Readers who love history — and even those who are only casual fans of the archives — will hit pay dirt if they make a trip to the Joplin Museum Complex.
First, the museum rolled out a special display of political memorabilia. It’s the first showing of the nearly 7,000 items from the Richard Boss Political Americana Collection acquired in 2009 by the museum.
The collection starts in the 1870s and moves to the present. Among the items on display are political sheet music, textiles, magazines, postcards, newspapers, campaign materials, presidential materials and busts, china, glassware, books and medals, as well as civil rights, war and patriotic materials. It was acquired using a private donation from a former museum patron and longtime resident of Joplin and is valued at more than $150,000.
Be assured, no bailout money was used in the purchase of the collection.
If that’s not enough to prompt a trip to the museum complex, beginning today residents can see a traveling exhibit focusing on Missouri’s role in the Civil War. The exhibit also features a number of rare pieces from the collection of Joplin resident Allen Shirley.
What’s there to see?
Well, there will be strands of hair from Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln, along with pieces of the wood from the gallows where those accused in the plot to assassinate Lincoln were hanged.
There will be interactive screens telling the timeline of the war as it developed in the state and detailing significant battles. The roles of William Quantrill and William “Bloody Bill” Anderson, along with the participation of figures such as Jesse and Frank James, are also described in the exhibit.
An opening ceremony will be at 3 p.m. today at the museum in Schifferdecker Park.
The Missouri History Museum and the Missouri Humanities Council have sent “The Civil War in Missouri” to Joplin where it will be on display until Nov. 21.
Both of these are displays that many would travel a long distance to see.
Isn’t it great that it’s available to you so close to home?
Opinion
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Discussion
Our View: History treats
- Opinion
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Our View: Absent from House
We can’t figure out why two Missouri legislators think they should be elected to the U.S. House when it appears they can’t seem to show up to take care of business in the Missouri House.
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Your View: Terrorism is terrorism
In the May 13 issue of The Joplin Globe there was an Associated Press article concerning the New Orleans shooting.
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Your View: Should we be outraged?
Were there effusive apologies following the lockdown of Boston as most of the continent indulged vicariously in the ongoing manhunt?
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Your View: Terrible injustice
I see this Jasper County nuisance law as a terrible injustice on the rights of the residents of Jasper County.
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Other Views: Conflicts in SEC
Money talks. In the continuing dispute over the all-too-cozy relationship between the people who create and sell financial products and the people who rate their risk, the money says: Shut up and let us do what we want.
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Phill Brooks, columnist: Missouri Senate did what Founding Fathers had in mind
George Washington once described the Senate as being like a saucer in which you pour coffee or tea.
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Our View: Fixing failure
Some 1,200 injured workers will finally get the payments they are owed. In its final week in session, Missouri’s General Assembly, through bipartisan efforts, passed a solution to address the insolvency of the state’s Second Injury Fund.
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Herb B. Kuhn, guest columnist: Delaying Medicaid reform could hurt rural Missouri
The Missouri Legislature missed a rare opportunity in the just-ended session to transform Medicaid and make a real difference in the lives and health of hundreds of thousands of our neighbors. Rural Missouri has the most to lose from the legislature’s failure to act.
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Kevin Wilson, guest columnist: When fear wins out, so do the terrorists
I’m going to make a bold statement that’s sure to draw a lot of comments, but hear me out before reaching for the keyboard to type a rebuttal.
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Marta Mossburg, columnist: Maybe government is tyrannical after all
Less than two weeks ago President Obama stood in front of graduates from The Ohio State University and told them to reject those who warn of government tyranny.
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