Celebrating National Historic Preservation Month May 2009
**All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.
May 1, 2009
National Park Service-Exterior Architectural Walking Tour of the Truman Home
2-3:30pm
Join the National Park Service for an exterior architectural tour of the Truman Home and adjoining compound. The tour will focus on the home's history and architecture. Information will also be provided about related buildings such as the George Wallace home and garage which has recently been rehabilitated and repaired. The tour will begin at the front gate of the Truman Home located at 219 N. Delaware. This is a FREE event.
May 2, 2009
National Park Service-Square Walking Tour
10-11am
Join the National Park Service for an Independence Square Tour which will emphasize the buildings that were significant in Mr. Truman's life as a citizen and politician. Information will also be provided on other significant buildings along the tour route. Meet at the National Park Service Visitor Center located at 223 N. Main. This is a FREE event.
May 4, 2009
City Council Meeting
Begins at 6pm
Proclamation of Historic Preservation Month and presentation of the 2009 W.Z. Hickman Preservation Awards. Meeting begins at 6pm in the City Council Chambers in Independence City Hall.
May 7, 2009**
National Frontier Trails Museum Presentation
6-7pm
Presented by John Mark Lambertson, Director of the National Frontier Trails Museum, "Humble Habitats: America's Original, Log 'Starter Homes' " is an illustrated program on the history of log cabins in America and their construction. Lecture is free with admission of $5 for adults and $3 for kids ages 6 to 17.
May 8, 2009**
Truman Presidential Library-Office Un-veiling
Museum Hours 9am-5pm
One of the Truman Library's most popular exhibits, "Truman's Working Office," will reopen on May 8 following a $1.3 million preservation and construction project. Visitors will now step into an enclosed pavilion to experience the restored office of President Truman. Library admission is $1.25 all day on May 8th & 9th in celebration of Truman's 125 birthday. The day-long festivities will begin with the Presidential Wreath-laying in the Courtyard at 9am.
May 9, 2009
Woodlawn Cemetery Tours
10, 10:30, 11, and 11:30am
Ever wonder what's behind the impressive stone wall and beautiful caretaker's building that has long been a landmark along Noland Road? Join noted local historian John Mark Lambertson of the Frontier Trails Museum for a tour of the gently rolling hills of the cemetery grounds of Historic Woodlawn Cemetery located at 701 South Noland Road.
Come and see the resting place of early settlers, Civil War soldiers, a 19th Century African-American entrepenuer, city builders, veterans, the famous and infamous of Independence and sample some of their stories. Come and treasure the beautiful cemetery art, mausoleums, and monuments of this locally designated historic site.
Tours on the hour cover the cemetery's history, tours on the half hour speak of art & symbolism in historic cemeteries. All tours are one half hour in length. If you wish to participate in both tours, you must reserve space at both the 10 & 11:30am times. –Please note that the tours are FREE, however, reservations are required. Twenty maximum participants will be permitted per tour. It is highly recommended that you wear loose, comfortable clothing and good walking shoes.
May 12, 2009
Lunch 'n Learn
12-1pm
Bring your brown bag lunch to the Truman Memorial Building, located at 416 West Maple Avenue, for a talk by Steve Noll, Executive Director, and David W. Jackson, Archives Director for the Jackson County Historical Society on the "History and the Evolution of the Jackson County Truman Courthouse." Refreshments and desserts will be provided. This is a FREE event.
May 14, 2009
Lunch 'n Learn
12-1pm
Bring your brown bag lunch to the Truman Memorial Building, located at 416 West Maple Avenue, and join Michael Calvert, President of the Civil War Roundtable of Western Missouri in a discussion on the tradition of military headstones. Refreshments and dessert will be provided. This is a FREE event.
May 16, 2009**
Civil War Battlefield Tour
9am-5pm
"Walk back in time to October 21, 1864, when the Battle of the Little Blue was fought in Eastern Jackson County as a part of the larger Battle of Westport in the last days of the Civil War. The Civil War Round Table of Western Missouri is presenting a guided bus tour from Independence, MO into Kansas City to retrace the action of Confederate General Sterling Price's last foray into Missouri.
The tour begins at 9 a.m. at the Blue and Grey Book Shoppe, 106 E. Walnut, Independence, MO, and will end there about 5 p.m. There will be an hour for lunch on your own. Civil War historians will point out the points of interest along the Little Blue River off 24 Highway and the path of the battle across farms near Blue Mills Road. We will go by the Lawson Moore House which was used as a hospital during the battle.
The trip into Kansas City will follow the approximate route of the troops to Byram's Ford at about 63rd Street and Manchester. We will be visiting a new Civil War interpretive center in Swope Park and then proceed to the Wornall House which was used as a hospital during the Battle of Westport. The main action of the Battle of Westport was where Loose Park is located north of the Country Club Plaza. Then we will proceed to Westport where the Union generals watched the action from the site of the old Harris House Hotel.
The cost of the all-day tour is $30 a person and includes a free membership in the Civil War Round Table of Western Missouri for the remainder of the year and souvenir program book for the Battle of the Little Blue. Checks may be made payable to "CWRTWMO" and mailed to P.O. Box 3019, Independence, MO 64055. For further information contact us at or call 816 478-7648.
May 19, 2009
Lunch 'n Learn
12-1pm
Bring your brown bag lunch to the Truman Memorial Building, located at 416 West Maple Avenue, and join David W. Jackson, Archives Director for the Jackson County Historical Society for a lecture on "Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the 1859 Jackson County Jail and guided, "virtual" tour." Refreshments and desserts will be provided. This is a FREE event.
May 21, 2009
Lunch 'n Learn
12-1pm
Bring your brown bag lunch to the Sermon Community Center, located at 201 North Dodgion, and join Michael Calvert, President of the Civil War Roundtable of Western Missouri, for a discussion on the infamous Order Number 11, requiring an oath of allegiance by those in Jackson County to the Union or suffer the consequences. Hear how this devastating military action destroyed the lives and homesteads of so many in our area. Refreshments and dessert will be provided. This is a FREE event.
May 23, 2009
Third Annual Doors Open Tours: City of Independence Employee Recognition Day
10am-4pm
Come to the City’s historic sites and take a tour for free. Any full-time City of Independence employee is eligible with one accompanying guest for free admission to the Vaile Mansion, Truman Home, Bingham-Waggoner Estate, Truman Presidential Library, Frontier Trails Museum, Chicago & Alton Depot, and the 1859 Jail. Employee badge required for FREE entry.
May 29, 2009
National Park Service-Kids Discovering Architecture Program
Begins at 10:45am
The National Park Service will host a children's art program featuring the architecture of the Truman Home. The program will be a hands-on activity where children will sketch, draw, and color their rendition of the Home. A brief program on Victorian style architecture will be provided by the Interpretive Ranger prior to the art activity. Meet on the front porch of the Noland Home located at 216 N. Delaware. This is a FREE event.
May 30, 2009
Pitcher Cemetery Walking Tour
10-11am
Join local historian Kathleen Tuohey on a FREE walking tour of this famous local cemetery. Tour includes the burial site of Revolutionary War & Civil War soldiers. Meet at the cemetery entrance located at Blue Ridge Cut-off.
For more information on any of these events, contact Wendy Shay at (816)325-7419 or via e-mail at: .