Museums

I've written before about our weekend mini-vacations here in a post called Weekend Ramblers.  And I've written about a historical museum in Miller County, MO that we have visited several times and my husband is a life-time member of. However, in my positivity journal this month, I have written a list of museums we (either my birth family or my husband's birth family or our married family) have visited because we enjoy history, some show exhibits of people we find interesting (see my history nut blog) and some pertain to our genealogical research. 

In my journal, I will only be listing the Museum's name, city and state.  Read the labels down below the post which might give you some clues to the various surnames that we found exhibits on or genealogical information at or places that were important to our ancestors. I don't want to make this post too complicated, but if you see a leaf emblem behind the name, that indicates a important place for His 🍁 or Her 🍀 family. 

So this list of 112 museums stands for now upon publishing, but as we visit other museums or remember more, then I'll come back later to update this list. How many museums and historic sites have you visited, especially those that pertain to your family tree? 

1.  1859 Jail, Marshal's Home & Museum, Independence, MO. 
2.  Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum and Library, Springfield, IL (2015) 🍀
3.  Alexander Majors Historic House & Park, Kansas City, MO.
4.  Arrow Rock State Historic Site, Arrow Rock, MO.
5. Bates County Historical Museum, Butler, MO.  🍀
6. Battle of Lexington - State Historical Site, Lexington, MO. 
7. Battle of Westport Museum and Visitor Center, Kansas City, MO.
8. Belton Historical Museum, Belton, MO. 
9. the Big Well, Greensburg, KS
10. Bolduc House Museum, St. Genevieve, MO.
11. Boot Hill Museum, Dodge City, KS
12. Bothwell Lodge - State Historic Site, Pettis Co, MO.
13. Buffalo Bill Center, Cody, WY
14.  Bushwhacker Museum, Nevada, MO. 🍀
    
15. Christian County Historical Museum, Taylorville, IL (2015) 🍀
16. Cole Camp Museum, Cole Camp, MO. 
17.  Colorado Railroad Museum, Golden, CO
18.  Constitution Hall and Territorial Museum, Lecompton, KS. 🍀
19. Corrie ten Boom Virtual Museum, Haarlem, Holland
20.  Dalton Defenders Museum, Coffeyville, KS. (1992) 🍀
21. Dalton Hide-out Museum, Meade, KS. 
22. Dwight D. Eisenhower Museum, Abilene, KS. 
23. Felix Valle House - State Historical Site, St. Genevieve, MO. 
24. First Missouri State Capital, St. Charles, MO. 
25. Focus on the Family Welcome Center, Colorado Springs, CO
26. Fort Bliss Army Museum, El Paso, TX
27. Fort Larned National Historical Site, Larned, KS.
28. Fort Osage, Sibley, MO. 
29. Fort Scott National Historical Site, Ft. Scott, KS.
    
30. Frontier Army Museum, Ft. Leavenworth, KS.
    
31. Glen Miller Birthplace Museum, Clarinda, IA
32. George Washington Carver's National Monument, Diamond, MO. 
33. Grant's Farm, St. Louis, Mo. 
34. Grandview Historical Society Train Depot Museum, Grandview, MO.
35. Grinter's Place, Kansas City, KS.
36. Hallmark Visitors Center, Kansas City, MO
37. Hannibal Historical Museum, Hannibal, MO. (2015)
38. Harry S. Truman's Birthplace, Lamar, MO. 
39. Harry S. Truman's Library and Museum, Independence, MO. 
40. Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, Dearborn, MI
41. Illinois State Military Museum, Springfield, IL. (2015) 🍀
42. John Brown Museum, Osawatomie, KS. 🍀
    
43. Johnson County Museum, Overland Park, KS 
44. John Wornall House Museum, Kansas City, MO. 
45.  Kansas City Historical Museum, Kansas City, MO.
46. Kansas City Toy Museum, Kansas City, MO. 
47. Katy Depot and Railroad Heritage Museum, Sedalia, MO.  
48. Kaw Indian Mission, Council Grove, KS
49. Kit Carson Home and Museum, Taos, NM 🍁
50. Laura Ingalls Wilder Homes, Independence, KS and Mansfield, MO. 
51. Lawrence Visitors Center, Lawrence, KS. 
52. Legler Barn Museum, Lenexa, KS.
53. Lewis and Clark Boat House and Museum, St. Charles, MO.  
54. Lexington Historical Museum, Lexington, MO
55. Lincoln's New Salem-State Historic Site, Petersburg, IL
56. Lincoln University Museum, Lincoln, IL
57.  Logan County Historical Museum, Lincoln, IL (2015) 🍀
58.  Lone Jack Historical Museum, Lone Jack, MO.
59.  Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm Home, Olathe, KS
60. the Magic House Children's Museum, St. Louis, MO. 
61. Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum, Hannibal, MO (2015)
62.  Miami County Historical Museum, Paola, KS. 🍀
63. Miller County Historical Museum, Tuscumbia, MO. 🍁
64. Mine Creek Battlefield State Historic Site, Pleasanton, KS. 🍀
65. Missouri State Museum and Jefferson Landing State Historic Site, Jefferson City, MO.
66. Missouri Town 1855, Kansas City, MO. 
67.  Morgan County Historical Museum, Versailles, MO. 
68. Museum of the Gateway Arch, St. Louis, MO. 
69. National Airline Historical Museum, Kansas City, KS.
70. National Agricultural Hall of Fame Museum, Bonner Springs, KS 
71. National Battlefield of Wilson's Creek, Republic, MO. 🍀
72.  National Frontier Trails Center, Independence, MO. 
73. National WWI Liberty Museum and Memorial, Kansas City, MO. 
74. Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, MO.
75.  New Santa Fe Historical Society Trailside Center, Kansas City, MO.
76. No Man's Land Historical Museum, Goodwell, OK (Mom worked here during college years for Dr. McQuarter) 🍀
77. Old State Capital, Springfield, IL. (2015) 🍀
78.  Osawatomie Historical Museum, Osawatomie, KS. 
79. Pablo Agricultural Center, Blue Mound, IL (2015; permanently closed) 🍀
80.  Papinville Historical Museum, Papinville, MO. 🍁
81. Philbrook Museum of Art, Tulsa, OK
82. Pony Express Museum, St. Joseph, MO. 
83. Precious Moments Chapel and Visitors Center, Carthage, MO. 
84. Providence Hospital Medical Museum (Bethany Hospital memorabilia), Kansas City, KS 🍀
85. Ralph Foster Museum, Point Lookout, MO
86. Ray County Historical Museum, Richmond, MO. 
87. Ripley's Believe it Or Not Museum, Branson, MO
88.  Santa Fe Trailside Center, Kansas City, MO.
89. Sappington House-State Park, Arrow Rock, Mo. 
90. Science Museum, Oklahoma City, OK
91. the Science Center, St. Louis, MO.  
92.  Shawnee Indian Mission, Fairway, KS. 🍀
93. Shoal Creek Living History Museum - Hodge Park, North Kansas City, MO.
94. State Capital Museum, Jefferson City, MO.
95. Strang Carriage House, Overland Park, KS.  
96. Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum, Ashland, NE. 
    
97. Strawberry Hill Historical Museum, Kansas City, KS
98. Stauth Memorial Museum, Montezuma, KS
99. St. Joseph Hospital Medical Museum, Kansas City, MO. 
100. Thomas Hart Benton -- State Park, Kansas City, MO.
101. Tippecanoe Battlefield & Museum, Battle Ground, IN.
102. Trail of Tears - State Park, Jackson, MO.
103.  Truman House, Independence, MO. 
104.  Union Station Science City Museum, Kansas City, MO.
105. War Eagle Air Museum, Santa Teresa, NM.
106. Watkins Woolen Mill - State Park, Lawson, MO. 
107. Western Historical Trails Center, Council Bluff, IA. 
108.  Westport Historical Society Museum, Kansas City, MO. 🍀
109. Wonders of Wildlife National Museum, Springfield, MO.
110. Wonderscope Children's Museum, Red Bridge Road, south Kansas City, MO. 
111. Wyandotte County Historical Museum, Bonner Springs, KS
112. Young-Truman Home, Grandview, MO.
     

MUSEUMS WE WOULD LIKE TO VISIT:

1.  Mather House Museum, Port Jefferson, NY (for Earline Spinney's clock collection) 🍀

2. Morton County Historical Museum, Elkhart, KS  🍀

3. Santa Fe Trail Center Museum, Larned, KS. 🍁

4. Wyckoff House, Brooklyn, NY 🍁

Updated: 3/31/2023

Preacher Man

My husband and I have been listing the men of the cloth in our families. Some are ancestors and some are cousins. They may be by blood or by marriage. Some I have written short biographies for and they are linked in.  

I have also listed our family faith backgrounds where known. 

This list will be on-going as we identify those men and women in our families who heard and obeyed a calling to serve as ministers or missionaries of God.

HER's
Rev. Millard M. AKERS (1890-1945), Church of God (Anderson, IN)
Elder David BARROWS (1835-1918), Primitive Baptist
Eld. Ira BOONE (1809-1866), Primitive Baptist
Eld. Isaiah H. BOONE (1802-1835), Primitive Baptist
Eld. Thomas BOONE (1785-1855), Primitive Baptist
Rev. Robert ELKIN (1745-1822), Separatist Baptist
Rev. Israel FRANCO, Church of God (Anderson, IN) 
Eld. Jabez HAM (1796-1842), Primitive Baptist
Eld. Stephen Peter HAM (1836-1908), Primitive Baptist
Eld. Abraham HOLLIS (1804-1870), Primitive Baptist
Rev. Arnold E. LARUE (1924-1997), Wesleyan
Rev. James E. LARUE (1903-1981), Wesleyan
Rev. Timothy PUSEY , Nazarene
Miss Edna F. THIMES (1914-1995), Church of God (Anderson, IN) Missionary Nurse
Rev. Ervin C. TIPTON (1900-1977), Methodist
Eld. Martin WHITE (1802-1862), Primitive Baptist


Baptist including Primitive Baptist; Catholic; Church of God (Anderson, IN.); Disciples/Church of Christ (Campbellite, Christian); Methodist; Nazarene; Quaker. 


+ + + + + + + + + +

HIS
Eld. James ASHTON (1641-1705), Primitive Baptist
Rev. Henry LOVEALL (1694-1778), Freewill Baptist
Rev. Morgan MORGAN (1737-1797), Episcopalian
Rev. Thomas MUSICK (1756-1842), Baptist
Rev. Wayne Sawyer, Nazarene 
Rev. James SIBBITT, Presbyterian
Eld. William David SCRIVNER, Jr. (1855-1924), Baptist
Rev. Alexander SULLENS (1830-1905), Disciples of Christ
Rev. Edward E. SULLENS (1865-1942), Methodist
Rev. Enos A. SULLENS (1867-1934), Methodist
Rev. James SULLENS (1860-1908), Methodist



Baptist including Primitive Baptist;  Catholic;  Church of God of Holiness;  Disciples of Christ;  Episcopalian;  Jehovah Witness;  Lutheran;  Methodist;  Nazarene; Presbyterian


Post compiled by Dolores J. Rush. Updated: 9-6-2022. 

Brick Walls

"Brick Walls" are when you've come to the end of your ancestral line research and you can go no farther. If you can't break through, because information is not available to you at that precise moment or what you found may be incorrect, then you might have to take a little detour around the brick wall. Find another family expert and pick their brains to see what they know, however, be forewarned, some genealogy nuts are harder to crack than others. 

"Even professional genealogists have brick walls and need other genealogists, with specialties in those areas, to help them out." ~ Christa Cowan, Ancestry.com

I've been researching one particular ancestor, Martin White,  and have found much new information which  has enriched the historical environment he lived in. I have found some of his FANS (friends, associates, and neighbors) and, with the help of others, have uncovered journals and letters by his FAN's and family.
  

Church Records and Christian History

Recently, our church cleared out some closets. The matter of what to do with old church documents such as address directories, baby dedication records, baptismal records, board minutes, old Sunday church bulletins, death records, membership transfer records, old newsletters, and so forth came up for discussion. To my knowledge, the collection hasn’t been cataloged since our 50th anniversary celebration several years ago and boxes, photograph scrapbooks, and filing cabinets have been stashed away in various available cubbyholes in our church.

Grandview Church of the Nazarene

These papers are not only important to document our church family history, but are also important to family historians/genealogists as well as to Christian university students and seminarians for various research papers and projects. American civic vital records only go so far back, so then, one may find information on ancestors in church records if they still exist.

David has always been interested in Christian history since his student days at Mid-America Nazarene University in Olathe, KS., particularly the Reformation period. I only became recently interested in church history when we began to homeschool our son in his fifth grade year of elementary school. We looked for a Christian-based history curriculum beginning in our home states since we live close to many important US history sites we could visit on field trips to supplement the curriculum. Not finding any, I began my own little research project which has since "blossomed” into a bigger project than I realized, namely, a timeline of Missouri and Kansas Christian history and two family history-related blogs, this one and the History Nut. 

Some time ago, David and I went to a genealogy lecture at our local Genealogy library. Angela N. Stiffler, former director of William Jewell University's Partee Center at Liberty, MO. was one speaker and the other was Barbara Bueller, herself a Lutheran. Both spoke of the importance of Christian and family research in Missouri which has been gleaned from church, ministerial, and district accounts. Since that time, I’ve gotten acquainted with Nancy Erhlich, a Heartland Presbyterian Church Historian and Stan Ingersol, the Nazarene Archivist. They all say the same, either keep your collection together (some churches now have a heritage room), transcribe it into a church history book (send a copy to your local genealogy library) or donate it to your local denominational archivist before you toss the records in the trash bin. Paper copies are best as technology changes way too fast. Family historians will thank you.

A Transcribed Example of Church Minutes:
Lulbegrud Primitive Baptist Church Minutes: 1793-1804. 

Example: a copy of my husband's church membership transfer document. Click on image to enlarge if you wish to view details.

More Repositories and Archives: 
Allen County, Indiana Public Genealogy Library Bible Records 
Bible Records Online

Primitive Baptist Library, Carthage, Illinois. Head Librarian: Eld. Robert Webb.

Compiled by Dolores J. Rush. Updated: 2/17/2020