Floods, Fires, and Buried Trains: Immigrant Stories of the Historic West Bottoms
The bustling, often chaotic, West Bottoms of the late 19th and early 20th centuries attracted dreamers of every stripe. Immigrants to Kansas City arrived by trains and horse-drawn conveyances seeking a better life in the fetid air perfumed by the stench of manure, burnt coal, and stale beer from nearby packing houses and saloons.
BALLOT THEFT: BURGLARY, MURDER, COVERUP – Blue Springs South
Gary Jenkins tells the story of how President Harry Truman asked James Pendergast to stop local Fifth District congressman Roger Slaughter from being reelected. The Kansas City Mob rigged the election. When their machinations were discovered, the mob blew a safe, stole the evidence, and then committed murder to cover up their actions.
Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup – Midwest Genealogy Center
Gary Jenkins tells the story of how President Harry Truman asked James Pendergast to stop local Fifth District congressman Roger Slaughter from being reelected. The Kansas City Mob rigged the election. When their machinations were discovered, the mob blew a safe, stole the evidence, and then committed murder to cover up their actions.
Abandoned Midwest (Hybrid)
Across the heartland, abandoned and forgotten towns hold relics of lives, dreams, and businesses. Photographer Regina Daniel shares reminders of the past through stories and photos of Midwestern ghost towns.
Rollin’ Down the River: Exploring the Mighty Missouri – Midwest Genealogy Center
In 2016, Larry Campbell spent seven weeks following the Missouri River by car from its (official) source in Three Forks, MT to where it empties into the Mississippi River near St. Louis. Pictures, stories, history, scenery, and people – all are built into this armchair-traveler presentation.
Rollin’ Down the River: Exploring the Mighty Missouri – Blue Springs South
In 2016, Larry Campbell spent seven weeks following the Missouri River by car from its (official) source in Three Forks, MT to where it empties into the Mississippi River near St. Louis. Pictures, stories, history, scenery, and people – all are built into this armchair-traveler presentation.
Rollin’ Down the River: Exploring the Mighty Missouri – Woodneath Library Center
In 2016, Larry Campbell spent seven weeks following the Missouri River by car from its (official) source in Three Forks, MT to where it empties into the Mississippi River near St. Louis. Pictures, stories, history, scenery, and people – all are built into this armchair-traveler presentation.
Preserved! The 1859 Jail Museum
David Jackson, local historian, will be presenting information about his book “Lockdown” and will be giving an overview of the history of the 1859 Jail.
Credit Where Credit Is Overdue: The World War I Valor Medal Review
Timothy Westcott, Damon Grosvenor, and Martin Roberson of Park University’s George S. Robb Centre for the Study of the Great War, talk to the Library’s Anne Kniggendorf about their ongoing research into African American, Asian American, Hispanic American, Jewish American, and Native American service members who may have been denied the Medal of Honor due to racial or religious discrimination.
House History Boot Camp
Join us for a comprehensive course that delves into the art of house history research. We’ll guide you through the wealth of resources available in the Missouri Valley Room and introduce you to digital tools that can be accessed from the comfort of your own home.