July 16, 2008

Call for Papers - 51st Annual Missouri Conference on History

Proposals for conference sessions and papers are welcome on any historical topic or era. The conference is particularly interested in proposals for complete sessions, including panelists, chair, and commentator. Anyone wishing to organize a session or present a paper should submit a one-page abstract and a one-page curriculum vita by e-mail to:

2007-2008 Steering Committee
Diane Mutti Burke, University of Missouri-Kansas City
Louis Gerteis, University of Missouri-St. Louis
Patrick Huber, University of Missouri-Rolla
Stephen McIntyre, Missouri State University
Joel Rhodes, Southeast Missouri State University
Kim Schreck, St. Louis
Gary R. Kremer, The State Historical Society of Missouri, secretary/treasurer

For more information, contact:

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July 14, 2008

"The Editor is Absent" to be broadcast on KBIA

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June 11, 2008

Society Adds Sketches to Benton Exhibit

Two meaningful and humorous pencil studies by Thomas Hart Benton have been added to Thomas Hart Benton in the 1930s, on display at the State Historical Society through August 9. In 1935 Benton accepted a commission from the Missouri legislature to paint a mural in the House Lounge of the state capitol. Over the next eighteen months, the artist carefully planned A Social History of Missouri, traveling the state to find and sketch models for the people and animals that would appear in what is acknowledged as a masterpiece of Regionalist art. Two of those sketches are now on display in the Society’s main gallery.

Throughout the months of preparation for painting the mural, Benton spent many hours in the capitol building and selected people he encountered there to model for the painting. Among them was General Harold W. Brown Sr., then Missouri’s adjutant general, on whom Benton based the jury foreman in the courtroom scene. While sketching Harold Brown Sr. at his Jefferson City home, Benton met one-year-old Harold Brown Jr., who became the model for a baby being diapered in the foreground of the mural’s political rally scene.

The younger Brown later became widely known in the capital city as proprietor of the popular Zesto Drive-Ins. Now retired, “Brownie,” as he’s known, views the public display of his bare bottom with a touch of pride, noting that his depiction receives more attention than that of his father. On learning about the State Historical Society’s current exhibition, which features the original color study for the mural’s Jesse James panel and lithographs based on other scenes, Brownie offered to loan Benton’s studies of his father and himself to the Society for inclusion.

Recounting Benton’s explanation of his inscription on the drawing of the younger Brown—“to the Brown’s [sic] with apologies”—Brownie says, “He told my mother, ‘The baby is much prettier, but that’s my drawing style.’”

Thomas Hart Benton in the 1930s is free and open to the public. The State Historical Society is located on the ground floor, east side of Ellis Library on the University of Missouri campus. The main gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Tuesday evenings from 5 to 8 p.m. Metered parking is available in three nearby garages.

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May 20, 2008

Havig to Present “Studying Mass Amusements in Missouri History” at the Society

Cultural historian Alan R. Havig studies the people, places, and businesses that cater to the amusement of Missourians, and how entertainment and leisure activities affect individuals as well as communities. Havig will discuss part of his work in “Studying Mass Amusements in Missouri History” on June 3 at 5:30 p.m. at The State Historical Society of Missouri.

Havig’s talk will stem from his most recent work as editor of Filling Leisure Hours: Essays from the Missouri Historical Review, 1906-2006, but the current Stephens College archivist has hardly just appeared on the cultural history scene. His Columbia, An Illustrated History is well known to mid-Missourians, and he has documented the career of comic Fred Allen (Fred Allen’s Radio Comedy), as well as writing a history of the Shelter Insurance Company (“It’s a Proud Business”). He has also contributed numerous articles to journals and other publications.

In Filling Leisure Hours, Havig showcases fourteen pursuits that have engaged Missourians in their time away from work during the last two centuries.

Discover:

• the immigrant experience in “Fritz, our Cousin German,”
• conflicts of race in the boxing ring with “Seeking the Great White Hope,” and
• an interesting gender study of the unconventional Fannie Hurst.

Join:

• Dizzy Dean as he delights St. Louis Cardinals fans, angers grammarians, and confounds Major League Baseball management while “‘Butcherin’ Up the English Language a Little Bit’” in the broadcast booth.

“Studying Mass Amusements in Missouri History” is free and open to the public. The State Historical Society is located on the ground floor, east side of Ellis Library on the University of Missouri campus. Parking is available in nearby garages and is free after 5 p.m.

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May 05, 2008

Brownlee Fund applications due June 20, 2008

The State Historical Society of Missouri is proud to support the recording of history through the resources of the Richard S. Brownlee Fund. The Society invites individuals, local historical societies, museums, and both governmental and nongovernmental agencies documenting the history of Missouri and its people to apply for grants by June 20, 2008.
The Richard S. Brownlee Fund supports diverse research, documentation, and publication efforts. Past projects aided by Brownlee Fund grants have ranged from the Dictionary of Missouri Biography to journal articles, doctoral dissertations, oral history programs, and support for traveling exhibits.

The Brownlee Fund honors the dedication to history shown by the former executive director of The State Historical Society of Missouri. Under Brownlee’s twenty-five-year leadership, the Society’s holdings of newspapers, reference materials, and manuscripts tripled in size, and the art collection grew with new acquisitions of paintings from Missouri masters George Caleb Bingham and Thomas Hart Benton, as well as increased holdings of editorial cartoons and a contemporary art collection.

The Society awards multiple grants each year, and residency in the state of Missouri is not required. Brownlee Fund applications should be completed and returned to the Society no later than June 20, 2008. Winners of grants will receive their funds at the Society’s annual meeting in Columbia on November 1.

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April 17, 2008

Thomas Hart Benton in the 1930s

“Those who knew Tom Benton marveled that his five-foot-frame could contain such intellectual force, such physical strength and such vitality of life,” said then Society curator and Benton student, friend, and collaborator Sidney Larson at the time of the artist’s passing in 1975. “All three of these qualities personified a larger than life rugged individualism.”

Thomas Hart Benton in the 1930s showcases the artist’s individualism in lithographs, paintings, and drawings from the decade when Benton achieved prominence in American art circles. These works reflect the artist’s aesthetic and political ideas while providing insight into America’s social climate during the Great Depression.

“The 1930s were when Benton became Benton,” said Joan Stack, curator of art collections at the State Historical Society. “He committed himself to creating art that depicted the common man, representing people who were usually ignored by the art establishment.”

Thomas Hart Benton in the 1930s is free and open to the public. The State Historical Society is located on the ground floor, east side of Ellis Library on the University of Missouri campus. The main gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Tuesday evenings from 5 to 8 p.m.

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April 11, 2008

Venturing Beyond the Twilight Zone—Exploring the Legacy of Missouri’s Historic Caves

“Venturing Beyond the Twilight Zone” is free and open to the public. The State Historical Society is located on the ground floor, east side of Ellis Library on the University of Missouri-Columbia campus.

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March 26, 2008

Proposals Invited for 2009 Missouri History Speakers’ Bureau

The State Historical Society of Missouri is searching for academic and independent historians, cultural preservationists, Missouri heritage specialists, and gifted speakers to participate in its 2009 Missouri History Speakers’ Bureau. The Bureau, which provides presentations on Missouri history topics to adult nonprofit organizations, including service and church groups, has already scheduled over one hundred talks this year and is looking to keep that momentum going into 2009. Candidates should complete the application process, and submit their information by May 31, 2008.

Every year, The State Historical Society’s Speakers’ Bureau chooses presentations by both academic and independent scholars that best illustrate the history of Missouri. Proposals will be accepted based on originality and attractiveness of the topic, with attention given to the variety and richness of historical resources used to develop the subject matter. The speaker’s ability to engage a diverse range of audiences will also be considered during the review process.

To find out more about the Missouri History Speakers’ Bureau, including a list of this year’s offered programs, or to support the Society with a donation, visit shs.umsystem.edu/speakersbureau/.

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March 10, 2008

National Women’s History Project selects Taney County Famous Missourian Rose O’Neill for honor roll

The National Women’s History Project announced that Rose O’Neill, who achieved fame as an artist and creator of the Kewpie doll, has been chosen with eleven other women artists as the honor roll for this year’s theme, Women’s Art: Women’s Vision. Every year in March, the NWHP coordinates observances of National Women’s History Month throughout the country by setting the annual theme and choosing particular women to honor nationally for their work. To ensure that a diversity of art and artists are represented, the 2008 honorees were selected based on their art, their vision, their art form, their cultural background, the region in which they live and the quality and passion of the nomination submitted. O’Neill was chosen for her work as an artist and a writer as well as for her efforts in dress reform, which included designing pants for women.

For more information on the life of Rose O’Neill, visit the Society’s Famous Missourians’ Web site

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February 27, 2008

Records and Recollections: Family History Day, 2008 Miniconference

The Society will host a family history miniconference with two workshop sessions.

At 10:00 a.m., Society reference specialist Seth Smith will discuss how to use the Draper Manuscripts, a compilation of early American primary documents, as a tool for genealogical and academic research.

The afternoon session, beginning at 1:30 p.m., led by Winifred Horner, an award-winning professor of English at the University of Missouri-Columbia and founder of MU’s Campus Writing Program, will focus on writing personal memoirs. The afternoon workshop will conclude at 3:00 p.m.

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