June 13, 2023

Dear Patrons,

Welcome to the first blog post of our new website. It is a busy time here as we complete three new exhibits and prepare for a special Tea Party event.

Through the brilliant research of Denise Lincoln we were able to create the exhibit “The US African American Troops from Cape Girardeau during the Civil War.” It was powerful for us to be able to name the 64 men who were listed from this region. Most of them died, never realizing their freedom. Lincoln’s research provides more details of the service of these men. Those who were rejected for service, escaped bondage during service, or who were fortunate enough to muster out at the end of the war, survived the fate of the majority of these 64 men. The exhibit includes a replica regimental flag painted by renowned regional artist, Malcolm McCrae. Also included is a Civil War Cavalry horse bridle, and a pair of Civil War crutches. These men mustered out of Arkansas, even though they were slaves from this region. Some of their grave markers were placed at the New Lorimier Cemetery in Cape Girardeau.

We are happy to announce an exhibit that celebrates a lifetime of friendship. Twelve young women from the Jackson High School Class of 1959 made a pledge to meet for coffee once a week. 64 years later, they are still meeting.

Our “flat case” exhibit has hosted many wonderful collections over the years. Currently, it features a collection of line drawings of Cape Girardeau historic structures by Doris Dace.

We hope you can join us on Saturday, June 17, from 1-4 p.m. for a special Tea Party. In c.1840, a little girl in Jackson named, Sallie Ann Criddle received a beautiful German doll. This doll, also named Sallie Ann, spent the next 180 years passing through the Criddle descendants across the country. The final owner, Sally from Delaware, had no descendants to pass on the tradition, and made the decision to return Sallie Ann back home to Jackson. Textile expert, Hope Eddleman, created an entire wardrobe for Sallie Ann. On Saturday, the last owner, Sally, will be here from Delaware, Hope Eddleman will give a presentation on Sallie’s Ann’s period-representing clothing, we will enjoy a biscuit buffet, and will have live piano music on the historic square grand piano by Kim Hayes. There is no admission fee, and you might want to wear a fancy hat!

Thank you for visiting our new website. I am at your service. Please stop in for a visit, or send me an email: cgchistorycenter@yahoo.com.

Take Care, Director Carla Jordan

History Matters

June 25, 2023

Dear Patrons,

The above post was the prelude to a nearly perfect day at the History Center. The fuss over a little doll symbolized so much more: a pilgrimage for a founding regional descendant, an opportunity to introduce the History Center to many who had never been there, a world-class textile lecture by Hope Eddleman, a beautiful team effort by the History Center team, and a fun “Biscuit Bar” experience that no one present had ever experienced. These artifact stories remind me of Mary Steinhoff’s red cape. Mary Lee wore it everywhere. She was my dear pal, and I have missed her wonderful smile and lust for life for 8 years this past week. I was gifted her red cape, and wear it sometimes. Artifacts can symbolize so much more than “worn in” stuff. They help us remember great friendships, long gone people who influenced our lives, and happy moments. Please share your artifact stories with us.

Take care, Director Carla

History Matters

August 12, 2023

One of the “sayings” I use for docent museum volunteer and university student development is, “Everything from neurosurgery to belly dancing is about relationships.” One of my dear pals is a neurosurgeon and I long have been enamored of belly dancing, but only in the past few years have I known an accomplished belly dancer—my beloved friend and MoMo’s Bakery owner, Shannon Stafford. The point of my “saying” is to promote forward progress in our mission, to promote personal (and professional growth) as well as promoting joy from positive relationships. We create an environment of stability and growth at the History Center with a focus on kind but direct interactions, encouraging a creative environment, staying present to those in our sphere, while setting boundaries on chronically negative non-problem-solvers. I have noted that our greatest accomplishments as a Historical Society team are our positive relationships with our Cape County city governments, tourism site leadership, regional media outlets,, Uptown Jackson business owners, the UJRO organizational leadership, the State Humanities Council staff, our financial mentors, the SE Missouri St. Univ. HP program, the regional citizens who patronize our site, our expert mentors, and so many other people who support the Historical Society.

Recently, our relationships in the region have brought in a phenomenal documentary and historic photographic collection, new docents, great artists, unique artifact collections, supportive financial donations, and many other treasured resources.

Please remember us and our responsibility as your Historical Society when you plan your year-end financial donations. We work hard to maintain our non-profit status. We work diligently to nurture our relationships in order to document, preserve, interpret, and celebrate the history of yesterday, today, and tomorrow in this region.

At your service, Director Carla

History Matters

September 3, 2023

I hope you all have fun plans for this Labor Day weekend. We have plenty of upcoming plans I hope you will participate in this Autumn.

Our banquet tickets for our annual event are on sale. The event will be Sunday, November 5, at 6 p.m. at the Jackson Civic Center, 381 E. Deerwood Dr., Jackson, MO. We have planned as our theme a “Celebration of Santa Claus.” Our guest keynote speaker is Dr. Henry Wolf, a renowned Santa Claus expert. Tractor’s catering will be creating “Grandma’s Christmas Feast” for us, and the regional band, Docsology, will perform a concert. We have organized a special Santa-themed silent auction. Tickets are $60 each, and can be purchased at the History Center at 102 S. High St., or send a check to this address and we will mail them to you. For more info. call: 573-204-4240.

Another Autumn fun event is the next in our Speaker’s Events: The History of Beekeeping in Southeast Missouri with Carmen McNeely of Indian Creek Hives. Sunday, October 15, from 2-4 p.m. at the History Center, 102 S. High St., Jackson. Admission is free, and refreshments will be served.

I hope you can join us for one of these special events. Take care, Director Carla

Books! Books! Books!

February 19, 2024

We are often asked what we will take as donations at the Cape Girardeau County Historical Society.  Cash is always appreciated and very much needed.  Our mission is to document, preserve and interpret the regional history of the people, places, things, and events from yesterday, today and tomorrow.  Therefore, we like to receive as donations photographs, documents, books and artifacts that tell the story of Cape Girardeau County.

Let’s talk about books.  We do not take fiction books.  Those should go to the public libraries in the area.  We do take the following books:  regional, state and national history; family genealogy; yearbooks for area schools; church histories; presidential history; military history; and Native American and African American history.

We have a nice selection of family genealogy books but are always looking to expand that section of our library.  We also have a large selection of area school yearbooks.  However, we are missing several years from our collection.  The annuals that we do not have include Jackson Silver Arrows from 1916-1920, 1926, 1931-1935, 1973 and 1978.  We are also missing these years for the Cape Central Girardot: 1925-1932, 1940-1947, 1953-55, and 1960-1963.  Southeast Missouri State Sagamores that are needed include 1918, 1945, 1946, 1949, 1950, 1952, 1958-1961.  We would very much appreciate having any of these yearbooks. 

As you think about cleaning out closets and basements this spring, please consider the Cape Girardeau County Historical Society as the place to donate books, photographs, documents and artifacts that tell your story.  Thank you!

Alice Ireland

President, Cape Girardeau County Historical Society

Here’s What Happens at the Research Annex!

April 24, 2024

In case you ever wondered what goes on at the Research Annex for the Cape Girardeau County History center, these three incredible volunteers can tell you. They come in every Tuesday each week and process collections, scan photos, file small manuscripts and anything else we need them to do. It is people like these three who are preserving the history of Cape Girardeau County.