Expanded Index for book since we were limited to only two pages.

Updates to Carthage Picture Book

Jasper County, Missouri, in the Civil War by Ward Schrantz

The Carthage Kiwanis Club has reprinted this 1923 classic in paperback just in time for the 150th Sesquicentennial of the Civil War.  Title is available through the Powers Museum (in season) or at Oldies & Oddities mall on the westside of the Carthage square (Sun.-Sat. 10 am to 5 pm).  Museum can do mail order on this title as well.  Send check or money order for $25.00 for book and shipping to PO Box 593, Carthage MO 64836.  Call 417-237-0456 for further information or consult this <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">link.</span></span> 

Other Museum Shop offerings can be found <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">here.</span></span>

PAST MUSEUM GRANT PROJECTS 

Missouri Historic Records Advisory Board and State Archives Grant Projects: Archival Collection Finding Aids
Finding Aid #1 2001-03 project

Finding Aid #2 2004-05 project

Missouri Digital Heritage Initiative (LSTA Digitization Grant 2006) -- Riches from the Earth: Geological and Industrial Heritage of Jasper County, Missouri, 1865-1965

Looking for volunteers to help update all three of these projects.  Contact museum if interested.

ADDITIONAL EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES AND LINKS

Famous Carthaginians featuring famous former residents from the past (ie. deceased).

Jasper County Stone/Mine Project Website   

Civil War Sesquicentennial & 2010 Lee & Grant Traveling Exhibit Resources                                                                       

Black History Month (February) Carthage Black History Month on Facebook. 2012 Album

Women's History Month (March) 2006 Tribute or Women's History Month Album on Facebook (link coming in April). 2012 Album

Native American History Month (September)                                      

Hispanic Heritage Month

More Powers Museum Educational Resources  

And what about the cupboard pictured at the top of the page?

It was a product of the Connersville Cabinet Company of Connersville, Indiana, and the Powers Museum does hold an actual example of this piece, which due to its size and weight, is one of the few things that does not get rotated in the main gallery!  The actual illustration at the top is a detail view from a larger sheet of cabinets and secretary/desks manufactured by the company (shown here).  The featured cupboard is pictured on the bottom row, second from the right.

The cabinet was sent to Curtis and Nira Wright for an anniversary gift shortly after the Wrights arrived in Carthage, Missouri, and was sent to them by former employees of Mr. Wright's at the furniture Company.

When Curtis Wright decided to come to Carthage in the late 1880s, he sold his interests in Cooley-Morrison Furniture Company and the firm was then reorganized into Connersville Cabinet Company and Curtis' brother Nathaniel Wright remained with the firm.  Curiously enough, Sedalia, Missouri, tried to entice Curtis Wright to settle there and operate a furniture factory, but always interested in geology, Wright was swayed by the promise of greater rewards from the mineral boom that was going full force when he visited this region in the late 1880s.  (For more info on the lead, zinc and limestone resources in southwest Missouri, click here.)

Museum staff and volunteers have not been able to research the various furniture companies in Connersville, Indiana, and the museum does not  have information on "hope chests" made by Connersville Furniture Company, circa 1915—35.  At this time we are unsure if the Wright family was still involved in the Connersville Furniture Company during this period.  Also, we are unable to give valuations or appraisals for Connersville furniture pieces.