History of Monett buildings, transformations in technology on display

By Jessica Breger Special to the Monett Monthly

As a new year begins, it is often the time to reflect on growth and change.

As a city based on trade and transportation, Monett has embraced the concepts of growth and change since its establishment in the late 1800s.

The Monett Historical Society and Museum offers several rooms to explore the city’s history, but some displays directly show how the city and the world around it have changed and grown throughout the years. 

Hanging in the lobby, guests are met with a photo display of the museum itself, showing the changing facade over the decades. 

The building did not always house the Museum and the display shows how the building, formerly Monett State Bank, changed its face and then had it restored as the now Monett Historical Society and Museum. 

The Museum sits at the corner of Broadway Street and Fifth Street and even the building itself is a historical site.

Built in 1903, as the Commercial Bank of Monett, the bank changed its name in 1901. Today, the building housing the Museum still bares the name “Monett State Bank” above the entry. 

The structure was restored in 2017 and became home to the Monett Historical Society and Museum.

Moving further into the Museum, guests see not only the changes to their hometown over the years, but the changes in technology, home entertainment and society in the world around Monett as well. 

A new display now shows how technology has changed throughout the years starting with typewriters, physical calendars, radios and cameras — showing the development of new technology and guiding guests along the journey from each as individual inventions to the collaboration of these items to the smart phone. 

The display lays out the multiple devices, showing not only how far the technology has come, but also showing in a live setting, the size and functionality of each device, putting into perspective the ease of the smartphone and all the advancements that lead to it.

The display also shows how these advancements were pushed against and doubted by powerful people. It even quotes President Rutherford B. Hayes in his doubts that the telephone would gain popularity.

Along with communication advancements, the Museum also houses a display of several home entertainment devices from radios to televisions. 

The outdated devices show the different methods and materials used throughout time to transmit images and sounds to our homes. 

The Museum welcomes guests to explore the changing world around them with these displays as well as many more exploring local changes in transportation, schools and city developments. 

The Museum is open five days a week, Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.