Information
he Historical Society is the perfect stop to spend an hour browsing through the house and getting a glimpse of life in the early 20th century. Since it served as home to two generations of the same family, the warmth of that period remains with tidbits of information about each room provided by the original builder’s grandson, Ben. You may read about the time Mrs. Moore found dynamite stored in her oven by her children or how they used the floor in the attic as a bowling ally, complete with pins and a ball. With the generosity of local citizens, the rooms are filled with furniture of a bygone day including square grand pianos, a large assortment of period clothing, and items such as the 1810 bedspread made by a lady who grew and picked the cotton, spun it into thread and made the material. Or you may be interested in the bag carried by a carpetbagger in the aftermath of the Civil War. The Society also possesses files of information including pictures, postcards, documents and personal letters that serve as a resource for genealogists and researchers alike.
Tours are offered on a requested basis. A nominal fee of $5.00 is requested except during the Dogwood-Azalea Festival in April.
The house is often used by private citizens for entertaining. The first floor is available for rent including the outside grounds and large wrap around porch. Included in the fee is a caterer’s kitchen plus a number of items that help make your event a memorable occasion. For more information, click here: Rentals
The Society is operated by a board of directors who meet on the second Thursday of each month (except June thru August). The organization is a registered non- profit 501-c3 corporation. Donations are tax deductible.
The Historical Society offers three classes of membership, each entitled to one vote. The designation and annual dues are:
- Benefactor of the Society $500
- Patron of the Society $50
- Friend of the Society $20
To become a member of the Mississippi County Historical Society, send your dues payment, name, address, and phone number to PO Box 312, Charleston, MO 63834.