 George
W. Somerville organized the first Grand River Historical Society
meeting held on Tuesday, November 16, 1954. Meetings were held
on the second floor of the Livingston County Library beginning
February 15, 1955. Mr. Somerville served 11 years as president.
Mrs. Minnie Hedrick was Vice President and Miss Roberta Perrine
served as Secretary-Treasurer.
The purpose
of the historical society was to "secure, restore, and
preserve the history of the Grand River Valley and North
Missouri; to keep papers, documents, tools, and works of art
used by pioneer settlers; and to keep objects intact for future
generations."
Charter
Members: George Somerville, Mrs. Hedrick, Miss Perine,
Howard Rion, Joseph Stewart, Miss Kate Johnson, Miss Mabel
Cranmer, Mrs. Alice Kesler, Mrs. Elsie Somerville, Mrs. John
Elliott, Mrs. Lillian Meinershagen, Julius Meinershagen, Mrs.
Harriett Casebeer, Harry Cole, Bill Cole, Kirk Marshall, Leo
Hopper, William Stillwell.
Mrs. Kathryn
Racine became the second President January 14, 1955, followed by
Earle Teegarden, Sr. on October 12, 1967.
By-laws
were adopted in January of 1970 under the 4th president, Howard
Leech. Willa Jane Smith was elected the 5th president of the
society, and Dr. Frank Stark was named 6th president in 1984.
Co-curators were Jane Stark and Dr. John R. Neal.
Original
Fund Drives: Mr. and Mrs. I.W. Waffle - $25,000 gift if
matched for building, residue of estate ($42,000) for operation
and maintenance (interest only) held in escrow; I.W. Waffle
matching fund drive was held in May of 1977 with Dr. John R.
Neal acting as fund-drive chairman.
The present
museum was a gift from Mr. Murray Windle and Mrs. Pat Webber
(daughter). After being remodeled in 1978-79, it was dedicated
on September 23, 1979. The first full summer of operation was in
1980.
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Our board
meets on the second Tuesday evening of the month at the museum
located at 1401 Forest Drive in Chillicothe, Missouri.
Our 2010 board
members are:
- Marvin Holcer, President
- Mary Underwood, 1st. Vice
President
- Doris Packham, 2nd Vice
President
- Jerry Nibarger, Treasurer
- Nancy Hoyt, Secretary
- Louise Reasoner
- Kelly Poling
- Chuck Shouse
- JoAnn Shannon
- Laura O'Donnell
- Everett Shipp
- Benny Simpson
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Our
facility... our main museum building was donated by Murray
Windle and Pat Webber (his daughter). The building was located
in what was then known as Veteransville and served as the garage
for the Chillicothe Business College campus. In this building, you will see the
railroad exhibit with a working train whistle and enjoy the
display of Native American artifacts, as well as much more.
Visit our exhibits page for more
details...
Click
for a closer view...
The second
exhibit room in our main building was opened in May of 1977 and
was remodeled in 1978-79. It was constructed through a matching
fund drive with the Hedrick Foundation. This area is dedicated to Main Street
with displays of a soda fountain, mom and pop grocery store, a
dental office, and memorabilia from the Chillicothe Business
College and the old
Chillicothe High School, plus much
more...
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| Click
photos for a closer view... |
In 1998, our annex building was constructed
east of our main building. This building was made possible through
funds donated by the Hedrick Foundation, the Roger A. Browning
Foundation, and the American Legion Vern A. Glick Post 25 and
Ladies Auxiliary. This building houses our antique
vehicles, including the old fire truck featured below. For more
vehicle photos, visit our exhibits page...
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 Dr.
F.A. Wood's Sarsaparilla Depression Era glass, a railroad
depot counter, and a small tribute to the history of Chillicothe High School are
among exhibits at the Grand River Historical Society Museum.
The museum has developed into a great community asset largely because of
people who have donated items throughout the year. "People have been very
generous," Dr. Jack Neal, former museum curator has said. Neal also noted that the society has talented people who
volunteer their time organizing pieces into attractive displays. During special occasions,
the museum features demonstrations of spinning, weaving, or other crafts.
One of the most visible additions to the museum is a replica of a
railroad station counter just inside the museum entrance. The counter most recently was
located in the old McDonald's restaurant in Chillicothe. Owners, Al and Cathie
Habiger,
donated the counter to the museum when the new McDonald's opened. Another
addition is
an aisle marker rope that was used at the former Ben Bolt Theater. For
more on our exhibits, click here...
Pictured above:
Dr. Frank Stark watches as workers place brick around the sign at
the Grand River Historical Museum front entrance. Photo by
Chillicothe News (C-T).
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