Jackson County (Mo.)
Historical Society
Portals to
the Past
by David W.
Jackson
County’s
historical society has a history all its own
I announced to a group that the Jackson
County Historical Society (JCHS) turns 50 this year, and that a golden
jubilee was held Thursday, September 18, 2008. “Only 50?” some questioned. To
clarify, we are commemorating the 50th anniversary of our current
incorporated charter.
It seems fitting that an historical
society have it’s own
history, and JCHS boasts a prestigious tradition. The Independence Day
celebrations of 1909 included a JCHS picnic on the shaded lawn of the John B.
Wornall House in Kansas City, Missouri. In place of the traditional fireworks
or a brass band, Kansas City pioneers and their children observed older
customs by standing to sing the national songs without accompaniment and by
reading the Declaration of Independence. About 200 people enjoyed the
simple ceremonies that day, such as recognizing the attendee of longest
residence in the county and by listening to poignant speeches about the
history their families had helped create. Amazingly, these participants also
had the foresight to recognize and envision a great need for “the
preservation...[and the] care and exhibition of
historic articles and documents relating to Jackson County.”
The spirit of that 1909 gathering . . .
and their vision of collecting, preserving and sharing is one that continues
today after nearly 100 years. The mission of the Jackson County Historical
Society echoes that early day call for an unyielding dedication to the
preservation and understanding our county’s heritage.
The JCHS formally organized January 19,
1940, when Roger T. Sermon, then mayor of Independence, Missouri, called an
organizational meeting to choose officers and prepare by-laws. The
headquarters were to be at the County Seat in Independence, and its historical
records (now its Archives and Research Library) were then maintained in one
fireproof cabinet in the Jackson County Library (today Mid-Continent Public
Library).
The Society ramped up its activity
and incorporated in 1958 when the oldest structure on Independence Square was
slated for demolition . . . the 1859 Jackson County Jail and adjoining
Marshal’s Home. After a fervent capital campaign under the leadership of
Society President W. Howard Adams, the 1859 Jail, Marshal’s Home and
Museum opened to the public June 14, 1959, in the building’s 100th
year. The one-room schoolhouse used for 90 years on the William Bullitt
Howard farm near Lee’s Summit, Missouri, was later saved and relocated to the
site for preservation and interpretation. The restored structures and period
rooms are furnished through the acquisition of significant Jackson
County-related artifacts from the late 19th Century.
Membership grew from 700 in 1958 to
2,351 a decade later. During this period, the Society acquired the John B.
Wornall House on the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Westport
(an event significant to that site’s history) in October 1964. Although the
home was open by 1969 for “under restoration” tours, it took another three
years of research, planning, fundraising, and restoration before the historic
house museum opened to the public in September 1972.
The Society’s Archives and Research
Library outgrew temporary quarters in the basement of the Harry S Truman
Presidential Museum and Library and relocated in 1973 to space in the
historic Courthouse Jackson County Courthouse on Independence Square. In 2003,
the JCHS partnered with Jackson County Parks and Recreation to assume
operational control of the Harry S Truman Office and Courtroom down the hall.
A growing audience makes use of the
Historical Society’s products, services, sites and programs.
For instance in 1972 the JCHS archives served about 100 people annually.
Since 2000, they consistently track more than 3,500 contacts and accept more
than 100 collections donations yearly. Then there are museum tours;
educational programs; publications; etc. Today, the JCHS is moving into the
21st Century with exciting technological projects that will make
their collections available to a worldwide audience.
How do they do it? Faithful volunteers, membership
revenues, and generous monetary gifts of all sizes help the organization
vigorously pursue its worthy mission. And, tax deductible contributions to
permanent endowment funds are solicited for the long-term viability of this
Jackson County institution. Become a part of this worthy work and celebrate
an auspicious anniversary! Visit jchs.org.
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