ECS JUNIOR HIGH VISITS CUNNINGHAM PARK AND HARRY S. TRUMAN’S BIRTHPLACE

What an exciting and eye-opening experience for the ECS junior high students. El Dorado Christian School Principal, Mrs. Kelly Bryson and ECS 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Jill Ash shared two very important pieces of history with 7th & 8th grade students on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. Their first history lesson: 1009 Truman Street, Lamar, Missouri, the birthplace of Harry S. Truman. “The 1+1⁄2-story childhood home of Harry S. Truman, our… 33rd President of the United States…” was in excellent condition. “The future president was born here on May 8, 1884, in the downstairs southwest bedroom. The home was purchased by the state in 1957 and dedicated as a historic site in 1959 at a ceremony attended by Truman himself. The site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1969.” Quote from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_S_Truman_Birthplace_State_ Historic_Site. The second part of their day was spent at Cunningham Park in Joplin, Missouri. This park is filled with memorials of the May 22, 2011 EF5 tornado that tore through Joplin causing over 1,100 injuries and 158 fatalities. At its widest point, the tornado was a mile wide when it struck the south side of Joplin. The students were eager, but quiet as they toured and studied the memorials. One in particular that stood out to the students: Butterfly Park. Inside this structure is a beautiful area with gorgeous landscaping and stunning memorials, several of which Mrs. Bryson read to the group. Part of this particular memorial was made with pieces of multiple items that were found in this exact area; Butterfly Park is also known as “ground zero” to the Joplin community. The student’s admired the memorials and “took everything in” about Butterfly Park’s story and beauty. Two pieces of Missouri history: close to home…closer to hearts.
Pictured in front of Harry S. Truman’s birthplace: l-r: Avery Keith, Brianna Kafer, Madison Shipp, McKenzie Cole, Brookelyn Williams, Rowan Johnson, Eleanor Blurton, Meadow Ash, Kaydince Kindle, John Pietersen, Isaac Hubbard, Cherokee Fogle, Ethan Dodson, Camren Reasoner and ECS Principal, Mrs. Kelly Bryson.