Contents:
- A New Year; Renewed Efforts
- Be an Advocate for Family Reading
- Urban Museum Collaborative
- Renewing Regional Identity: A National Heritage Area In the Missouri Ozarks
- An Evening of Ghost Stories: Where the River Turns a Thousand Chilling Tales
- Reinventing the J.C. Penney Museum
- National History Day
- Welcomes New Board Members
- MHC Annual Appeal Donors
A New Year;Renewed Efforts
On behalf of the staff, volunteers, partners and board members of the Missouri Humanities Council, I want to extend best wishes to all our readers for a happy and prosperous 2011. Traditionally the beginning of a new year is the time for talking about fresh starts and new directions. At MHC, however, we had already set off in some new directions during the latter part of 2010. So rather than saying that this new year is a time for a fresh start, we are looking upon the beginning of 2011 as a time for renewing our efforts to continue following the Council’s new collective vision and fulfilling the commitments that have crystallized for us in the last several months.
Be an Advocate for Family Reading
If you are a fan of YouTube, you may have seen the humorous clip making the rounds over the holidays. A three year old pj-clad boy is opening Christmas presents and unwraps a beautiful stack of children’s books. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sv4Hpz-GI3g )
Urban Museum Collaborative
“More than bricks and mortar, containers of memory, the keepers of our stories, touchstones of our common humanity—places rooted in time but alive within the complex vibrant landscape of today—a museum without walls in our midst…”
Renewing Regional Identity: A National Heritage Area in the Missouri Ozarks?
In the last year, MHC began exploring ways of promoting and encouraging economic development in Missouri communities through initiatives that are solidly based in good humanities content. Currently, the Council is providing support to a “heritage tourism” and “humanities resource inventory” pilot project in the northeastern part of the state. Meanwhile, other projects are developing in other areas. The following article was submitted by Matt Meacham, regarding a project he is involved with in the Missouri Ozarks region, highlighting the potential for our historical and cultural heritage to be a resource for progress.
“An Evening of Ghost Stories: Where the River Turns a Thousand Chilling Tales”
On October 15, 2010, the Storytelling Festival Committee of the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau sponsored the third annual “An Evening of Ghost Stories: Where the River Turns a Thousand ‘Chilling’ Tales” in partnership with the Missouri Humanities Council and with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Reinventing the J. C. Penny Museum
The Missouri Transportation Department has designated US Route 36 as the “The Way of American Genius” to provide leverage for developing tourism in the small rural towns that are within a 36 mile zone on north and south sides. Notable innovations and innovators along the route include Samuel Clemens, Walt Disney, General Blackjack Pershing, sliced bread, the Pony Express and Hamilton’s James Cash Penney.
National History Day
National History Day (NHD), a year-long academic program for 6th to 12th grade students, is centered on historical research, interpretation, and creative expression. In Missouri, NHD is sponsored by The State Historical Society of Missouri and the Western Historical Manuscript Collection-Columbia in partnership with the Missouri Humanities Council.
Welcome Board Members
We at MHC are very happy to have Jo Sapp and Patricia Reublin as members of the Council, where the perspectives they bring as educators and administrators will be of immense value as we move forward in carrying out our mission.
MHC Annual Appeal Donors
The Missouri Humanities Council gratefully acknowledges the following donors for their contributions. Your generosity is vital for us in being able to advance our mission and make a difference in the lives of Missourians.
mail@mohumanities.org