History Museum on the Square Grand Opening Honors Supporters
Moon Over the Mother Road honors museum supporters
SPRINGFIELD, Mo.— History Museum on the Square celebrated its grand opening in grand style on Saturday, October 5th during the Moon Over the Mother Road celebration. Featuring entertainment by the Petersen Family and Gary Ellison, Missouri’s official ragtime piano player, 130 guests gathered to honor museum supporters who have made naming gifts to the museum during the capital campaign for the construction of the new museum. Those donors include-
Rick McQueary and Mary Haseltine McQueary- Welcome Center
Gordon and Glenda Elliott and Elliott Lodging- Rail Haven Interactive
Karen Horny- Center for Archives
Linda Robertson- Curatorial Center
Gary and Bridgette Leonard- Jukebox Corner
Gene and Patsy Summers- Then and Now Table
Larry and Tracy Lipscomb- Crossroads of Country Music exhibit
Dorsey, Rocky and Laurie Levell- James Hervey Slavens Artifact Case
Mike and Cathy Long- General Price Panel, General Lyon Panel and Shawnee Artifact Case
Jeff and Kathy Munzinger- Rhoda Ray Panel and Wallace White Panel
Rick & Karen Hughlett & Rick’s Automotive- A&W Sign
The History Museum on the Square also awarded the inaugural William F. “Rick” McQueary and Mary Haseltine McQueary Keeper of the Flame Award to Rick McQueary and Mary Haseltine McQueary for their years of dedicated service to the preservation and display of the history of Springfield and Greene County. Moving forward, this award will now be presented to an individual, family or corporation making significant contributions to the History Museum on the Square and its mission.
Special recognition was also given to Kent Smith, Jr. and Linda Smith of Kenmar Construction, Allen Casey of Casey Architecture, and Community Foundation of the Ozarks for their support of the capital project. Manoli’s Jewelers and European Café each received the inaugural Torchbearer Award, given to organizations or businesses that have been significant partners with the History Museum on the Square.
The museum, which opened to the public on August 8, is located within the 104-year old former Barth’s department-store building and the one adjacent, the museum has more than 18,000-square feet of space, giving it room for continued expansion. There are three floors with eight dedicated spaces including a Welcome Center, six permanent galleries and the traveling exhibit space. The renovated basement houses staff offices, enlarged workrooms and space for volunteers and interns. visitors will be transported into an expansive space that holds within the rich tapestry of southwest Missouri’s history—as told through interactive exhibits, period and contemporary video and photography, and a treasure trove of artifacts.