Educational Programs and Lectures

JCHS offers educational resources for individuals, youths and adults, as well as for area service clubs, social clubs, business associations, schools, or cultural groups through our Speaker’s Bureau.

Some daytime, evening and weekend presentation times are available to organizations and clubs in Jackson County, Missouri. Programs may be formatted for up to one-hour segments. In-person or virtual presentations are currently offered. Advanced registration is required.

Directory of Programming

 If you would like your program listed here, please contact info@jchs.org

A River Runs By It: The Story of Jackson County’s 175+Year History

Offered by: David W. Jackson, retired JCHS archivist

Travel through time over more than 175 years of Jackson County history as you examine the challenging and triumphant events that residents have met and overcome. Enjoy a lively discussion about some highlights of our history from 1826 through to the present, and gain insights into the wealth of area history and heritage sites that are preserved for your enjoyment. A selection of optional reading material on the topic is also available for a nominal fee.

Available: In-Person Only (COVID compliant); weeknights and weekends only.

Contact: E-mail david.jackson@orderlypackrat.com to schedule a speaking engagement.

Fee: $125 donation; $100 to “David Jackson” time/travel; $25 to “Jackson County Historical Society

Harry Truman's "Bah Humbug" Christmas of 1945

Offered by: Brian Burnes, JCHS President

Available: Virtual only.

Contact: bpburnesiii@gmail.com

The Last Kisses of Patsy Cline

Offered by: Brian Burnes, JCHS President

The story of how Patsy Cline gave her last concerts in 1963 in Kansas City, Kan. to assist the family of an Independence radio disc jockey who had died from injuries sustained in a car accident. Cline died in a private plane crash while returning to Nashville from those concerts.

Available: Virtual only.

Contact: bpburnes@gmail.com

Saving the Strauss-Peyton Collection

Offered by: Bruce Mathews, JCHS lead volunteer on the Strauss-Peyton Collection

The in-depth story of how the Strauss-Peyton Collection came to the Jackson County Historical Society and the preservation work and digitization of this collection that has occurred to bring it to life once again.

Available: Ask for availability.

Contact: bcmathews1948@gmail.com

These Walls Were Made for Talking: Researching the History of Your House in Jackson County, Missouri

Offered by: David W. Jackson

Ever wanted to learn more about the house you live in, or the property you own in Jackson County? Unlock the door to a number of possibilities in this informative session. Jackson will share tips on what kinds of records are available in the Jackson County Historical Society Archives, as well as other local government and archival repositories. An optional, helpful 12-page booklet by the same title is available for $3.

Available: In-Person Only (COVID compliant); weeknights and weekends only.

Contact: E-mail david.jackson@orderlypackrat.com to schedule a speaking engagement.

Fee: $125 donation; $100 to “David Jackson” time/travel; $25 to “Jackson County Historical Society”

Winding the Clock: The Independence Square and Truman Jackson County Courthouse

Offered by: David W. Jackson

Independence Square was laid out in 1827, and Jackson County built a temporary log courthouse a couple of blocks away. They completed their first, permanent brick courthouse on the square in 1836. Over the years, the building was remodeled and enlarged, the last redesign taking place in 1933 when Harry S Truman was a county legislator. But, remnants of five courthouses are contained within the walls of the building, the 1836 nucleus of which STILL SURVIVES! Take a tour with author and historic preservationist, David W. Jackson, whose book by the same title is optionally available.

Available: In-Person Only (COVID compliant); weeknights and weekends only.

Contact: E-mail david.jackson@orderlypackrat.com to schedule a speaking engagement.

Fee: $125 donation; $100 to “David Jackson” time/travel; $25 to “Jackson County Historical Society”

Conserving Missouri Cemeteries

Offered by: David W. Jackson

There are some 400 small pioneer cemeteries scattered throughout Jackson County, Missouri. As development presses into heretofore rural lands, more and more of these sacred spaces come into jeopardy. Learn tips and tricks to locate ancestors’ marked graves. Also, see how you might help protect and preserve small burying grounds into perpetuity. Other books relating to local cemeteries are optionally available for sale, plus a 12-booklet by the same title for $3.

Available: In-Person Only (COVID compliant); weeknights and weekends only.

Contact: E-mail david.jackson@orderlypackrat.com to schedule a speaking engagement.

Fee: $125 donation; $100 to “David Jackson” time/travel; $25 to “Jackson County Historical Society”

African American Genealogical Research for Beginners

Offered by: David W. Jackson

Believe it or not, genealogy is the same for anyone searching for ancestors in the United States back to 1870. Then, the trail can get more cumbersome for those seeking ancestors with African descent. Jackson will share information, sources, and inspiration using examples of how he re-discovered one of his own ancestor’s black heritage. An optional book, Born a Slave: Re-Discovering Arthur Jackson’s African American Heritage, is available for a nominal fee.

Available: In-Person Only (COVID compliant); weeknights and weekends only.

Contact: E-mail david.jackson@orderlypackrat.com to schedule a speaking engagement.

Fee: $125 donation; $100 to “David Jackson” time/travel; $25 to “Jackson County Historical Society”

Changing Times: Almanac and Digest of Kansas City’s LGBTQIA History

Offered by: David W. Jackson

Many people understand that the June 1969 Stonewall Riots was spark that ignited the modern Gay Rights Movement in 1969. But, the kindling was laid here in Kansas City three years earlier in 1966. Find out more, and follow a timeline through Kansas City’s history to gain an appreciation for LGBTQ individuals’ equal rights. An optional book by the same title is available for a nominal fee.

Available: In-Person Only (COVID compliant); weeknights and weekends only.

Contact: E-mail david.jackson@orderlypackrat.com to schedule a speaking engagement.

Fee: $125 donation; $100 to “David Jackson” time/travel; $25 to “Jackson County Historical Society”

How Jackson County’s History Relates to American History

Offered by: David W. Jackson

History abounds everywhere and at every street corner. In fact, more events have happened in Jackson County with national significance than most communities. Revisit the highlights that have “made” Kansas City and Jackson County . . . how much has been saved . . . . and how much is available to the public to visit, learn from and enjoy. A selection of optional reading material on the topic is also available for a nominal fee.

Available: In-Person Only (COVID compliant); weeknights and weekends only.

Contact: E-mail david.jackson@orderlypackrat.com to schedule a speaking engagement.

Fee: $125 donation; $100 to “David Jackson” time/travel; $25 to “Jackson County Historical Society”

Born a Slave: Rediscovering Arthur Jackson’s African American Heritage

Offered by: David W. Jackson

Follow the life story of Arthur Jackson who was born a slave; but, who married a Caucasian wife and whose children passed for white. The family hid the truth of their heritage and their secret was safe for nearly 100 years before the presenter re-discovered Arthur Jackson’s African American Heritage. Along the way, Jackson will share tips and tricks for searching for ancestors with African descent.  An optional book by the same title is available for a nominal fee.

Available: In-Person Only (COVID compliant); weeknights and weekends only.

Contact: E-mail david.jackson@orderlypackrat.com to schedule a speaking engagement.

Fee: $125 donation; $100 to “David Jackson” time/travel; $25 to “Jackson County Historical Society”

How to Publish Your Own Book

Offered by: David W. Jackson

Always wanted to publish your collection of poetry? Maybe you’ve recorded family memories or have genealogy you want to share with family? Or, is your thesis worth working over to publish? The list of possibilities is endless. Short of contracting with an established publishing house, what is an author to do? Jackson has a tried and true, easy and FREE self-publishing process to share with prospective authors turned publishers. Publish your fiction or nonfiction manuscript. Once you publish your first book, you may already have another idea lined up for the next.

Available: In-Person Only (COVID compliant); weeknights and weekends only.

Contact: E-mail david.jackson@orderlypackrat.com to schedule a speaking engagement.

Fee: $125 donation; $100 to “David Jackson” time/travel; $25 to “Jackson County Historical Society”

Introductory Genealogy Clinic

Offered by: David W. Jackson

Genealogy is the study of one’s family history. Start climbing your family tree today. Jackson will show you the two simple forms you need to get off the ground. Some of the fast and easy resources available to beginning genealogists, or family historians, will be reviewed and taken on a test drive. If you’ve already gotten a jump start may be stuck with a roadblock, Jackson may have guidance; he started when he was 11 in 1980. If Internet access is available, a selection of genealogy-related databases will be shared that are accessible to anyone with a Mid-Continent Library System library card.

Available: In-Person Only (COVID compliant); weeknights and weekends only.

Contact: E-mail david.jackson@orderlypackrat.com to schedule a speaking engagement.

Fee: $125 donation; $100 to “David Jackson” time/travel; $25 to “Jackson County Historical Society”

Kansas City Chronicles: An Up-to-Date History

Offered by: David W. Jackson

You’ve heard the famous saying (from a popular song in Oklahoma!) that “Everything’s Up-to-Date in Kansas City.” This is the presentation where you learn the meaning behind that History abounds everywhere and at every street corner. And, more events have happened in Jackson County with national significance than most communities. Revisit the highlights that have “made” Kansas City and Jackson County . . . how much has been saved . . . . and how much is available to the public to visit, learn from and enjoy. A selection of optional reading material on the topic is also available for a nominal fee.

Available: In-Person Only (COVID compliant); weeknights and weekends only.

Contact: E-mail david.jackson@orderlypackrat.com to schedule a speaking engagement.

Fee: $125 donation; $100 to “David Jackson” time/travel; $25 to “Jackson County Historical Society”

Kansas City Women of Independent Minds

Offered by: David W. Jackson

Based on Jane Flynn’s book by the same title, Jackson will walk through Kansas City and Jackson County history from the perspective of the WOMEN who helped shape local HERstory’s destiny. You’ll be amazed to learn or re-discover the women who were here the whole time; but, rarely got the credit in local history books. This presentation takes steps to correct that omission and celebrate women from all walks of life over the last 175+years of county history.

Available: In-Person Only (COVID compliant); weeknights and weekends only.

Contact: E-mail david.jackson@orderlypackrat.com to schedule a speaking engagement.

Fee: $125 donation; $100 to “David Jackson” time/travel; $25 to “Jackson County Historical Society”

Lock Down: Outlaws, Lawmen, and Frontier Justice in Jackson County, Missouri

Offered by: David W. Jackson

One of the first things Jackson Countians did after the county was created in 1826 was to construct a jail (and a small courthouse). The log structure passed into the annals of history when someone burned the logs to attempt a jailbreak. Officials got smart and built a brick replacement, which itself was replaced in 1859 with a solid limestone cell block. That structure survives today and has been owned and operated as a museum since 1959 by the Jackson County Historical Society. Jackson will march attendees through history of the site, and highlight the men AND WOMEN who lived on both sides of the locked, iron doors. An optional book by the same title is available for a nominal fee. Available in the JCHS Bookstore.

Available: In-Person Only (COVID compliant); weeknights and weekends only.

Contact: E-mail david.jackson@orderlypackrat.com to schedule a speaking engagement.

Fee: $125 donation; $100 to “David Jackson” time/travel; $25 to “Jackson County Historical Society”

Lost Souls of the Lost Township: Untold Life Stories of the People Buried in the Davis-Smith Cemetery, Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri

Offered by: David W. Jackson

Pioneers buried their deceased loved ones on a pretty spot on their property, or a nearby neighbor’s sacred space set aside for the neighborhood. The Davis family started their family burying ground when one local family’s patriarch, Lewis Starr—a Revolutionary War veteran—died in the 1820s. At least two young, Southern girls were killed in 1863 during the Civil War when the Union prison where they were held collapsed upon them. Many more members of the Little Blue and Raytown communities were buried in the Davis-Smith Cemetery, and the sacred space has been threatened with development for more than 20 years. Calling attention to the history represented by the people buried there is one way local historians and descendants are trying to save it forever! Other books relating to local cemeteries, plus a book by the same title is available for a nominal fee.

Available: In-Person Only (COVID compliant); weeknights and weekends only.

Contact: E-mail david.jackson@orderlypackrat.com to schedule a speaking engagement.

Fee: $125 donation; $100 to “David Jackson” time/travel; $25 to “Jackson County Historical Society”

Practical Preservation: Simple, Sensible Steps to Safeguard Family Heirlooms

Offered by: David W. Jackson

Saving family heirlooms and passing them on from one generation to the next is important to most people. But, what is the best way to handle and store an old document or photograph? What about a mother's wedding dress or grandmother’s quilt? Jackson, a professionally trained historic preservationist with nearly 30 years of experience in archives management, will share practical advice that anyone can take to conserve these items safely . . .  and on a budget! If weather conditions are optimal, guests are invited to bring samples to share with the group and obtain specific, practical suggestions for their preservation. An optional 12-page booklet by a similar title is available for $3.

Available: In-Person Only (COVID compliant); weeknights and weekends only.

Contact: E-mail david.jackson@orderlypackrat.com to schedule a speaking engagement.

Fee: $125 donation; $100 to “David Jackson” time/travel; $25 to “Jackson County Historical Society”

They Rushed for Gold! Following the California Trail from Missouri

Offered by: David W. Jackson

Follow the California Trail from Missouri to the California Territory through the letters and daily diary of two brothers when they led an ox-pulled wagon across the plains in 1850. Did they strike it rich? You gotta attend! The trails experience is a big part of Jackson County’s history, which factors into this presentation with the Donner Party that left Independence Square in 1846. Jackson’s book, Direct Your Letters to San Jose: The Letters and Diary of James and David Lee Campbell, 1849-1852, is optionally available.

Available: In-Person Only (COVID compliant); weeknights and weekends only.

Contact: E-mail david.jackson@orderlypackrat.com to schedule a speaking engagement.

Fee: $125 donation; $100 to “David Jackson” time/travel; $25 to “Jackson County Historical Society”

We Were Hanging by a Thread: The Kansas City Garment District Pieces the Past Together

Offered by: David W. Jackson

Take a tour of Kansas City’s historic Garment District with David W. Jackson, co-author of a book (optionally available) by the same title. Anyone living, working, or visiting downtown Kansas City, the "Heart of America," might find this topic of interest. Architectural historians should discover the built environment of the Garment District notable. Even barbeque enthusiasts will savor knowing that Henry Perry, "the father of Kansas City-style barbecue," got his start in 1908 from a stand in an alley in this now historic neighborhood. Prepare yourself to gain an appreciation for an art form and way of life that is no more. A book by the same title is optionally available.

Available: In-Person Only (COVID compliant); weeknights and weekends only.

Contact: E-mail david.jackson@orderlypackrat.com to schedule a speaking engagement.

Fee: $125 donation; $100 to “David Jackson” time/travel; $25 to “Jackson County Historical Society”