History on Elm series offers free public programs at noon on the second Tuesday of the month at the State Historical Society of Missouri. Programs are held September through June. Mark your calendar and join us over the lunch hour!
No Programs Scheduled for July and August. Join us this fall!
Tuesday, Sept. 9 – "Trails Across Missouri" Presented by Dan Burkhardt
This year marks the 35th anniversary of the Katy Trail State Park, a popular recreation trail that stretches along the Missouri River from Machens in St. Charles County to Clinton in Henry County. The first section of the rails-to-trails corridor opened in Rocheport in 1990. Today, the 240 miles of trail traverses some of the most scenic and historic parts of the state. Join Dan Burkhardt, founder of Magnificent Missouri, who will discuss his latest book Trails Across Missouri - The Katy and Rock Island, which features photography of the countryside along America's longest rail trails. Burkhardt worked with Ted Jones, the father of the Katy Trail, to improve Missouri's rail trails in collaboration with Missouri State Parks.
Tuesday, Oct. 14 – Kennett Sound Studios: 30 years of Recording in Southeast Missouri
More than 350 country, gospel, and rock performers recorded at Joe Keene's Kennett Sound Studios (KSS) in Kennett, Missouri, during its almost 30 years of existence. Musician and historian Hunter Moore explores the history of Kennett Sound Studios, the stories of the people who recorded there (including Kennett native Sheryl Crow), and the important contributions KSS and other regional recording studios have made to American popular music. Moore will share photographs and music from the Joe Keene-Kennett Sound Studios Collection at Middle Tennessee State University’s Center for Popular Music. Moore's presentation is co-sponsored by Budds Center for American Music Studies at the University of Missouri.
Wednesday, Nov. 12 – Catching Hell from All Quarters: Anti-Klan Activists in Interwar Missouri
Between 1915-1930, the Ku Klux Klan experienced a nationwide revival through the enrollment of millions of new members, including tens of thousands in Missouri. Though largely remembered for its violent opposition to African Americans during the Civil War and the post-World War II Civil Rights Movement, this second Ku Klux Klan also focused on immigration restrictions, Prohibition enforcement, and political activity, combined with racism and religious intolerance. Author and SHSMO Assistant Director, Research, Sean Rost will talk about his new book, Catching Hell from All Quarters, the first state-wide study of the Ku Klux Klan in Missouri. (Due to Veterans Day holiday on Tuesday, Nov. 11, this event is being held Wednesday, Nov. 12)
Tuesday, Dec. 9 – Fingerprints and Footprints: Ray Beck's Columbia
Author and journalist Jodie Jackson’s new biography of retired Columbia City Manager Ray Beck offers insight into the longtime civil servant who helped shape Columbia from 1960 to 2006 as a sanitary engineer, public works director, planning director, and city manager. Join us for a conversation with Ray Beck and Jodie Jackson as they reflect on the 93-year old’s life and how Columbia evolved from the second half of the 20th century to the early 21st century. Fingerprints and Footprints: Ray Beck’s Columbia will be release early fall 2025 and copies of the book will be available in the bookstore at the Center for Missouri Studies.
--------------------------------------------------------------
History on Elm series explores a variety of topics each month, ranging from Missouri art and authors to unique SHSMO collections. The public is invited to attend. Registration is not required. The programs begin promptly at 12 p.m. and lasts one hour. Do you have an idea of a program or topic for this series? Let us know!
History on Elm series is held inside Cook Hall at the State Historical Society of Missouri Center for Missouri Studies, 605 Elm St., Columbia.