2021 in Review: Top 10 moments for Kingdom of Callaway Historical Society

As 2021 comes to a close, take a look back at some of the amazing things that have happened at KCHS.

 

1.       Callaway County celebrated 200 years, though a little delayed
While COVID-19 postponed our celebration of Callaway’s founding 200 years ago, it did not dampen the determination of the core group of volunteers and leaders. KCHS was proud to be on the Callaway 200’s Steering Committee, led by co-chairs John Bell and Susan Krumm.
A variety of projects and joint activities were held to celebrate our county’s bicentennial, including –

 

2.       The Spot Café Sign Has a New Home
Meet you at The Spot! was a familiar call in Fulton from the 1940s through the 1990s. The small diner at 7 E. 6th Street in Fulton could hold only about 50 people but never failed to be busy during their 24 hours-six days a week schedule.
One neon sign hung outside the little diner above the door with an arrow pointing the way in for many of its years. When the building was torn down in 2005, the sign was saved and stored — and there it sat. Larry Underwood and Terry Rehma found and restored the Callaway landmark a few years later. KCHS is happy to have it as a permanent part of our museum collection.

 

3.       Back to normal – Annual Meeting and Trivia Night

It was wonderful to host our Annual Meeting this summer after canceling in 2020 due to COVID. While some restrictions were still in place, we were able to enjoy homemade ice cream and cookies under a big tent on the Boyd & Boyd parking lot. In addition, attendees helped us honor our 2021 award recipients and conduct our annual business, plus tours of the Research Center and an exciting program on the new Carver School renovation project. Be sure to join us in April for our 2022 Annual Meeting!

Though a little delayed, we held our 8th annual President’s Day Trivia Night in May! Nine teams answered trivia focused on Missouri’s 200th Anniversary and featuring Missouri’s own Harry S. Truman.

Thanks to our 30 event sponsors, 19 round sponsors, and participants, we raised $5,000 for the Oral History Transcription Project. Save the date – 9th Annual President’s Day Trivia Night will be held Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022.

 

4.       Welcome home, Martha Dyer
In spring 2021, KCHS was delighted to receive the original portrait of Martha Tab Watkins Dyer, an early Fulton pioneer matriarch from a direct descendent living in California. It fits Martha’s portrait now hangs in the KCHS Museum, as it sits on the property that was Martha Dyer’s home until she died in 1862.

 

5.       2021 Tractor Drive
The Kingdom of Callaway Historical Society’s annual tractor drive, chaired by Bryant Liddle, was held on Aug. 28, with the Callaway 200 Bicentennial Bash. We had over 200 tractors participate, with over 100 driving the route. The event included a Family Farm Day at Wise Brothers. Attendees enjoyed displays of Callaway history, the KCHS official Callaway 200 Quilt, and entries from the Callaway 200 Fiber Art Wall Hanging display – plus the candy combine!

 

6.       Bryce Gordon joins KCHS as Research Center Manager
In September, KCHS added a new full-time position at the Research Center to assist Research Center Director Barbara Huddleston and assist our volunteers. Bryce Gordon, a native of Callaway County, brings a 20-year background in technical support and communications to his role as Research Center manager. After living in Charlotte, NC, and the Chicago area, a Fulton High School graduate and son of Lee and Elaine Gordon, Bryce settled in Fulton in 2017.

 

7.       The Missouri 2021 Scavenger Hunt

In honor of Missouri’s Bicentennial in 2021, KCHS hosted a selfie scavenger hunt during October and November. The event featured 21 historical sites in six central Missouri counties – Audrain, Boone, Callaway, Cole, Montgomery, and Osage. More than 40 teams participated, with 34 teams completing all 21 stops. Thanks to event chair Kelly Borman for coordinating another fun event – and honoring our state and county’s history.

 

8.       New Scanner Donation Advances KCHS Technology

Thanks to the generosity of Kenneth Weant, the KCHS Research Center has a new scanner and reader, plus a computer and monitor large enough to allow for full-page viewing. Now scanned items can be searched by name, date, or topic.

 

9.       Remembering the 1946 Truman–Churchill Visit

In 1946, Fulton was preparing for thousands of people to visit Fulton to be part of the visit of President Harry S. Truman and Sir Winston Churchill to Westminster College on Mar. 5. This year was the 75th anniversary of that visit and the “Sinews of Peace” speech. We join the National Churchill Museum in recognizing this historic event. We had special window displays at our museum on Court Street to celebrate the anniversary that featured items and documents from the event located in our archives.

 

10.   Bequest gifts from Jean Avra Estate and Tom & Piggy Herndon Estate

KCHS was the recipient of two generous gifts this year. First, we were honored to be informed that Jean Avra left a $5,000 bequest gift. Jean valued Callaway’s rich history and was well acquainted with KCHS through Barbara Huddleston, a friend, and fellow church member.

Additionally, KCHS was notified that Tom and Virginia (Piggie) Herndon left a bequest gift of $23,000 to help us continue our work. We are honored and touched by their generosity. Both gifts allow for expanded work in promoting our mission. Finally, we greatly appreciated our members and community supporters considering KCHS in their estate planning and sharing so kindly.

Jana Woods