George Caleb Bingham’s Uncivil Civil War

Contributed by Richard Edwards, Education and Special Events Coordinator

 2011 presents a unique opportunity for Missourians to commemorate two important events: the 200th anniversary of the birth of “The Missouri Artist” George Caleb Bingham, and the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War. The Friends of the National Frontier Trails Museum decided to combine these two narratives into an exciting new seminar for teachers titled “George Caleb Bingham’s Uncivil Civil War” to provide participants a special insight into the war and the border conflicts that devastated western Missouri/eastern Kansas before and after the War Between the States. The title of the seminar reflects Bingham’s strong feelings associated with the harsh realities of the war, in particular what he saw as the attack on the civil liberties of residents in the border region by occupying federal troops. Although a staunch Unionist, Bingham regarded the imposition of martial law as an uncalled for breach of the principles and protected rights as articulated in the Constitution. Because our region figures so prominently in both storylines our seminar planning team thought this would be an ideal subject for our students to explore. The topic also allowed us to partner with other museums in the metro and support their special programming and exhibitions.

 The template we used for the organization of the week is a successful one we created several years ago which provides a diverse array of lectures, “hands-on” workshops, field trips, as well as teaching strategies sessions.  There was plenty of opportunity for students to engage the speakers in meaningful discussions and ask questions. We have learned from past seminar experiences that often the most successful learning occurs during these moments. Although noted scholars presented the latest in scholarship, students were also able to visit sites related to the Civil War and Bingham as part of two day-long “rolling classrooms.” Our first field trip took us to Lexington, Missouri for an in-depth investigation of the important “Battle of the Hemp Bales.” We visited the battlefield and Anderson House for special guided tours, toured the Lexington History Museum to learn more about the town and earlier inhabitants, and toured the entire community and surrounding countryside with a life-long resident of Lexington whose family has lived there for generations extending back to the 1840s. Our second trip allowed us to explore numerous and unique artifacts associated with Bingham at the Truman Presidential Library and Museum that includes representative examples of his portraits and genre paintings in a special short-term exhibition, toured the Bingham-Waggoner Estate, one of several houses the artist occupied during his lifetime, the site of the infamous jail collapse which inspired one of his iconic works “Martial Law – Order #11” (painted while residing at the Bingham-Waggoner Estate in Independence), his gravesite at historic Union Cemetery, and toured the marvelous collection of Bingham’s paintings and drawings in the collection of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. We finished the day at the Alexander Majors House for a demonstration of period music, etiquette, and dance.

 Participants of the class were primarily K-12 teachers from the greater Kansas City, Missouri region seeking three graduate credits through the University of Missouri – Kansas City. This is the first year we partnered with UMKC – in past years Baker University provided the credit. Teachers were expected to produce a lesson plan that incorporates an aspect of the seminar into a classroom activity that spans 1-3 days. The lesson plans will then be made available to other teachers at the museum and at some point in the future on our website.  Over the years we have accumulated hundreds of lesson plans on a wide range of topics from westward expansion to American Indians of the Midwest.

 In addition to educators the seminar also attracted a number of citizens who were interested in learning more about the topic. A total of 24 people enjoyed a week full of learning that inspired and excited them all. Most important of all, it instilled in them a deeper appreciation and understanding of a time and place removed from them by 150 years, but which still defines the character of the people of our region and shapes their identity. The Missouri Humanities Council supported this effort by awarding a grant of funds that enabled us to engage speakers and implement our plans for the field trips. Young Matrons of Independence, a non-profit charitable group also provided financial assistance for the seminar. 2011 marks the 6th year of collaboration between the Friends of NFTM and MHC in providing K-12 teachers opportunities to earn graduate credit while learning about our shared cultural heritage. This partnership has allowed us to reach hundreds of teachers and through them thousands of Missouri students and their parents. This important form of outreach into our community would not have been possible without the support of MHC.

 National Frontier Trails Museum http://www.ci.independence.mo.us/nftm/

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