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Museum concludes season
By Nancy Malcom
Nevada Daily Mail
It's been another busy year for the Bushwhacker Museum and the Vernon County Historical Society.
Patrick Brophy, curator, corresponding secretary and editor of the quarterly newsletter, "Bushwhacker Musings," explained, "The activities of the society and museum are intermixed and indistinguishable." The society was organized in 1938, but became inactive during the war in 1944. In 1964 it was revived when the old jail was closed for business and the building went up for sale.
Several community members recalled that a historical society had once been formed and determined that they would revive it to purchase the jail and turn it into a museum. Funding was then, as now, a major hurdle.
The building's asking price was $6,000. The newly reformed society managed to scrape up $3,000 for a down payment and the rest was to be paid off over time.
"We decided to have a Bushwhacker Week to raise money to help pay for the building," Brophy said.
"The museum opened in 1966. Bushwhacker (Week then, now Days) was at first a joint venture of the chamber of commerce and the historical society. Now it's run by the chamber and we are just participants."
The old jail museum was the home base of the society until 1998 when they opened the expanded museum area at the current location at 212 W. Walnut. Although the building was available in 1996, the society volunteers worked through 1997 setting it up and getting the exhibits ready.
"We do a lot of work here when we're officially closed for the winter," Brophy explained. "Even if we are closed for the season after Oct. 31, someone is always here working all week days through the winter. If people show up wanting to go through the museum or do research, we will welcome them."
The museum receives no public funds. Unlike public and private museums in Kansas that receive state funding, the Bushwhacker Museum has never received city, county, state or federal money. The museum has applied for and received some grants ear-marked for specific purposes.
Grant money, however, does not contribute to the upkeep and other ongoing expenses of both buildings.
Brophy said, "The museum is funded by membership dues, visitor admissions, sales of books and souvenirs, donations, grants, and interest, roughly in that order. Book sales make about as much as admissions. Most of the books sold are our own publications. Success in selling the various titles has varied widely."
Many of the books for sale were written by Brophy and the profits from the books sales go directly to the historical society and museum. Only one book was published in 2004: "The Saber and the Ring," a historical novel and Brophy's first venture into fiction.
Other books for sale include: "Bushwhackers of the Border, In the Devil's Dominions" (a Civil War diary), "Scenes from the Past," by Betty Sterett, "K.E.P.: Selected Editorial Writings of Ken E. Postlethwaite, Readin', 'Ritin', 'n' 'Rithmetic" (rural schools book now in reprint), "Vernon County Cemetery Directory," (now being totally rewritten) and "History of Vernon County, Mo." (1887) which remains in steady demand, although the current stock is dwindling and when it is exhausted, no more of this reprinted edition will be available.
The museum offers books for sale by other authors if the subject matter is relative to Vernon County history. One such book now available is "The Enemy Among Us" (about German and Italian POWs in Missouri during World War II, including those held in Camp Clark) by David Fiedler.
Another source of income is visitors, and there are many visitors to both buildings.
Attendance for 2003 was 3,055 persons, a 12 percent increase over 2002. In 2003, 24 percent of visitors were local, 26 percent were from the rest of Missouri and 49 percent came from out of state. August of 2004 was the biggest month ever with more than 600 visitors.
Even with book sales and ever increasing amounts of visitors, funding is a continuing concern.
Like most other museums, the Bushwhacker Museum is not self-supporting. "It is in much better financial shape than a few years ago, when at times money was not on hand for a newsletter mailing," Brophy said. He added, "This is thanks to some generous gifts from individuals." "Thanks to the Moss Trust, we have an affordable facility," said Terry Ramsey, museum coordinator. The utility bills and other regular upkeep expenses can be astronomical.
Volunteers do most of the work done at the two buildings. From building walls, exhibit cabinets, and then putting the exhibits together to cataloguing thousands of documents and photos. When the historical society members and Ramsey, museum coordinator, determined that the museum's target market should be out-of-state tourist and researchers, a new plan was launched to bring in revenue. The activities of the past year show how successful that new approach has been.
For example, a temporary exhibit, Al Fenske's "Vintage Photographica Exhibit" of his collection, has been on exhibit for the whole 2004 season (officially ending Oct. 31).
New exhibits are always under construction. One new permanent exhibit is "Osage Indian in Dance Costume" featuring regalia worn by the late Ed Woodington, given in his memory by Ed Riggs and family. A Native American mannequin is on order to better compliment the display.
The Moss-Wooden Exhibit was recently completed. First tentative plans for other permanent exhibits were just received from professional designer. Maintenance landscaping work is in progress at the Old Jail. "The Master Gardeners Club has said they will help with some plants," Brophy said.
Security is being updated at both sites.
The Historical Society's quarterly meetings are free and open to the public.
In 2004, speakers offered unique and interesting presentations including: January: Patrick Brophy spoke on the diary of John G. Dryden, a pioneer of the Metz Area. This book, edited by Brophy and published by the society, is available to buy. April: Dwayne Feigner, Native American flautist and storyteller entertained. July: Genealogists Nancy Thompson and Neoma Foreman presented a program on genealogy as it applies to Vernon County. October: David Fiedler spoke on his book on WW II prisoners of war.
In January 2005, Herbalist Jim Long will speak on the history of herbal medicine, of which he is a recognized expert, and offer his herbs and publications for sale. He edited and published "It Will Do No Harm to Try It." a handwritten book of herbal remedies found at Richards and now in the possession of the museum.
Through careful planning, delicate budgeting, and thousands of hours of volunteer work, the Vernon County Historical Society has brought the Bushwhacker Museum to the attention of potential visitors throughout the Mid-West. Vernon Countians should be very proud of the professional quality and continuing efforts of all those involved in making the museum a "must see."
Brophy said, "The quality and scope of the Museum is directly determined by the generosity and support given it by the community."