Boone County History & Culture Center

Today is the day! Be sure to visit our YouTube channel anytime after 10 am to hear author Steve Wiegenstein's behind-the-scenes stories from the Daybreak series and his new book, "Scattered Lights". Find the conversation (and more!) at Youtube.com/BoonehistoryOrg.

Due to poor road conditions and for the safety of our patrons, volunteers and staff members, the Boone County History & Culture Center will be closed to the public today. Check this page tomorrow for information on tomorrow's hours. In the meantime, please enjoy our online art exhibit and our digital collections found at boonehistory.org

October 28, 1911 - At a ceremony in Columbia, Missouri Governor Herbert Hadley dedicated the first official highway across the state. Designated by the new Highway Department of the State Department of Agriculture, the Missouri Cross State Highway ran from St. Louis through Columbia, crossing the Missouri River at Arrow Rock on the way to Kansas City, incorporating the Boone's Lick Road and part of the Santa Fe Trail. The macadam-surfaced road was planned to be a link in the Ocean to Ocean highway at that time being considered by Congress. It evolved into the National Old Trails Road, MO Route 2, US 40 and the corridor of present day I-70. Thanks to Missouri's Historic Highways and Sarah Poff for this gem of Boone County history!

We <3 what Aarik Danielsen of the @columbiadailytribune said about Steve Wiegenstein's new book! In a book made of beautiful, complicated moving parts, Wiegenstein finds a greater sum. Considering these characters, he gives lie to the ways we think and talk about small towns and their people... Each story in ‘Scattered Lights’ starts with uncommon understanding and ends exactly where it should, even if the reader leaves that corner of the world wanting more. Join us Saturda...y to hear more about" Scattered Lights": https://www.facebook.com/events/148499953546829 See more

Dr. Hugh E. Stephenson, Jr. is the posthumous honoree in this year's Boone County Hall of Fame. Dr. Stephenson: Performed the University of Missouri's first open-heart surgery in 1958 Was one of the first surgeons to implant an automatic defibrillator Developed one of the first mobile cardiac resuscitation units... ...and much more. He once said, "I always thought if you could make someone feel even greater than they are, they will rise to that occasion"... ...a lesson we can apply to all walks of life. Learn more about this amazing man here: https://loom.ly/vpPUznM Support the Boone County Hall of Fame: https://loom.ly/55x1c8U

What will you be for Halloween this year? Tell us in the comments! Check out how these Christian College (now Columbia College) students dressed up for Halloween back in 1925! The pumpkin patches were a nice touch but they don't seem to have brightened her spirit . Photo credit: Halloween Grand March 1925 https://loom.ly/c_lHlxI

Immerse yourself in culture from the comfort of your own home, and support the History & Culture Center at the same time with a tremendous virtual concert featuring Michael Butterworth. A superb local pianist, Butterworth returns to the Blind Boone Piano for the first time in three years in this spectacular YouTube broadcast. You are sure to be entertained with his performance of familiar favorites from classical numbers to movie scores. The performance, which will be avail...able on-demand, has been postponed to October 28. Tickets to access the private link are $10 for individuals and $20 for a household. Thank you for continuing to support local arts and culture through your purchase! Learn more: boonehistory.org//boone-piano-concert-series-michael-butte

There's still time to register for tonight's discussion on The WE Project! Join us at 7 p.m. to learn about the project from the founder Valérie Berta and participants Ana Garcia, Danyiel Kelly, Allison d’Agostino, Bushra Faris, Eryca Neville and Hope Schust. Register at bit.ly/WEProjectDiscussion.

Our exhibit, "Boone County 1820 - 2020 Two Hundred Years of Progress" features a 19th century, authentic covered wagon! And while you can't ride in it, you can see it up-close and personal! #ColumbiaMO #boonebicentennial Come imagine the world as it was 200 years ago and celebrate Boone County Missouri's 200th birthday at our exhibit! ... Admission is free.

Today is the day! Head over to the History & Culture Center's YouTube channel for fan favorite Marlene Lee. The historical novelist and mystery writer will read a portion of a short story, The City of Tomorrow, and discuss the role that geography plays in her work. YouTube Channel: youtube.com/channel/UCzvEhxq7suoG752MLXVwV0g... Meet the Author at Boone County History & Culture Center

Check out 11-year-old Patton's awesome drawing of a nurse from his Remembering the Coronavirus questionnaire! He also gave us some great insight into what it is like being an 11-year-old experiencing this pandemic: -What is different right now vs. before?: "We can't do anything!!!! No camping, no skating, no BBQs." ... We're pretty bummed about no BBQ's too, Patton. -How do you feel about learning from home?: "It sucks, but we get to see our parents more." -If you discovered a new sickness, what would you call it?: "Stay away from everyone disease." Seems pretty accurate. If you or someone you know is interested in contributing to our Remembering the Coronavirus project please head on over to our website We'd love to hear about your or your children's experiences! https://boonehistory.org/remembering-the-coronavirus/

Join us on Saturday 10/17 for fan favorite Marlene Lee! The historical novelist and mystery writer will read a portion of a short story, The City of Tomorrow, and discuss the role that geography plays in her work. A highly respected local author, Lee has always been a champion of others that are interested in honing their craft. Thus, the conversation between her and host David Webber is sure to touch on her creative process, offer great advice for aspiring authors and share a bit about her new book project on human sex trafficking. And, make sure to like the Meet the Author at Boone County History & Culture Center page to learn about future events!

"One thing we’re striving for is to be what Boone County needs right now, but also to record information that we’ll need in the future to understand everything that has happened in 2020." -BCHS Administrative Services Manager Mary Ellen Lohmann Learn more about the incredible stories being preserved in the Remembering the Coronavirus Project, thanks to Vox Magazine! Read the full story at https://www.voxmagazine.com//article_2b8bc164-0c25-11eb-96.

One of the most meaningful aspects of remembering our county's rich history, is it teaches us how to have hope about the present and future. Here's the Phi Alpha Delta fraternity, all gussied-up for the University of Missouri yearbook in 1918 - the same year of the Spanish Flu. Despite it all, they still "dressed to the nines" and made it through that roller coaster of a year. ... Makes us think of Homecoming coming up this weekend. Because of the pandemic, 2020 has been...unusual, to put it mildly. It's also the year of our community's 200th birthday, and a year that has further exposed how marginalized some lives and voices still are. It's been a tough year for us, too. But how about we still dress to the nines and celebrate something new (safely!)? So, in short, we're excited about Mizzou's Homecoming! Not only is it just plain fun, but it still provides a semblance of hope that we will get through this with a "timeless and true" tradition, that we can still celebrate. Maybe it's also the spark of a new generation of leaders that will be making history of their own.

Today we expected to be celebrating the extraordinary achievements of our 2020 enshrineessculptor Sabra Tull Meyer, renowned cardiothoracic surgeon and educator the late Dr. Hugh E. Stephenson, Jr. and MBS Textbook Exchangeat an in-person gala. Yet, 2020 had other plans. So, raise a toast to these three honorees, wherever you are on this Friday, October 9, 2020, the planned date of our annual Hall of Fame Gala. And, don't be sad. Join us in celebration!... Learn more at BooneHistory.org/Hall-Of-Fame-2020.

Have you checked out The WE Project in the The Montminy Art Gallery?! You can see it in person or online at https://loom.ly/kzw7TjE. The WE Project seeks a world of radical inclusion and equitable representation, giving marginalized voices in Missouri a platform to be heard. This exhibit consists of portraits and videos of individuals telling their incredible stories. We hope this exhibit fosters meaningful conversation about diversity in our community.

We're taking a head count. Are you keeping a journal to submit to our Remembering the Coronavirus project? If so, send us a message or email us at [email protected]. We are loving the wonderful submissions from both adults and children, and are trying to get a better idea of how many journals we'll have for the final project.... History is in the making all around us thank you for sharing your stories!

Did you know that Boone County turned 200 this year? We think some of our historic homes are aging like a fine wine. What’s your favorite local landmark? Here's a look at how housing has changed from 1820 to 2020 in Missouri! Photos: ... OldHouses.com https://loom.ly/FP_XVzc The Boone County Historical Society’s Photography Collection https://loom.ly/xT_SINU Inside Columbia https://loom.ly/uYRLkEA See more

No Hall of Fame Gala this year means we need your support more than ever! The Gala usually contributes about $45,000 to our funding annually, and is one of the best ways to spread the word about the center, our cause and impact on Boone County! So here's how you can help. First, if you donate $20 or more, you support our wide array of exhibits, galleries, digital collections and other cultural projects.... You also get a 30-minute video tour of our current exhibits, underground vaults and exclusive interviews - hosted by KOMU's own Emily Spain! You'll even get a printed copy of our Hall of Fame Commemorative Magazine. You can also purchase space in the Commemorative Magazine! This gives you the opportunity to share your stories or show support for our Hall of Fame enshrinees. Learn more here: https://loom.ly/YyVru8w