Exhibit opens Sunday, March 6
The exhibit at the Waters Boone County Museum on Missouri’s Civil War offers visitors a chance to see history in a way is hasn’t been presented before. The sesquicentennial observance of the Civil War gives all Americans the chance to look back on the period. For most Missourians, the war years were struggle between hearts and minds—between social observance and private sympathies.
The Civil War exhibit is progressive, giving visitors something to come back to later, as more information is added. Features include a progressive battle map, focusing first on the Missouri battles fought during 1861. A timeline shows cultural and historic events in the state and nation, as well as events on the world stage, helping to put the war into perspective. Both the map and timeline will be updated every four to five months, following the progression of the war through 1865.
A tableau sets a real stage in which mannequins present a snapshot of life during a particular aspect of war. Boone County’s Henry Martyn Cheavens has set up camp in the woods of Boone County, where he awaits word for his commander about the time and place of the next engagement. Future tableaus will feature the work of field surgeons, medics and nurses in a military camp hospital, and an officer’s tent, among others.
Research and exhibit coordination done by a number of BCHS members helps tell the story of local battles, the role of women, life as a slave in Missouri and martial law in the state as the war continued.
Civil War Committee Chair Bill Berry, along with Linda Matteson and Jack Chance have all contributed long hours to mounting the exhibit. The society was fortunate to have the help of Becky Anderson, Julie Grillion, and Craig Forrest in research and exhibit construction. Special thanks is also due Joanie Sorrels and Frank Bowman for their loan of research materials that helped fill out several areas important to the history.
The exhibit will remain on display through 2013.
