Cedar County Historical Society update

by Connie Maupin

The Cedar County Historical Society held their monthly meeting Sept. 24, at the museum in Stockton. Members present were President, Judy Nichols, Vice-president, Judith Cain, Secretary, Connie Maupin, Assistant Treasurer, Anna Hopkins, Luella Phipps, Sharyl Henry, Bob Phillips and Chris Barber.

The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. The August secretary’s report was approved. The August/September treasurer’s report was tabled awaiting additional information and will be reviewed at the October meeting. President Nichols reported on museum maintenance fund activity and it was approved.

Bob Phillips regaled members with information about the old Bear Creek church which collapsed many years ago. They were interested to learn that it started as a Union Church and gradually evolved into a Methodist church. The term “Union Church” in those days would translate to mean non-denominational today. The church was built around 1897 and at one point Daniel Murphy served as pastor.

Members who attended the POPS dinner for volunteers who worked at the El Dorado picnic reported that it was a very nice event.

Caplinger Lyceum books have been reprinted by the Society and the reprint of the Civil War Lyceum book should soon follow. Judy Nichols is also working on the Jerico Springs Lyceum book.

The Society White Elephant Sale will continue at the museum during the Black Walnut Festival. There have been many new items donated. Stop by and find a treasure. The Society will also have a booth in the Stockton Park during the Black Walnut Festival where they will sell books and hold a raffle for a nice queen-size quilt, made and donated by Shirley Hedges.

The museum is in need of a current U.S. Atlas for research use. A road atlas would do nicely as long as it is recent. Judy Nichols is making a notebook of local historical maps, research information and Cedar County place names which will be quite an asset when completed.

The membership voted to allow Shady Hill Club to hold their November meeting in the museum.

Anyone who has not yet paid yearly dues, please do so. Single memberships are $15, family membership is $25 and lifetime membership is $80. Members will not receive a quarterly newsletter if they have not paid their dues by Sunday, September 30, 2018. The society no longer accepts PayPal via the internet. Checks or money orders may be made out to Cedar County Historical Society (or CCHS if you prefer) and mailed to PO Box 111 Stockton, Missouri 65785-0111 or you may pay at the museum. If you have a change in phone number, e-mail or mailing address, please let the Society know so that they may update their membership list. New members may join at anytime during the year.

The museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 6, Saturday, Oct. 20 and during regular monthly meeting Oct. 29, from 1 to 4 p.m. It will also be open Friday and Saturday, Sept. 28 and 29 during the Walnut Festival. Admission is free, however the Society and museum are not tax-funded and operate on donations from the public.

The next meeting will be at 1 p,m. Monday, Oct. 29, at the museum, 106 West Davis Street, Stockton. Meetings are open to the public and free coffee is provided. The museum is wheelchair accessible. For information, appointments or to purchase publications, call 417-276-1142. Contact the society by email at cedarcomohistsoc@gmail.com, on Facebook at Cedar County MO Historical Society or by mail at PO Box 111, Stockton, Missouri 65785.