1859 Jail Museum after the 2024 - 2025 restoration.
The Howard Schoolhouse, located in the courtyard of the 1859 Jail Museum.
May is National Historic Preservation Month, and we are happy to share our restoration progress with you! Join us at 5 p.m. Saturday, May 3 at the 1859 Jail, 217 N. Main St., Independence, MO for a short presentation about The 1859 Jail's restoration and the future of the one-room Howard School which occupies our courtyard.
Presentations will be made by former Jackson County Historical Society Board President and author Brian Burnes and JCHS Board Member Jason Wade, who is JCHS’s Volunteer Curator. This free event is part of the City of Independence’s Historic Preservation Month series.
The 1859 Jail is owned and operated by the Jackson County Historical Society.
For more information about other Historic Preservation Month events around Independence, please visit: www.independencemo.gov/events
NEW STAGE OF 1859 JAIL PRESERVATION AND RESTORATION BREAKS GROUND
Front view of the 1859 Jail Museum.
JCHS 2025
“Celebration of History”
Mayor Rowland auctions off blown glass vase made by Phillip Hickok, artist at Englewood Arts Center
Historic Film Award presented for the “I’m So Glad” Project by Brent Schondelmeyer and Gloria Smith
Lifetime Achievement Award presented to John Thornton, Jim Austen recognized posthumously, by Steve Noll and Gloria Smith
Gloria Smith presents award for Historic Book - Janssen Place to Stephen Mitchell and Bruce Mathews
Award for Historic Preservation presented to Englewood Arts Center by Brad Pace and Gloria Smith
Award for 1859 Jail Museum Volunteer of the Year presented to Rusty Burkett by Erin Gray and Gloria Smith
Award for Archives Volunteer of the Year presented to Sharon Alexander by Erin Gray and Gloria Smith
