Ben Ferrel Museum Opens for 2012 Season
The Ben Ferrel 1882 Museum, located at 220 Ferrel Street, Platte City, MO, opened the 2012 season on April 12. The museum is located in the historic Ben Ferrel home.
The home is totally furnished on the first and second floor with furnishing owned by Platte County, MO families, all dating prior to 1900, and many items brought with the original settlers. The present special display is of hand made farm implements and household items, all belonging to the family of Martha Noland who settled in Platte County in 1843. Special displays are changed every two months.
Docents are on duty every Thursday, Friday and Saturday for tours of the home, and/or to do research in the lower level genealogy research room and archives, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. until October 13. Five dollars per person for tours and children under 12 admitted free. Platte County Historical Society members admitted free.
2011 Christmas Tour
Enjoyed by All Who Attended
The annual Christmas Tour was a big success this year, thanks to our volunteers under the direction of Rosie Wade. The Tour was held in late November and early December with the theme “Twas the Night Before Christmas”. The Ben Ferrel Museum was decorated in grand style for the Tour. Here are some pictures taken during the event.
Top row, left to right, a Santa Claus doll was displayed on an upstairs window ledge in a bedroom; the Sugar Plum Princess, Chelsea Greenough, was on hand to delight visiting children as Phil Schroeder and his wife Freda look on; the Museum staircase railing was wrapped with festive holiday decor; two of the Christmas trees that adorned the first floor; and far right, professional violinist Ronda Adams graced the event with her beautiful and inspiring music.
Bottom row, l to r, the piano in the DAR room was decked out; volunteers Sue Dearnley, Phil Schroeder and Martha Noland sit and admire the decorative dining table; and the musical quartet Kindred Spirit provided lovely caroling during the Open House.
Awards Presented at 2011 Fall Society Dinner
Jim Spawn Receives the 2011 Betty Soper Award
Jim Spawn (C) received the 2011 Betty Soper Award. Standing on Left is Betty Soper. On the right is Jim's wife, Melissa Spawn
This award is presented annually to an individual who has displayed outstanding work in preserving the history, architecture, or genealogy of Platte County, Missouri. The award was presented at the fall dinner meeting of the Platte County Historical Society (PCHS) on October 23. Jim directed the work of erecting and dedicating the Red Crown Marker that marks the site of the 1933 shoot-out between Platte County law enforcement and the infamous Bonnie and Clyde gang.
The marker was unveiled in a ceremony on July 19th in the parking lot of the Ambassador Building, south of KCI. Jim also was the innovator and inspiration of the Bonnie and Clyde Symposiums held in 2007 and again on July 19, 2008, the 75th anniversary of the shoot-out at the Red Crown Tavern located just south of KCI. Jim located relatives and/or participants in the event including gang members, law enforcement officers, and bystanders. Over 350 people attended both events, coming from 14 states and as far away as Hawaii.
The symposium idea came to Jim while he was searching for something new and exciting for the Model A Club of America while they met in Platte County. Jim put together a road tour for the 100 vintage cars in the event that followed the Barrow gang’s escape route from Platte County. In 2008 Jim received the “Spotlight Award” from the Missouri Tourism Commission for his efforts including the Symposiums.
This past June, Jim received a Gold Medal at the International Automotive Media Awards in Dearborn, Michigan, for “Introduction of The New Ford” published in the July/August 2010 issue of The Restorer magazine.
Jim has been a member of PCHS since 2007 and has served both as a vice president and for a while as webmaster, during which he updated the PCHS website. An Air Force veteran, Jim resides in Weatherby Lake with his wife Melissa. Congratulations, Jim, for a job well done!
2011 Society Fall Dinner Speaker
Susan Fedrizzi, on the right dressed in a Civil War period dress, pauses while her son, Joe Fedrizzi, plays a Civil War era song on his violin. Susan and Joe were the featured presenters at the PCHS Fall Dinner Meeting held Sunday, Oct. 23, 2011, at the Platte County Resource Center. Susan Fedrizzi spoke on "Civil War Stories from Platte County". Hostess was Lynn Cassity, PCHS vice president.
Red Crown Tavern Marker Dedicated
The Platte County Historical Society dedicated a marker on Tuesday, July 19th at the former site of the Red Crown Tavern. This site was where lawmen surrounded Bonnie and Clyde Barrow's gang 78 years ago on July 19, 1933.
Relatives of the tavern's original owner joined politicians, law enforcement personnel, and relatives of injured lawmen at the dedication. The marker is a tribute to the brave Platte County lawmen who battled the infamous outlaws.
Photos of the ceremony are shown above. Far left, from top, the marker is unveiled by Bobby Breen, the great-great nephew of Emmett Breen, who built the Red Crown Tavern and Tourist Camp. Middle left, current Platte County law officers were on hand for the tribute to their 1933 colleagues. Bottom left, PCHS Executive Secretary Betty Soper is interviewed by a local newsman.
Middle two photos, top, an eerie life-size photo of Bonny and Clyde was on display; and bottom, PCHS Treasurer Robert Eckert, left, and Gordon Baker were among the guests.
Far right, top, Platte County Sheriff Richard Anderson speaks at the ceremony, while ceremony organizer, Jim Spawn, officiates. Bottom, right, PCHS President Rosie Wade delivers a few words.
Photos by Fran Mattox, courtesy of The Kansas City Star's Community Faces website.
2011 Officers and Directors Installed at Spring Dinner
Betty Soper, far left, Executive Secretary for the Platte County Historical Society, poses with newly elected and installed officers and directors at the Society's spring dinner meeting held Sunday, April 17. They include, from left: James DePriest, Ken Klamm, Sharon Aring, Robert Eckert, Laverne Taulbee, Lynn Cassity, Martha Noland, and Becky Bauer. Not shown is Melissa Sampley
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