MAY JACKSON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY NEWSLETTER

HistorE-Newsletter from Your Jackson County (Mo.) Historical Society
May 2006
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May is HISTORIC PRESERVATION Month!

A month-long calendar of activities has been planned in conjunction with the City of Independence Historic Preservation, go to:

http://www.ci.independence.mo.us/tourism/story.php?text=tourism6.txt
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Bleeding Kansas and Kansas Territorial History (also see the May 20 event)
Tuesday, May 2, 2006
4:30-6 p.m.A slide presentation and discussion of the sites and events connected with the 1854-1861 Border War in Kansas Territory by John Mark Lambertson and Ross Marshall. Johnson County Central Resource Library, 9875 W 87th St., Overland Park, KS.

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Blacksmithing in the Early 1800s
Tuesday, May 2, 2006
7:30 p.m.
Steve Wilson, director at Fort Osage Historic Site, will make a presentation about the importance of the blacksmith in the early 1800's. Kansas City Archaeological Society May meeting, Arthur Mag Conference Center at Midwest Research Institute. FREE and open to the public. For more information, contact Jeanne: nnemcg911@yajeahoo.com

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A Peek at the Indian Creek
Thursday, May 4, 2006
7-8:30 p.m.
Enjoy a brief walk along Indian Creek, and learn about the water quality and wildlife, as presented by the Blue River Watershed Association. Trailside Center, 9901 Holmes. For more information call Carolyn at 816.830.9124.

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Early Chouteau Family Letters Describe Kansas City’s French Origins
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
1 to 2 p.m.
Dorothy Brandt Marra’s books, "This Far By Faith: A Popular Story of the Catholic People of western and northwestern Missouri," and "Cher Oncle, Cher Papa: The Letters of Francois and Berenice Chouteau," are testaments to her years of research and writing into Kansas City’s early history. This presentation will focus on how these French-language letters were discovered and translated...and their significance to area history.

Our Roger “T.” Sermon History Series are engaging one-hour presentations on history related topics co-sponsored by Jackson County Historical Society and the Independence, Missouri, Parks and Recreation Department. Truman Memorial Building, 416 West Maple, Independence; parking @ corner Truman & Pleasant. Feel free to bring your own bag lunch to enjoy during the presentations. Beverages are provided. Program FREE and open to the public.

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The Names Around Us & The Neighborhood We Live In
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
7 p.m.
The Civil War Roundtable of Western Missouri's monthly meeting will feature Ted Stillwell who will talk about the origin of some place names from our area. Old Blake Museum, 106 E Walnut, Independence. For more information contact Beverly at 816.478.7648.
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We Want You!
Do you have 3 weekday hours to volunteer?
The Jackson County (Mo.) Historical Society appreciates anyone who will donate 3 hours each week to greet visitors at our Independence-based museum facility, the 1859 Jail, Marshal's Home and Museum. Call 816.252.1892 to express an interest!

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New Perspectives on Art: Technology & “America’s Second Creation”
Friday, May 12, 2006
6-7 p.m.
Louis W. Potts, professor of history at the University of Missouri-Kansas City explores visual myths and symbols of progress in works by American artists, including Fitz Henry Lane, Thomas Hart Benton, Edward Hopper and others in a gallery walk at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Call 816.751.1ART (option 2) for free tickets.

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Nelly Don: A Stitch in Time
May 12 (7 p.m.), May 13&14 (2 p.m.)
We're pleased as punch to introduce a new movie AND book by the same title that has recently been produced by our friend Tom O'Malley, a great grand nephew of Kansas City's fashion icon, Nell Donnelly Reed!

Nell's story is important for many reasons: she is one of the first and most successful self-made women millionaires in American business, she designed and sold more dresses in the 20th century than any other single person in the United States and she challenged the notion that women were best suited for domesticity. Special screenings this weekend at Screenland, 1656 Washington, Kansas City. For ticket information call 816.421.2900.

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Jazz It Up with the Friends of UMKC Library
Saturday, May 13, 2006
4:30–7 p.m.
The program features legendary vocalist Myra Taylor, renowned pianist/composer and performer, Tim Whitmer, and Chuck Haddix, KCUR's "Fish Fry" host and co-author of, "Kansas City Jazz: From Ragtime to Bebop, A History." UMKC Friends of the Library 41st Annual Meeting, The Blue Room, 18th and Vine; $20 tickets include food and some drink. For tickets, call the Central Ticket Office at 816-235-6222. Relay Missouri: 1-800-735-2966 (TT); 1-800-735-2466 (voice).

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The Magic Kingdom: Walt Disney and the American Way of Life
Sunday, May 14, 2006
2 p.m.
Dr. Steven Watts speaks about one of the most significant flights of imagination to come out of Kansas City! Kansas City Public Library, Central Library, 14 W 10th St., downtown Kansas City.

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FREE MOVIE: "Ride With The Devil"
Saturday, May 20, 2006 (Rain Date of June 3)
9:00 p. m.
Bring your blanket or lawn chair and enjoy an outdoor showing of "Ride With The Devil," the critically acclaimed Civil War movie directed by Ang Lee and filmed in the Kansas City area. It shows the grim life of residents in Jackson County during the Border Wars which pitted Bushwhackers against Jayhawkers and left the civilians at the mercy of both. Visit with Civil War Re-enactors and enjoy the FREE movie at the Westport Historical Society's Harris-Kearney House, 4000 Baltimore, Kansas City.

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Till We Meet Again: The Songs of World War I
Sunday, May 21, 2006
2 p.m.
A very special program, "Till We Meet Again: The Songs of World War I" by Michael Lasser, a writer and broadcaster who for many years he has hosted the nationally syndicated public radio show, Fascinatin’ Rhythm. Kansas City Public Library, Central Library downtown, Kansas City. For more information call 816.701.3400.

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HGTV's "If Walls Could Talk" Visits Jackson County
Sunday, May 28, 2006
If you have cable T.V., or access to Home and Garden Television's show, "If Walls Could Talk," tune in May 28, the scheduled debut of an episode featuring the home of William McCoy, the first Mayor of Independence, Missouri, in 1849. Your Jackson County (Mo.) Historical Society helped the Snyders AND other local homeowners who were applying for and being considered by the cable network. To them--and everyone involved in local historic preservation efforts--we applaud you for your interest and extraordinary efforts! It's great to be working with each of you.

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This information is sent to free to members and friends of the Jackson County (Mo.) Historical Society, a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to collecting, preserving and making available items documenting the history and heritage of the Kansas City metropolitan area.

Jackson County Historical Society
129 West Lexington Ave., Mezzanine Level
Independence, MO 64050