, Il. and Victor Engh, business when she was a child. She Our organization was established in East Moline, Il. Bill and Colleen could relate to the stories about 1992 and purchased the Knights of Combs had been at the museum on cleaning and candling the eggs. Her Pythias building where the Museum Living History Day. Bill had been a father had started out with the idea of is now located and the Second Baptist history teacher and Colleen a French selling broilers but soon found out that Church which had been the church for teacher in Illinois before retiring and the egg part of the business was more the black people in the community. coming back to Grant City. They were profitable. The exhibit brought forth anxious to be able to tour the museum memories, but she was content to let Our buildings are old and in need of and bring the rest of their family with them remain as such. repair. We recently received grant them. monies with which to start these repairs. We are in the process of The men went to look at the old The player piano in the Limpp reviewing bids at this writing and will machinery and hear the stories about soon start our repair work. building was a great attention the truck that took a load of 19 FFA getter. Although it was looked members to Washington D.C., setting In the meantime, several members over thoroughly, no label could be in chairs on top of their luggage in the took on the task to turn the inside found. Everyone seems to be able to back of the truck. Those were the days! of the Museum “upside down” so remember the good old days when the The old boiler and steamer brought to speak. It was definitely in need player piano was in many households. forth tales of the old days in the fields. of a revamped look and so it was Of course the Roger Wehrli exhibit Everyone is always interested in the that everything has been cleaned, was of interest. It was interesting that self bagging blue grass stripper and moved, tagged and in some order. he came from King City. The theater the blue grass industry of King City. Our Library was in much need of curtain is another interesting memory Victor had experience with some of the organization. Now when that person of the old black and white movie days. other machinery such as the Go Devil calls from Tennessee inquiring about The Limpp exhibit and the story of and the Dirt Slip. someone from the area that he is his life are an important part of the writing a book about, we are usually museum. The afternoon would not be complete able to find the information that we without a drive through the windmill knew was there. Genealogy, as we The church is always a focal point as blades up to the Wheatley House. are finding out, is a rapidly growing a person arrives at the Museum. The This gave them an example of antoher interest of many people. As we family enjoyed seeing the unity of the family’s life. Different articles those who are looking for a particular community and how each church was of furniture represented different person or event, we are learning more represented in the museum. They were generations of the family. The and more about our own community, also familiar with the circuit riders in Grandfather Clock radio is always Miami. their own churches. something to see. There is also the Our Museum will soon have a new recently donated, a Victrola player Friday was a perfect day for them to “facelift” on the outside as well piano, an older model radio, and a and maybe we will be able to have tour the museum and to have time to fainting couch that had been donated pictures to share. If not, please come enjoy the afternoon. Rachel loved the by members outside the Wheatley see us in person. We are proud of old windmills and would like to have family. Time ran short as usual before our Museum. Enjoy a day trip to been able to crate one up and take it the tour reached the log cabin, barn, Miami and see us and the Mighty Mo home with her. We discouraged this and the Windmill facilities. This also (Missouri River). since she was a little short of space seemed to represent the summer of the at her home. Bill was a geology buff Tri-county Museum as always the days Get to know more about us by visiting and was impressed by the relief maps grow short and it is time to close for our website www.sullivansfarms.net/ in the schoolhouse. Colleen was able the winter. friendsofmiami/ Spring/Summer 2012 Missouri Association for Museums and Archives Newsletter Page 11 Support the Missouri Association for Museums and Archives by becoming a member today! Membership Membership Levels: Application Individual Corporate

Student/Volunteer $100 Hawthorn Name $15 Dogwood $250 Mozarkite (State Rock) Logo added to organizational Regular listing $20 Ozark $500 Galena (State Mineral) Title $30 Platte Purchase Advertisement on $50 Show Me organizational listing $100 Lewis & Clark $1000 Aquamarine (State Gemstone) Institution $500 Louisiana Purchase Advertisement on main page of website plus free Membership Benefits Include: exhibitor’s table at MAMA Street or P.O. Box conference - MAMA newsletter Corporate/Institutional City - Access to news and information from Membership Benefits Include: national organizations such as the - Institution or Business listed and American Association of Museums, State Zip Society of American Archivists and linked on MAMA website the American Association for State and Local History - MAMA newsletter Phone - Access to MAMA lending library - Sponsorship of receptions

- Online discussion list - Opportunity to distribute literature at E-mail address workshops - Voting rights at MAMA meeting - Discounted rate for table at annual Membership Level - Discounted rates to workshops and conference conferences Amount enclosed - Networking opportunities Please make checks payable to The Missouri Association for (Institutional members can calcu- Museums and Archives and send to: late their membership fee by mul- tiplying their institution’s annual Institutional The Missouri Association for budget by .0005). Museums and Archives Fee based on .05% of the annual c/o Linda Endersby Missouri State Museum budget with a minimum of $35 and a Capitol Bldg., Room B-2 maximum of $500 (Annual budget x Jefferson City, MO 65101 .0005). Spring/Summer 2012 Missouri Association for Museums and Archives Newsletter Page 12

Telling Missouri’s Stories A Joint Conference of the Missouri Association for Museums and Archives and the Missouri Humanities Council

October 19-20, 2012 Friday, October 19 • 1 - 4 p.m.: Behind the scenes tours at Missouri State Archives and Missouri State Museum DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel • 6 p.m. Reception at the Capitol hosted by 422 Monroe Street Missouri State Museum Jefferson City, MO 65101 Saturday, October 20 Overnight Accomodations • Disaster Preparedness presented by Linda A block of rooms has been set aside at the Landry, Missouri History Museum Jefferson City DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel. To • Archival Research Issues presented by Mary receive the special $114 per night rate, reserve a Beth Brown, University of Missouri room by September 22. Visit Missourimuseums. • Visitor Programming presented by Geoff org/conference/2012 or call (573) 636-5101. Giglierano, Missouri Humanities Council; Jess Rezac, Andrew County Museum Sponsors • Advocacy for Museums and Archives presented by Karen Witter, Association of Midwest Museums • Townhall Meeting

For more information please contact Clarice Britton, [email protected], 1.800.357.0909 or 314.781.9660

2012 Conference Registration Name ______Institution ______Address ______Telephone ______Email ______Registration ___ $35 for members/students ____ $50 for non-members Registration fee includes lunch Saturday. Please note any dietary restrictions.

Register online: http://Missourimuseums.org/conference/2012 Register by mail: Clarice Britton c/o Missouri Humanities Council 543 Hanley Industrial Court, Suite 201 St. Louis, MO 63144-1905 Got News? tion for

Missouri Associa Museums and Archives The Missouri Association for Museums and Archives Newsletter is looking for news and information. If your organization has a new exhibit, new staff person, fund raising event, interesting anecdote, job announcements, grant announcements, news about a partnership, fun photo of a museum guest or other interesting news to share, please contact Cherie Cook at [email protected] or Jess Rezac at accurator@ stjoelive.com.

Visit us on the Internet at www.missourimuseums.org MAMA is now on ......