Dedicated to the Future of the Past

In 1996, Wilda Sandy completed her written history of the JCHS, featuring the front cover motto, “born again,  again & again…” She recognized that as we pursue or mission of historic preservation and education in the community, we should remember to document our own history as well.  As is suggested by our sometimes slogan, “dedicated to the future of the past,” we are informed not just by the destination, but by the journey. To that end, Wilda painstakingly researched our roots, fittingly book ended by a 1909 Wornall House picnic, and a 1996 Wornall House antiques show. 

In the nine decades covered by Wilda’s written history the organization grew and prospered with the help of many Jackson Countians, including much loved names like Gentry, Weatherford,  Adams, Burrus, Wornall, DeWitt, Graham, Branton, Cauger and so many, many more. Wilda weaved the individual threads, year by year, to complete her tapestry. With funding from UMB Bank, the Kearney Wornall Charitable Trust, David Ross and Boatman’s Trust, a 48 page history booklet was published and distributed. As Wilda noted, “History, like a river, goes on and on.” In that spirit we begin the task of updating her compilation. This is the first installment, covering the years 1997 to 2007.  The tapestry continues to unfold. 

1997

On January 19th, the annual meeting of the Society was held at Unity Temple on the Plaza in Kansas City. Outgoing president Judy Johnson presented the President’s award to Hal and Wilda Sandy in recognition of their dedicated pursuit of a shared creative vision, publication of a history of the JCHS. Johnson noted that their volunteer efforts even included securing financial underwriting for publication. Johnson also presented a special recognition to past president Sue Gentry, including a resolution of the Board of Directors designating the JCHS Archives Research Room in the Independence Square Courthouse as the “Susannah C. Gentry Room.” A permanent plaque for the Archives was accepted by Brent Schondelmeyer, Vice President for the Archives. It was noted that Sue helped to revive JCHS in 1958. 

The JCHS 1859 Jail Museum volunteers took a field trip to Leavenworth and enjoyed visiting the museum in Fort Leavenworth. 

JCHS lost a good friend when on May 31, 1997 Mitzi Ann Overman passed away. She had been an energetic supporter of the 1859 Jail Museum, holding many offices with that site over the years, including treasurer. She also served as a JCHS board member, and was the first woman elected to the Independence City Council. 

1998

JCHS received a windfall of truly “historic” dimensions when Ms. Anne (nee Gage) Lewis and her husband, Dr. Revis Lewis, donated her father and grandfather’s papers. Ms. Lewis’ grandfather Judge John C. Gage worked behind the scenes with Van Horn and other city pioneers to help bring railroads to the region, and build the pivotal Hannibal Bridge. Not to be outdone, her father, John B. Gage served as KC mayor 1940 - 46, and put his life on the line to help rid the Kansas City region from the corrupt Tom Pendergast political machine.

The JCHS received another amazing gift in 1998 when Donna and Mike Martin donated Clinton’s Soda Fountain, 100 West Maple, on the Independence Square. Harry Truman worked at this historic business when it was owned by J.H. Clinton.  Truman earned his very first paycheck at the drug store, and credited this job with giving him insight into the local town folk.  Clinton’s is located on the site of the old Noland House Hotel. The Martins were presented with the Major Donor Achievement Award for their donation to the Society. 

The Jane Fifield Flynn Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Sarah Schwenk.  Schwenk, the director of the Historic Kansas City Foundation, was cited for her lifelong, tireless commitment to preservation, education and advocacy. 

JCHS “Saturday on the Square” featured over 10 local authors selling and autographing their books at the JCHS Archives and the 1859 Jail Museum. In addition to receiving a JCHS discount, shoppers were also given special coupons for money off on certain menu items at Clinton’s Soda Fountain. 

The “Young Historians” section of JCHS, led by Chairwoman Mary King, spent Saturday morning, December 5, 1998, working hard to clean up the Lewis-Gregg Cemetery in Eastern Jackson County.  The clean-up crew decided to return in the spring to do a rubbing of each headstone to make a record of the cemetery and plots. The group also planned to gather on March 25 and May 20, 1999, for a happy hour and programming.

After many months of hard work by the JCHS Board and the Wornall House Operating Committee, ably assisted by Roger Hershey of the King Hershey law firm, the JCHS membership voted to transfer the Wornall House Museum from JCHS to the Wornall House Museum, Inc.  Board president William T. Reed stated that the Society can be proud of its vision in acquiring this historic property and its oversight in nurturing the Wornall House Museum to the point that it can stand on its own. More than 30 years previously, JCHS members provided the money and work to purchase and restore the antebellum structure. Over those three decades the Operating Committee of the Wornall House developed programming to effectively interpret the historical importance of the site. JCHS VP for Education Dr. Bill Worley endorsed the transfer of ownership saying, “Godspeed” as we continue to work together to preserve and enliven the history of our county and region.” Many thanks were given to the members of the Wornall House Site Autonomy Committee:  Roger Hershey, Brent Schondelmeyer, Bill Reed, Jack Nesbitt, Bill Worley, Ron Smith, Jan Flynn, Richard Nadeau, Shawsie Branton, Charlotte Kirk, Becky Fye, Libby Gessley Jane Mandel and Bill McCollum.

We lost a dear friend on June 13, 1998, when Pauline Elizabeth Siegfried Fowler passed away.  Pauline joined the JCHS in 1960 and served as Director of the Archives for six years.    

1999

As Jack Newbitt began his term as JCHS president, we welcomed many area teachers as new members. They were able to join through a program funded by the William T. Kemper Foundation. Jonathan Kemper, a member of the boards of the Kemper Foundation and JCHS, expressed his feeling that the children in greater Kansas City should learn the history of where they live.

On July 10 and 11, 1999, the historic Englewood Theatre in Independence celebrated its 50th anniversary with a gala benefit for the JCHS. 

Robert Ferrell, one of America’s most distinguished and prolific historians was the featured speaker at the JCHS annual meeting held November 4 at the Muehlebach Hotel in Kansas City.  Over the years Ferrell has become a familiar face at the JCHS Archives, researching for his many writing projects.    

The year 1999 ushered in new leadership for JCHS when Sherry Hooper became executive director. Before coming to JCHS, Hooper worked as Director of Communications for Harvesters, a Kansas City food bank. 

2000

JCHS member and retired Truman Library archivist, Niel M. Johnson, authored the book, Power, Money and Women:  Words to the Wise from Harry S. Truman. The book features a compilation of the wit and helpful sayings of the Man from Independence. The JCHS supported the book with a grant from the Hulston Family Foundation. Johnson graciously donated the proceeds from the book’s first printing to JCHS. 

“Murder or Coincidence?  The Mysterious Death of Col. Swope in the Care of Dr. Hyde,” was performed on October 3 and 8. The JCHS reenacted the trial of Dr. Bennet Clark Hyde. The performance was the brainchild of JCHS board member, author and lawyer Ralph A. Monaco II, and was based on the original trial transcript.

2001

The JCHS joined with the office of Jackson County Executive Katheryn Shields to help celebrate the county’s 175th anniversary. The official kickoff of the celebration was planned for the JCHS annual meeting in November at the Truman Presidential Library, to be emceed by local radio personality Bill Kalaherka. Local media helped the JCHS solicit from the public a list of 175 people who made positive contributions to the county since its inception. The final list includes such personalities as George Caleb Bingham, Daniel Boone, Howard Hughes, J.C. Nichols and 171 more! Over the course of the year the honorees were publicized in a variety of ways. 

In May the JCHS board of directors announced its formal resolution of support for the controversial Liberty Memorial renovation and museum project. Brad Pace, JCHS board president, was quoted in the book, Lest the Ages Forget, Kansas City’s Liberty Memorial, published by Kansas City Star Books, “We have studied the plans carefully and have come to the unanimous conclusion that the Kansas City parks board is sincere and architecturally diligent in its campaign to bring Liberty Memorial back to life.”

2002

After twelve years of researching, board member Anita Loeb completed her book (published by the Blue and Grey Book Shoppe of Independence) entitled, Gone But Not Forgotten. Her 934 page compendium documents burials in the Jewish cemeteries of Kansas City, Missouri. Over 15,000 burials are included, along with much biographical data. 

JCHS executive director Jim Giles contributed an article to the spring 2002 Journal, in which he told the story of learning the details of his deceased grandfather’s participation in the WWII invasion of North Africa. Giles noted that although his grandfather was no longer living, he had left the written word to help others understand his life experience. This, Giles explained, was the mission of the JCHS, to make history accessible through the written word. 

The spring 2002 Journal also offered an essay on the 175 year history of Jackson County, “In a Nutshell.”

In collaboration with County Executive Katheryn Shields, the Jackson County Historical Society sponsored an essay contest to name two reconstructed county bridges. Students at Blue Springs High School and Grain Valley Middle School were selected as winners for suggesting the bridges be named for Jackson Countians William Rockhill Nelson and Jeremiah Baird.

JCHS board member, legal legend, and World War II veteran Edward Matheny, Jr. published his book, In Pursuit of a Ruptured Duck:  When Kansas Citians Went to War. Matheny recounts the story of Jackson County members of the greatest generation who went off to war, including some who just happen to be well known Jackson County personalities, including himself, Henry Bloch, and brothers James M. Kemper, Jr. and David Kemper. Matheny explains in his book that as a newly minted navy ensign he reported for duty at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, to serve on the staff of the Commander-in-Chief Pacific Fleet, four star admiral Chester W. Nimtz. This gave Matheny a front row seat to history during the US Navy’s Pacific campaign to win the war against Japan. Matheny explains in his book that he was on the Island of Guam with the Admiral’s staff when he learned that Franklin Roosevelt had died, and that Harry Truman was the new President.

2003

The Jackson County Historical Society produced a 16 page souvenir handbook to provide a brief easy to read history of Jackson County, entitled A River Runs by It. The booklet benefits from the Society’s photographic collection and also formed the basis for a speakers bureau presentation. 

Future JCHS board member, lifelong Independence resident, and historian, Bill Bundschu, contributed an article to the Journal on the US Army’s 1916 expedition into Mexico to hunt down Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa. After Villa and his motley band of rebels crossed into the USA to attack the border town of Columbus, New Mexico. President Wilson tasked Missourian, General John J. Pershing, with the job of finding Villa. The wily Pancho Villa managed to escape capture, but as a fighting force his army was decimated.

Another board member, Pat O’Neil, contributed a Journal article on Kansas City’s historic Phillips Hotel. O’Neil details the hotel’s complicated history, from the start of construction in 1929, through its many changes in ownership, to its 50 million dollar renovation in 2001.

In commemoration of the 140th anniversary of George Caleb Bingham’s masterpiece Order No. 11, the JCHS reproduced for resale copies of its original signed engraving of Marshall Law (or, Order No. 11.) Bingham was reportedly so outraged by General Ewing’s order that he proclaimed, “If God spares my life, with pen and pencil I will make this order infamous in history.” Indeed he did!

2004

The 1859 Jail, Marshall’s Home and Museum celebrated the 45th anniversary of its 1959 renovation and restoration. With the rallying cry of “Save the Old Jail,” the newly reorganized Jackson County Historical Society not only saved it from demolition, but filled it with period appropriate furnishings and successfully got it listed on the National Register of Historic Places. One of the early fundraising calls was made by none other than former president Harry Truman, to Joyce Hall, who donated $1,000. Truman also spoke at the dedication ceremony. 

In the spring Journal, JCHS executive director Jim Giles recounted the awards announced at the 2003 annual meeting. The winners included the Education Award to the Historic Garment District Group; the Preservation Award to Ken and Cindy McClain; and the Documenting History Award to Edward T. Matheny, Jr.

The JCHS collaborated with Americans Remembered, Inc., and the Library of Congress to produce hundreds of oral history interviews as part of the Veterans History Project. These firsthand accounts covered America’s conflicts from World War II to the Persian Gulf War, to preserve for posterity the personal stories of those heroes who served.

The JCHS also put out a call for those who served in Roosevelt era Civilian Conservation Corps, to contribute their personal recollections as well as any related memorabilia or photograph. 

2005

More than 30 people answered the Society’s emergency call to purchase a Jackson County ledger. This ledger was used by the country from 1836 thru the 1860’s. It includes a wide array entries covering such things a fines issued and business licenses granted. The Society’s archivist David Jackson explained that the JCHS lacks the resources to purchase such items and so has to rely on donations. He added, what better way to leave behind a legacy than to have your name forever attached to a permanent JCHS collection?

The JCHS received a phone call from an alert citizen who wanted to report the discovery of a number of 19th century headstones in a Raytown backyard. The first headstone was actually discovered by Tim and Janet Morgans’ golden Labrador retriever. The Morgan’s family pet had accidentally rediscovered the Archibald Rice family plantation cemetery. JCHS immediately recommended that none of the headstones be moved, and to mark the spot of any that had already been moved. Meanwhile a JCHS volunteer, Kathleen Tuhoey, began assembling research materials to document the newly rediscovered cemetery. In this way the cemetery of one of Jackson County’s earliest families has been mapped with care. The Morgan family has respectfully planted a memorial garden on that portion of the cemetery which is in the corner of their backyard. 

The JCHS archives plan for 2005 included three big projects: 1) the conversion of the archives 45 year old card catalog system into a searchable electronic database; 2) processing Jackson County Court records dating back to the 1830’s; and 3) reprinting several books important to Jackson County history, the 1877 Illustrated Atlas, 1881 History of Jackson County, and Octave Chanute’s 1870 Kansas City Bridge book.

While researching for a book on his family department store on the courthouse square, board member Bill Bundschu discovered a long forgotten 1906 Examiner article on the 1859 jail.  Another JCHS member, Paul Saeli, alerted JCHS administration about a 19th century iron key used by jailers at the 1859 jail. The key was being auctioned for sale to the highest bidder. The seller had apparently acquired the key from the estate of the granddaughter of an unnamed lawman. Fortunately, JCHS was the successful bidder and the key has been “returned home” where it can be appropriately displayed. 

2006

The cause of historic preservation lost a great friend when Jane Fifield Flynn passed away. Jane was a past JCHS president, and a passionate advocate for history awareness. 

JCHS archivist David Jackson put out call for donations of abstracts of title for properties of local importance.  An abstract of title is a condensed historical chronology of title to a particular parcel of land.  Before title insurance became widespread, people relied on such an abstract to determine clear title.  The JCHS has over 5,000 abstracts, each one can provide insight into times past. 

2007

The Illustrated Historical Atlas of Jackson County was prepared with great detail in 1877, and provides a snapshot of the county’s residents, landowners and businesses. An original copy is safely housed within the JCHS archives. In commemoration of America’s bicentennial in 1976, the JCHS first reprinted this document to make it publicly available. In 2007, after more than two years of preparation, the JCHS again reprinted this important document, as a 130th Anniversary Commemorative Edition. A highlight to this reprint is a new name index. A plat map index was also added.