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This week our spotlight points to Bates County Museum, stamp site for the Battle of Island Mound. Many events are coming up at the museum. Here is a word from Museum Director Peggy Burh:

“The Bates County Museum officially opens to the public on April 1st each year and the season runs through October 31st; however, I am usually here and people are welcome to tour the museum but we don’t maintain regular operating hours. Our normal hours are Tue – Fri, 9:30 am – 4:00 pm and Sat, 9:30 am – 12 noon. We maintain a page on Facebook:

facebook.com/batescountymuseum, as well as our website: Batescountymuseum.org.

“Border War, Guerilla War, Civil War on Missouri Border Research Library: The winter months have been exceptionally busy this season as we have been gifted with donations of two important private collections pertaining to the Border War, Guerrilla Warfare, (centering on Quantrill), and the Civil War. The Museum was honored to be selected as the site that each of these individuals chose to house this important collection. Bates County was ground zero in the destruction of General Orders No. 11 in August of 1863 so it seems fitting that our Museum would house a research library for researchers, historians, and future generations to be able to access and enjoy.”

Upcoming Events:

“On March 21st a special ceremony will be held by the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, Westport Camp #64 to honor a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient buried in Butler, Missouri’s Oak Hill Cemetery. Freeman Davis served as Captain in the 80th Ohio Infantry. The ceremony is open to the public. Oak Hill Cemetery is located at 715 East Mill St., Butler, Missouri 64730. I will speak about Mr. Davis’ life in Butler and am honored to participate in this prestigious ceremony.

“Missouri’s Bicentennial commemorations are in full swing and our Museum will host the Bicentennial Quilt on April 27, 28, and 29. We are pleased to be one of the sites in our area that will host the Quilt. Further celebrations will occur on Missouri’s actual anniversary date, Tuesday, August 10, 2021. The Museum will host an ice cream social, music, guest speaker, and other special recognitions to celebrate our state’s 200th birthday.

“Missouri State Parks has recently informed me that the Battle of Island Mound State Historic Site’s commemoration event will be held on Saturday, September 18, 2021 at the site. The Bates County Museum partners with Missouri State Parks and enjoys participating in the event. Reenactors, living history demonstrations, music, guest speakers, food, and usually a few interesting interactive things for kids to enjoy. It’s always a great event and is held every three years.”

The Battle of Island Mound is the first time a unit of black soldiers engaged in combat during the Civil War. Reporting on the battle, The Daily Conservative newspaper, of Leavenworth, Kansas, stated the 1st Regiment Kansas Volunteer Infantry (Colored) “proved that Negroes are splendid soldiers.” This was almost nine months before the “Glory” 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment (Colored) attacked Ft. Wagner, S.C., as seen in the movie, “Glory,” starring Denzel Washington.

Pictured in this post are the Bates County Museum, Border War, Guerrilla Warfare, & Civil War Research Room and the Battle of Island Mound mural at the museum, all courtesy of Bates County museum.

Missouri Civil War Passport Program

Today we shine our light on New Madrid Historical Museum, stamp site for the Battle of New Madrid and Island No. 10. The first stage of the battle started 159 years ago today, on March 3, 1862, and Island No. 10 was surrendered on April 8.

Here is a word from the museum:

“The New Madrid Historical Museum is open seven days a week with our hours of operation expanding beginning April 1st (check our Facebook page). At the museum you can actually knock out TWO empty squares in your passport books, as we have both New Madrid and Island #10. We feel like the Passport Program is a great way to explore not only the history of that conflict but also to get you to visit areas of the state you may not otherwise have reason to see.

“Our Civil War Room focuses primarily on the 1862 campaign in and around New Madrid. We have also just acquired a Union staff officer’s sword and we will have it on display sometime very soon. The museum also features exhibits on the Great Quakes of 1811 & 12, as well many other periods in the history of the Bootheel region going back over a thousand years. We hope to see you at the museum!!”

While in the area, be sure to visit another stamp site, the Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site, only two miles away. In April, the Higgerson School Historic Site will open. It’s located at 307 Main Street, New Madrid.

Photos courtesy of New Madrid Museum.

https://www.facebook.com/newmadridmuseum

Missouri Civil War Passport Program

This week we shine our spotlight on Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield. Here is some good information from Park Ranger Billie Aschwege:

The purpose of Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield is to commemorate the Battle of Wilson’s Creek, preserve the associated battlefield, and interpret the battle within the context of the Civil War in the Trans-Mississippi West.

The battlefield is open seven days a week (weather permitting). The battlefield is closed for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. The Visitor Center opens daily at 8 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m. (The Visitor Center is currently closed for renovation, check the park website before visiting for information regarding a reopening date). Park hours are subject to change and are normally extended during the spring, summer and fall. Please visit our park website for current tour road hours.

The Visitor Center contains a thirty-minute film, a bookstore and an exhibit area displaying museum artifacts and a fiber optic map. A Civil War research library is open to visitors from Tuesday through Saturday. (https://www.nps.gov/wicr/planyourvisit/index.htm)

A variety of interpretive programs are typically offered April through October. Educational field trips occur in the Spring, Summer and Fall and are by reservation only through our education office.

Contact Information: Billie Aschwege, Park Ranger Interpretation. For reservations, call 417-732-2662 x249. Curriculum guides 4th-12th grade can be downloaded from the park website.

For a schedule of events, please visit our park website at https://www.nps.gov/wicr and visit our Facebook page for Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield.

Other NPS sites in the area:

George Washington Carver in Diamond, Missouri

Ozark National Scenic Riverways in Van Buren, Missouri

Pea Ridge National Military Park in Arkansas

Harry S. Truman in Independence, Missouri

Jefferson National Expansion Memorial in St. Louis, Missouri

Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site in St. Louis, Missouri

Missouri Civil War Passport Program

February 18, 1861, was a significant date in Missouri’s Civil War history. It was the date that the state voters went to the polls to elect three representatives from each state senatorial district to represent them at the upcoming state convention, a convention Governor Jackson thought would be a secession convention. While many know state conventions were used to separate slave states from the United States, many are unaware of the specifics of how that was done. The link below leads to a description of that process, with examples of how Missouri and three other states handled the process.

https://drive.google.com/…/1kbhHG9pWcC2iBYhlArh…/view…

Pictured below is the Mercantile Library in St. Louis, courtesy Missouri History Museum. The first meeting of the Missouri State [Secession] Convention was held at the Cole County Court House in Jefferson City on February 28, 1861. After the election of a convention president and the adoption of the rules of the convention, the convention moved to the Mercantile Library in St. Louis for better accommodations. The convention met here from March 4th to March 22, when it adjourned to meet again on the third Monday in December 1861.

Missouri Civil War Passport Program

This week, we point our spotlight on Carthage Civil War Museum, stamp site for the Battle of Carthage. Both the museum, and the nearby Battle of Carthage State Historic Site, are open. The museum’s hours are: Tues-Sat, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sun., 12 – 5 p.m.

Here is a word from Steve Cottrell, museum attendant, author and historian:

“Spring highlights will include a new on-loan exhibit of about 15 relics from the war from a generous collector. We are having suitable descriptive cards printed up right now. We enjoy being part of your Passport Book Program and have sold many copies here and stamped a lot of copies as well.”

Pictures are from the museum’s Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Battle%20of%20Carthage%20Civil%20War%20Museum/105027432873449/

Missouri Civil War Passport Program

The first shots fired between the North and the South in the run-up to the Civil War were shots fired at a merchant ship, the Star of the West, attempting to deliver supplies to the garrison at Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina. For a fascinating account by a reporter on the Star of the West, click the link below.

https://drive.google.com/…/1Rfxm1j20KTPXAGTzPqR…/view…

Fort Sumter image: Currier & Ives./Library of Congress (LC-USZC2-2354), accessed via Britannica.com. Star of the West image: Harper’s Weekly, January 19, 1861.

Missouri Civil War Passport Program

Today we shine our spotlight on Clay County Museum, stamp site for the Battle of Liberty. They have reopened in February after cleaning and updating, and have several new displays. Drop by and see the new “Scouts” exhibit on the lower level.

Here’s a word from Museum Curator Chery Carr Holtman:

“We have revamped displays that deal with the Civil War, The Battle of Liberty/Blue Mills Landing and bios on people involved from both sides of the battle. We will also continue to show our documentary, The Battle of Liberty/Blue Mills Landing, daily and, of course, stamp passports.”

The current hours are Mon – Fri, 1p.m. – 4 p.m, and Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

While you are in town, be sure to visit the Liberty Jail Historic Site (216 N Main St.) and Jesse James Bank Museum (103 N Water St).

Pictures are from their Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/Clay-County-Museum-110751272299596

Missouri Civil War Passport Program

Today we aim our spotlight on History Museum on the Square, stamp site for the Second Battle of Springfield.

Here is a word from Guest Experience Manager Katie Turer:

“History Museum on the Square is located right on historic Route 66 in Springfield, MO. Our six permanent galleries tell the stories of significant events in Springfield and create distinct and intentional dialogues about objects, individuals, and history–dialogues that foster examinations of unique aspects of Springfield, Greene County and its people. A rich and vast collection of artifacts, photographs, and stories of the crossroads are combined using innovative technologies. Take a ride in our Trolley Time Machine, see if you are as good a shot as Wild Bill Hickok in a recreation of the first Wild West Shootout, explore what Springfield was like during the Civil War, and travel down the Mother Road to the place where Route 66 got its name.”

Current Hours:

Wednesday – Saturday 10am-5pm

Sunday 1pm-5pm

While you’re in town, be sure to check out the Route 66 Visitor Center (815 E. St. Louis St.), then head down to Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield.

Missouri Civil War Passport Program

Today we shine our spotlight on another site in the passport program: Cass County Historical Society, stamp site for Order No. 11. We want to thank them for their dedication to the program and being so accommodating, often making special arrangements to meet with stamp seekers when the museum is closed.

Beginning February, they will have new hours:

Mon & Thurs: 10 am -7 pm;

Tues & Wed: 9 am – 4:30 pm;

Sat 9 am -1 pm (Recommended to call, as not all Saturdays have coverage yet)

Office is closed from 1 pm-2 pm, Mon -Thurs for lunch.

Here is a word from the executive director, Jennifer Reed:

“Visitors can still view the Burnt District display panels as well as visit the Burnt District Monument just 1 1/2 miles down the road. Currently we have a Cass County military display that runs from the Civil War to Desert Storm. All of these are self-guided.

“We will be resuming tours in May at the 1835 Sharp-Hopper log cabin on site. They will be limited to 30 minutes and masks are mandatory. Tours will be available upon request during our regular business hours listed above.

“Other local historical areas of interest are the historic Harrisonville Square which features the Cass County Courthouse, built in 1896. We also have a driving tour brochure for anyone who wants to drive around Harrisonville taking in the historic homes.”

Next Thursday, Jan 25, at 7 pm they will be hosting an online trivia game trough their Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/cchsmo

Below is a link to their website:

https://www.cchsmo.org/…

Missouri Civil War Passport Program

Today is the anniversary of the beginning of the Battle of Hartville, January 9-11, 1863. This year, instead of focusing on the battles on their anniversaries, we want to shine a spotlight on the stamp site associated with each.

Here’s a word from the Hardware Store:

“The Hardware Store is a nod to all of Hartville’s past hardware merchants. There has been a hardware store at the center of the community for over 120 years until 2013. Our 1901 space was left vacant for 5 years, leaving the community to travel long distances for their home repair needs. We purchased the space in February 2018 and have lovingly cleaned, restored and restocked the store, opening in July 2018. There is still a long road ahead with big plans for the future!

Through commerce, we will make our contribution to the revitalization of a community we love. We are ‘Building a Life in Hartville, one bolt at a time.'”

Note: The store is temporarily closed, but is scheduled to reopen January 11. Check their Facebook page before heading over:

https://www.facebook.com/TheHardwareStoreHartville

Missouri Civil War Passport Program

Today marks the 159th anniversary of the Battle of Roan’s Tan Yard, January 8, 1862. This year, instead of talking about the battles on their anniversaries, we want to shine a spotlight on the stamp site associated with each.

Here’s a word from Cooper’s Oak Winery:

“Cooper’s Oak Winery in Higbee, MO, is proud to be the passport stamp location for Roan’s Tan Yard. We welcome all visitors to our winery/distillery and offer free tastings and tours. We’re open Monday through Friday 11 – 4 and Saturday 12 – 5. Closed Sunday.

We currently follow Covid-19 regulations by social distancing our seating area, making hand sanitizer available, and masks are welcome. We look forward to seeing you!”

https://www.facebook.com/Skullsplitterspirits

Missouri Civil War Passport Program

Today is the 159th anniversary of the Battle of Mt. Zion Church, December 28, 1861. This was the last organized battle between the Union Army and Gov. Jackson’s secessionist Missouri State Guard.

Click on the link below for a short video from Things You Should Know:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqftIUnS3mU

(Mt. Zion Church photo courtesy of the Hughes Camp SCV.)

Missouri Civil War Passport Program

Congratulations to Andrew Porter, the 7th person to complete the Missouri Civil War Passport Program! He has made the journey alongside his grandmother, Sheila Mickey Porter. Sheila said that Andrew “has been very active visiting Civil War sites and events since 2011 at the age of 6, and by 8, he was doing CW reenacting and living history events with the Turner Brigade’s 1st Mo. Co. E Engineers.”

Some events coming up in 2021 where Andrew will be doing living history include:

Five weekends at Fort D in Cape Girardeau, Pilot Knob in April (for spring drill) and in September (for the reenactment), and Liberty Days at the Stars and Stripes Museum in April.

If you haven’t already, check out what Sheila wrote about the last leg of their journey:

https://www.facebook.com/MoPassport/community/…

His name has been added to the Honor Roll section on our website:

https://mo-passport.org/honor-roll-2/

Missouri Civil War Passport Program

State Representative Warren D. Love will be leaving the Missouri Legislature this year due to term limit requirements. For the past eight years, he has served Hickory, St. Clair and parts of Benton and Cedar counties (House District 125). He has been a huge supporter of the Missouri Civil War Passport Program from the beginning, often sharing Facebook posts and plugging it in his Capitol Reports. We would like to thank him for his service and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

To learn more about Rep. Love and what he has accomplished, visit his website at: