Cedar County Historical Society meets

by Connie Maupin

The Cedar County Historical Society held their first meeting of 2018 on Jan. 29 in the museum in Stockton. Members in attendance were President Judy Nichols, Vice President Judith Cain, Secretary Connie Maupin, Treasurer Shirley Potts, Luella Phipps, Sharyl Henry, Anna Laura Hopkins, Kenneth Potts, Chris Barber and Bob Phillips.

President Judy Nichols called the meeting. The November minutes and Treasurer’s report were approved.

Judy Nichols reported that we have ink cartridges to recycle but each must be individually wrapped in a square of, small bubble size, bubble wrap and then packaged to ship. This is a very time consuming job and some assistance would be appreciated. Vice President Judy Cain suggested that members who work at the museum on open days might do some of the work.

A Spring white elephant sale was again discussed. Members decided to accept clothing that is still sealed in original packaging or has original tags still attached. All items donated for the sale must be clean and usable. Saturday, April 7, or 21, are tentative dates for the sale. Anyone wishing to donate items may contact Judy Nichols at 417/276-7092. All items must be donated by Monday, April 2.

Glenda Pate asked for ideas for the Society membership newsletter. Members agreed that they liked the 100 year news items and local stories.

Judy Nichols informed us that the museum is in need of a large roll of (small bubble size) bubble wrap, bottled water, paper towels, small dessert plates and Scotch Brand tape; glossy surface rather than matte. Best Choice brand water and paper products are preferable because the Society uses the labels as a fundraiser.

Bob Estes reported that he is still working on the maps and an index for his book on how to locate cemeteries in Cedar County scheduled to go to print in April or May.

Leslie James, Missouri State Archivist, donated a letter from Lucas Woodward written in 1854. There were some other archival donations that will be presented at the next meeting.

Society Book Review this month is: The Era of the One-Room Rural School in Cedar County, Missouri. The author, Jean Nipps Swaim, was a native of the county and retired school teacher. She interviewed over 250 people compiling information on all of the rural schools in Cedar County, including the Colored School in the southeast part of Stockton that was open from 1880 to 1905. She also gathered information from the rural school record books that were kept in the vaults at the El Dorado Springs and Stockton Schools. Besides many tributes to individual rural teachers, each school section includes information gleaned from public records, interviews with former students and neighbors and a list of many families whose children attended the school. The book is fully indexed and is available for purchase for $20 or $24 (which includes shipping and handling) through the Society.

The museum will resume open days in April on the first and third Saturday of the month on April 7 and 21 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. It will also be open during the monthly meeting on the last Monday of the month, Apr. 30, from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. at 106 West Davis Street in Stockton. The museum is located one block north and one block west of the square. The Society is not tax funded and depends solely on donations, fundraisers and sales of historical publications.

For information, appointments or to purchase our publications, call Judy at 417/276-7092 or Shirley at 417/276-3337, by email at cedarcomohistsoc@gmail.com , on Facebook at “Cedar County Mo Historical Society” or by mail at P.O. Box 111, Stockton, MO 65785.