| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 2, 2007 |
CONTACT: Beth Felice (800) 357-0909 beth @ mohumanities.org |
Each year the Governor of Missouri and the Missouri Humanities Council celebrate the accomplishments of people who have made exceptional contributions to our understanding of Missouri, its people, and its stories. The Book Award recognizes an individual whose book has increased our understanding and appreciation of Missouri’s history and culture, regardless of publisher or the author’s place of residence.
Published October 2006 in conjunction with the St. Charles County Historical Society’s 50th anniversary, this book has its roots in the society’s exhibit for the bicentennial celebration of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Daniel Brown received no remuneration for the time and talent he contributed to his book. All revenue from sales of the book goes directly to the society.
Westering River, Westering Trail documents the historical events that shaped the area. Both history and geography are part of this story ― the Missouri River and the Boone’s Lick Trail, “man’s action and nature’s placements.” This history is of individuals and families, of mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, and their contributions to the development of the county.
Throughout his career as an educator, historian, and author, Dr. Daniel T. Brown has demonstrated a passion to advance the understanding of the history of St. Charles County.
He held positions from teacher to administrator in the Francis Howell School District, retiring as Superintendent of Schools in 2000. He created a 700 document and photograph exhibit of the history of the district (1821-2000) that is displayed on the walls of the district’s Central Office. The Missouri House of Representatives designated him “Official Historian of the Francis Howell School District.” Dan Brown is a founding member and board president of the Howell Foundation, committed to providing scholarships to needy students and grants to teachers and schools.
He has written another book, Small Glories: A Memoir of Southern St. Charles County and the Formation of the Francis Howell School District, and is a Life Member of the St. Charles County Historical Society having served as a board member for seven years, including two terms as President. He is a member of the St. Charles County Historical Advisory Board, appointed by the County Executive and approved by the County Council. One of Board’s primary goals is the creation of a countywide museum.
“A written ‘History’ is like a really good letter from the past to the present, and, to the distant future,” notes Daniel Brown. “But, a ‘History’ doesn’t just explain the past. It collects, and protects that past for posterity, whether posterity be our grandchildren or their grandchildren’s grandchildren. One beauty of a written ‘History’ is that it gets better as time passes, as the distance inevitably increases from its era on into the future. It steadily gains in value and purpose. Its facts and impressions, its evolutions and its images, its events and its personalities gather meaning and touch different generations of readers in different ways. What a wonderful thought! Imagine the year 2107. Students, or teachers, or grandparents, enjoying a book you wrote, appreciating ‘saved’ information, events, and images from hundreds of years earlier. What could be more meaningful than that? What could be more satisfying than that?”
These awards are based on nominations from the public, for outstanding contributions by a person, group, or organization to the humanities in Missouri. The deadline for submission for next year's awards is Friday, January 25th, 2008. To submit a nomination, please complete a one page information form, and include a one page summary and any supporting material to illustrate the nominee's accomplishments.
Missouri Humanities Council
543 Hanley Industrial Ct., Ste. 201
St. Louis, MO 63144-1905
(314) 781-9660 (800) 357-0909